Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-06-15
che waswild, though


s'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
This was the secret, then! A brother
in Pentonville model prison, innocent or
guilty,,l convicted felon! 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 vague recol-
lection Of reading the trial of some bank
] robbers where the Name of StIetton oc-
Cured, but it was only a hazy memory
at best.
Hester was with her mother in a home,
even if poor one, with crime tor its 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 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 twenty -six, the papers said;
but there had come comfort at the last
hour. Two OF the gang who had been
engaged in the bank robbery had made d
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.
But he was innocent because he was
purposely kept Ignorant of their inten-
tons and had no knowledge that he was
in a 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.
twas 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 its
last sleep, Hester and her mother kept
watch together.
They had suffered most in the five
years that their lives had been separated
| %ho hol
large hospital, while Hester worked as
governess in Mrs. Evans family. Before
her fathers death there had been a 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 a living together
eyes, dear. I took the house fur
nished, for q month, thinking if Oliver
came home willing to work tor an honest
living, we would get on somehow.
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 hel
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.
Before she could speak he entered
closing the door behind him and advanc.
ing to the widow, who stood inside the
little parlor.
s:Mrs. Stretton," he said, lifting his
hat, IL have just heard of your sorrow
and I have come to ask you to let NE aio
you in any way where gentlemans ser
vices may be required. lam the brother
of Mrs. Evans
"You are very kind the widow fal
tered. "We-as you SAVIOUR trou
BE
And here the tears stit1ed utterance
and she could only turn from him anl
+ weep.
Hester lifted her eyes appealing, t
: meet Alfred's fixed upon her face.
"There Is no longer u secret between
3 us, Hester" he said IN a low tone 'sWil
! you not give me the right of a loving SO,
to comfort your mother?"
''You know all" she said, surprised
land you arc here!"
;, 81 do" he answered, gravcly; ssant
knowing your noble reason for once re
tusing me, am here to ask again tn
question asked one summer mornin!
not long ago. Even as loved you then
love you now. Hester, will you be m,
: wife,"
And she, loving him tenderly, with tn
secret of her life revealed, the Grim
wiped out by death, put her hand in hi
and let his lips press the seal of betrotha
: upon her own.
To the world Hester's secret is a secrc
: still. Society does not connect the tall
stately bride Of Alfred Graves with tn
obscure convict who came from prise
: only to die; and even Mrs. Evans wa
never told of any mystery or sorrow rest
: ing upon the life of her former governes
or the quiet widow, who sharesc tn
. Graves mansion and finds a peacefr
haven in her daughters love and the IT
spectful attentions of a man who fills
: sons place to her.