The Red Cloud chief., 1879-04-10


guilty. But he was innocent because he
was purposely kept ignorant Of their in
fJentions, And had noknoslsdgvrthath be
was in q bank vault until che Hands OF
The officers Of justice were upon him
there.
Five weary -pxfsoa ysaEs, disease,
finally death, had paid the penalty OF q
youth Of reckless living; bu. the stain
OF actual crime was lifted from his
memory. and The journais that had
chronicled his trial and sentence gave
publicity TO hi, innocence and his de-
cease.
II was no shame 70 Alfred's manhood
tina. his eyes were misty Is be read The
obituary of the wasted lie, touched
keenly by the elosiag words. AVID
owed mother and sister were with Street
ton when he died"
Alfred could easily picture the fair,
pale face, bending over the sufferers
pillow, and the Low, tsnder voice com
forming him. though his hand had
brought desolation 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 tina. their lives had been separated,
for the widow had been natxon in q
large hospital, while Hester worked as
goyerness in Mrs. Evans's family. Be-
fore her fssbsr.s death thsrs had been a
home, happy and united; but afterwards
poverty drove them upon the world.
"Mother," Hester said, softly, 81
have saved something in these long
years, and we will settle ourselves here
and try to earn a living together"
"Yes, dear. Itook the house furnish
ed, for a month, thinkingi if Oliver came
home willing to work for an honest liv-
ing, we should get IN somehow. Ihad
saved a little, too, Hester, for him, and
he will not need it."
"Hush! You must not weep now.
Remember how happily he died, moth
er, the stain lifted from his memory, his
heart at peace. lie was ready to 60,
mother. My poor brother!"
Softly the tender lips pressed the dead
mans forehead before Hester led her
mother away fromthe room. They had
not crossed the narrow passage to the
parlor when the dOor-bell rang, and
HeSsropened the door, to face Alfred
Graves.
Before she could speak he entered,
closing the door behind him and ad-
vancing to the widow, who stood inside
the little parlor.
"Mrs. Stretton," he said, lifting his
hat, 81 have just heard of your sorrow,
and l have come to ask you to let me
aid you in any way where a gentleman's
services may be required. l am the
brother of Mrs. Evans" -
"You arc very kind" the widow fall
tered. "We-as you say-our
trouble -"
And here the tears stined utterance
and she could only turn from him and
weep.
Hester lifted her eyes appealingly, to
meet Alfred's fixed upon her face.
"There is no longer a secret between
US, Hester," he said in allow tone. evil
you not give me the right of a loving
son to comfort your mother?"
"You know sll," she said, surprised,
sand you are here!" g al.
81 do" he answered, gravely; and
knowing your noble reason for once re-
fusing me, l am here to ask again the
question I asked one summer morning
not long ago. Even as l loved you then,
Hove you now: Hester, will you be my
wife?"
And she, loving him tenderly, with
the secret of her life revealed, the crime
wiped out by death, put her hand in his
and let his lips press the seal of betroth-
al on her own.
To the world Hester's secret is a secret
still. Society does not connect the tall,
stately bride of Alfred Graves withthe OBJ
scure convict who came from prison only
to die; and ever Mrs. Evans was never
tod of any mystery or sorrow resting
upon the life of her former governess,
or the quiet widow, who shares the
Graves's mansion and finds a peaceful
haven in her daughters love and the re-
spectful attentions OF q man who fills a
sons place to her .-English Magazine.