The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-06-18

self, Alfred loungcd into restaurant
place neaINthc little house and called FOL
| something to eat. Close beside him two
officers of police INSPECTORS they seemed,
were discussing some provisions, ano
Alfred heard one say, $50 Stretton's time
is up! He came out of the .penitentiary
! yesterday" 2....s 3
| According to my idea,n was the reply
she ought not to have been there at all
He never did it--never!"
Gle was wild, though :. p, gs,,..y.. r..
| eyes got on q spree too often, and was
in bad company, but never had any more
hand in that bank robbery than you or l. 2
! "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, sand
won't last week consumption sss ~ =.
| This was the secret, then! A brother
in Pentonville model prison, innocent or
guilty, convicted fclon Alfred shud-
dered as he thought of the fair, stately
woman he loved, with her pure, proud
nature, daily tortured by the secret Of her
brothers crime. He had a vague recol-
lection of reading the trial Of some bank
robbers where the name of sSt1etton oc-
Cured, but it was only 5hazy memory
| at best. at....t i 49, ss." ..,aar.
Hester was with her mother in Il home,
even if a poor one, with crime tor it's in
mate, and he had no right to intrudc up
| on her grief. So he ate the food before
him, paid his bill and went out into the
street again. 1t was quite dark, and he
gave up any idea Of. returning to Guild
| ford that night, finding his way to the
West End and hotel. '.
Three days passed before he heard
again of Hester's brother, and then the
public journals told the story He was
dead. Only twenty-six, the papers said;
but there had como comfort at the last
hour. Two OF the gang who had been
engaged in the bank robbery had made /,
sworn statement generating him from
any guilty part in it. In so far he was
under the influence Of liquor, was in bad
company and was led by them, he was
guilty. .... ...a. :; -###Y8"H|
But he was innocent because he was
purposely kept ignorant Of their inten-
lions 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, final
ly death, had paid the penalty of a youth
of reckless living; but the stain Of actual
crime was lifted from his memory, and
the journals that chronicled his trial and
sentence gave publicity to his innocence
and his decease. 49, a
1t was no shame to Alfred's manhood
that his eyes were misty as he read the
obituary Of the wasted life, touched keen
ly by the closing words, "a widowed
mother and sister were with Stretton
when he died ........
Alfred could easily picture the fair,
pale face bending over the sufferers pill
low, and the low, tender voice comforting
him, though his hand had brought desc
lation into her own life.
In the chamber of death, where the still
face upon the pillow was peaceful in it's
last sleep, Hester and her mother kept
watch together.
They had suffered most in the five
years that their lives had been separated,
for the widow had been matren in
large hospital, while Hester worked as
goyerness in Mrs. Evans family. Before
her fathers death there had been home,
happy and united; but afterwards pow
erty drove them upon the world.
Mother" Hester said, softly, 81 have
saved something in these long years, and
we will settle ourselves here and we will
thy to earn living together
eyes, dear. I took the house fur
nished, for month, thinking if Oliver
IN u f.>,. ook
living, we would get on somehow. 1
had saved little, too. Hester, for him,
and now he will not need it,
"Hush! You must not weep now.
Remember how happily he died, mother,
the stain lifted from his memory, his
heart at peace. He was ready to go,
mother. My poor brother!'' -
Softly the tender lips pressed the dead
mans forehead before Hester led her,
mother away from the room. They had
not crossed the narrow passage to the
parlor when the door-bell rang, and
Hester opened the door, to face Alfred
Graves. #a%& IT, $# S4 u
Before she could speak he entered,
closing the door behind him and advanc-
ing to the widow, who stood inside tile
little parlor. H%nf
Mrs. Stretton," he said, lifting his
hat, Il have just heard of your sorrow,
and have come to ask you to let ME aid
you in any way where gentleman's ser
vices may be required. I am the brother
Of Mrs. Evans " p ~
"You are very kind" the widow fall
tered. eve as you ay-ourez trou-
BE" n
And here the tears stihed utterance,
and she could only turn from him and
weep. ...." T.. '..&5 = '".& rex
Hester lifted her eyes appealing, to
meet Alfred's fixed upon her face. 5..'|n&
"There IS no longer secret between
us, Hester" he said IN a low tone 'sWill
you not give me the right of loving son
to comfort your mother?'' ~se~..4 .~,...
"You know ALL" she said, surprised,
''and you are herc!' ..r'a-..t
II do" he answered, gravely; "and
knowing your noble reason for once re-
tusing me, L am here to ask again the
question asked one summer q morning
not long ago. Even assI loved you then,
| love you now. Hester, will you be my
| wife," a...,,E ~. -
And che lox;n~r b;,,o &orl,,l,, I'LL, IL .