Connecticut western news., 1877-08-31

new governess. Hester gave no reason, but she must go.
 It was not to spy upon her movements that Alfred, finding the governess leav- ing the house, followed her in the train that took her to London. It was only his deep, unshaken affection, the fear for her future, the anxiety to be sure all was to be we'll with her in her new life.
 She did not dream she was watched as she took cab, and, followed still, drove to small house on the outskirts of Kentish Town, where an elderly lady met her at the door and led her in weeping bitterly.
 That was all that Alfred saw, but the face of the weeping woman was Hes- ter's face, should years of sorrow and tears set their seal upon it.
 Restless and curious in spite of him. self, Alfred lounged into refreshment place near the little house and called for something to eat. Close beside him two officers of police Inspectors they seemed) were discussing some provi- sions, and Alfred heard one say, "So Stretton's time is up! He came out of the penitentiary yesterday"
 ''According to my idea,' was the re- ply, ''He ought not to have been there at all. He never did it-never!''
 He was wild, thought
 "Yes; he got on sprees too often, and was in bad company; but never had any more hand in that bank robbery than you or I.'
 "Got five years for it" said the other, ''and he's come out to die. He's over at his mothers there," jerking his thumb in the direction of the little house, "and won't last week-consumption.
 This was the secret, then! A brother in Pentonville model prison, innocent or guilty, convicted felon. Alfred shuddered as he thought of the fair, stately woman he loved, with her pure, proud nature, daily tortured by the se- cret of her brothers crime. He had 8 vague recollection of reading the trial of some bank robbers, where the name of Stretton occurred; but it was only a udAy HculOIy, dI U0SGs
 Hester was with her mother, in 8 home, even if a poor one, with criminal for it's inmate, and he had no right to intrude upon her grief. So he ate the food before him, paid his bill and went out into the street again. It was quite dark, and he gave up any idea of return ing to Guildford that night, finding his way to the West End and a hotel.
 Three days passed before he heard again of Hester's brother, and then the public journals told the story. He was dead. Only 26, the papers said; but there had come comfort at the last hour.
 Two of the gang who had been en- gagged in the bank robbery had made a sworn statement exonerating him from any guilty part in it. In so far as he was under the influence of liquor, was in bad company, and was led by them, he was guilty.
 But he was innocent because he was purposely kept innocent of their inten- tions, and had no knowledge that he was in bank vault until the hands of the officers of justice were upon him there.
 Five weary prison years, disease, finally death, had paid the penalty of a youth of reckless living but the stain of actual crime was lifted from his mem- ory, and the journals that had chroni- cled his trial and sentence gave publi- city to his innocence and his decease. It was no shame to Alfred's manhood tn at his eyes were misty as he read the obituary of the wasted life, touched keenly by the closing words, "a widowed mother and sister were with Stretton when he died"
 And he could easily picture the fair pale face bending over the sufferers pill low, and the low, tender voice comfort. ing him, though his hand had brought desolation into her own life.
 In the chamber of death where tht still face upon the pillow was peaceful in it's last sleep, Hester and her mother kept watch together.
 They had suffered much in the fiv' years that their lives had been sepa
 rated, for the widow had been matrol
 in large hospital, while Hester worked
 as a governess in Mrs Evans family
 Before her fathers death, there ha'
 been home, happy and united; bu afterwards poverty drove them out upol
 the world.
 "Mother," Hester said softly, "I hay
 saved something in these long years
 and we will settle ourselves here, an try to earn living together"
 "Yes, dear. I took the house fur nished. for month, thinking if Olive , came home willing to work for an hon , est living. we should get on somehow I had saved a little, too, Hester, fo him, and he wil5 not need it.'' 'Hush! You must not weep now , Remember how happily he died, mo ther, the stain lifted from his memory
 his heart at peace. He was ready to gt mother. My poor brother!' p Softly the tender lips pressed the dea mans forehead. before Hester led he mother away from the room. They Ina
 not crossed the narrow passage to th parlor when the door bell rang, an U Hester opened the door to face Alfre
 Graves.
 l Before she could speak, he entered 3 and closed the door behind him, an <. advancing to the widow who stood il
 side the little parlor.
 @ "Mrs. Stretton," he said, lifting h <. hat, "I have just heard of your sorro1 . and have come to ask you to let me a : you in any way where gentleman e services may be required. l am u
 brother of Mrs. Evaus." 0 EYou are very kind," the widow fs