The Morning herald., 1878-11-19

village of W, in the State of Connect
cut.
A man sentenced for life had escaped
from the prison ---..--.--..
The crime for the commission of which he
had been incarcerated was the most horrible
in The calendar murder J Branded with
the brand of Cain, he had been claimed by
Justice, to appease her vengeance
After seventeen long years of servitude,
the manslayer had, in the darkness of the
night, effected his escape by filing the bars
OF his cell, ascending to the roof and letting
himself down outside the prison walls.
With bloodhounds before them officers
and towns-people searched and beat the
wood. But every effort proved futile; the
bird had flown beyond the reach of the
hunters before the discovery was made that
he was gone. .. aI4@ sA
In the village nothing else was talked Of /;
this was the one great theme of the de-
lighted gossips. Some were Of opinion that
the convict had hidden himself in the
adjacent woods, while others asserted that
he must have crossed the river.
Tothis latter opinion the argus-eyed Off
GERS humbly inclined, which fact, becoming
known, somewhat allayed the fears enter
tanned by many of coming face to face with
a bloody man, desperate and fierce, demand
ing protection from his pursuers. So, grad
ually, the simple-hearted villagers betook
themselves again to their interrupted work,
and left the prison authorities alone with
their man-hunting.
South of the old State prison, and some
distance from it, stood handsome stone
mansion. It was the home of the wealthiest
inhabltant Of w. .&3%
Hither he had come to pass the remain
der of his life lit was supposed> in the
peace and quiet of its beautiful surround
ings.
Mr.. John Clayton and his daughter Cecil
with their servants, were the sole occupants
with Cecil's budding maidenhood, q favorite
resort for the young gentry far and near.
The morning following the night of the
prisoners escape, on descending from her
boudoir to the dining room, Cecil Clayton
was astonished at finding her father agita-
tedly pacing the floor.
His usual calm, thoughtful demeanor was
entirely gone. IA seemed racked with
emotion.
The young girl paused in the doorway,
not knowing whether to advance or retreat.
Presently she found voice to ask:
"Why, father, what is wrons-why are
you 80 agitatedY .------~
! John Clayton halted abruptly as he be.
came aware of his child's presence by her
question, and endeavored to choke down his
feelings. s 'lA." es.5 '--@e gA.L.
( Nothing, daughter, nothingp' be replied
II do not feel well. That is all;" and sank
into chair.
! Cecil came forward and knelt beside him.
I 'Do not tell an untruth, fatherp shs
pleaded. ''This strange agitation does NOT
proceed from any small cause. Something
has happened since last night. What is iR
You know you always tell me everything.
Trust me now!"
Two beautiful dark eyes looked anxiously
into the old mans half f-averted face.
He hesitated.
"Speak, father, speak, she urged.
Unable longer to control himself, he an
swered, in a choked, almost inarticulate.
voice:
"Ned Jasper-twas he escaped from
prison last night" v...g
"Uncle Ned Oh, father" -
The girls lips whitened as the words
issued from them.
eyes: he has thrown away the chance Of
pardon and fled. was sure almost that We
should succeed in our efforts for his release.
Even now the governor may be favorsbly
inclined. Ned has destroyed all-alG'
"Poor Uncle Nedl how foolish ef him"
,aid Cecil, with q long-dsewn sigh. 'WiH
they kill him?" she asked, quickly.
Without replying to hss anzioas inquiry,
John Clayton went on:
"A terrible feature Of the affair - that
Ned's real name may be found out came
to this village, as you know, 70 De near him,
that might tighten his dreadful loAd q tritis
by sending him delicasies, and gain, through
The officials Of the prison, tavors for MIN.
It is thought that have done an act OF
charity toward an unfortunate, when, were
,he true state of things known, should be
Frowned upon and our name sneered at as
being allied to that of a--a-murderer!
Only two persons beside ourselves know
this. One of those persons would sooner
think of suicide than of lisping word OF
The matter; yet the other-ah! Our enemy
the enemy Of my life-greed might now
cause him to expose all, or hound me TO
leath. shudder to think OF what may
result from this ungrateful, mad move"
Cecils eve flashed She drew her will
owy form erect and placed her hand upon
,he old mans shoulder, as it to protect
lim. .. ..... -............
II defy Jared Clark to utter one wordr'
,he said. "While I have life, you shall
never suffer at his hands. He is scoun-
lrel unworthy the title of mani
A sad smile fitted across John Olaytons
ace, called up by the earnestness OF MS
laughter. o
,ur good name from SO willy a manAas
Clark? He is acquainted with all the ways
r ihe world. You, girl of seventeen,
,0,lld do less with him than could 1, your
nj i,.ther. whose wealth may now be OF no