The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-02

Great excitement prevailed throughout the
village of W, in the State Of Connecti-
cut
man sentenced for life had escaped
from the prisonl
The crime for the commission of which he
had been incarcerated was the most horrible
in the calendar--murderl Branded with
the brand of Cain, be 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 bis 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.
In the village nothing else was talked of ;
this was the one great theme of the de-
lighted gossips. Some were of opinion that
tho convict had hidden himself in the
adjacent woods, while others asserted that
he must have crossed the river.
To this latter opinion the argus-eyed off,
GERS humbly inclined, which tact, becoming
known, somewhat allayed the fears enter
tanned by many of coming face to face with
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. 1t was the home of the wealthiest
inhabitant of W.
Hither he had come to pass the remain
der of his life lit was supp sedl i'll the
peace and quiet OF its beautiful surround
ings.
Mr. John Clayton and his daughter Cecil,
with their servants, were the sole occupants
of the stately edifce, which had become,
with Cecil's budding 1naidenhood, a tavorite
resort for the young gentry far and near.
The morning following the night of the
prisoners escape on descending from her
boudoir 10 the dining room, Cecil Clayton
was astonished at finding her father agita.
tedly pacing the floor.
His usual calm, thoughtful demeanor was
entirely gone. He 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 wrong-why are
you SO agitated?"
John Clayton halted abruptly as he be-
came aware of his childs presence by her
question, and endeavored to choke down his
feelings
Nothing daughter. nothing" he replied
II do not feel well. That is all" and sank
into e chair.
Cecil came forward and kuelt beside him.
''Do not tell an untruth, tatherl' she
pleaded. 'Ihis strange agitation does not
roceed from any small cause. Something
has happened since last night. What is i2
You know you always tell me everything.
Trust me now!"
Two beautiful dark eyes looked anxiously
into the old mans halt-averted face.
He hesitated.
"Speak, father, speak," she urged.
Unable longer to control himself, he an
sweled, in choked almost inartculate,
voice:
"Ned Jasper-'twas he escaped from
prison last night"
Uncle Ned! Oh, father~
The girls lips whitened as the words
issued from them.
Yes; 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 favorably
inclined. Ned has destroyed all all!'
poor Uncle Ned! how foolish OF him"
said Cecil, with ong-drawn sigh. "Wll
they kill him?' she asked, quickly.
Without replying 10 her anxious inquiry,
John Clayton went on:
Ia F,a ~ "a aAair 10 that
Neds real name may be found out l came
to this village, as you know, to he near him,
that might tighten his dreadful load Il trihe
by sending him delicacies, and gain, through
the officials of the prison, favors for him.
1t is thought that have done an act of
charity toward an unfortunate, when, were
the true state of things known, l 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 llsping 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
death. l shudder to think Of what may
result from this ungrateful, mad novel"
Cecils eve flashed. She drew her will
IOWy 10TH oItGt Huu liaSch hci hhhu "POh
the old mans shoulder as if to protect
him.
II defy Jared Clark to utter one word"
she said. "Whle l have life, you shall
never suffer at his hands He is scoun-
| drel unworthy the title of mani"
| A sad smile fitted across John Clay ton 8
face, called up by the earnestness OF his
daughter.
Dear child, what could you do to save
our GOOD name from SO willy man as
| Clark? He is acquainted with all the ways
| of the world You, q girl of seventeen,
could do less with him than could l, your
old father, whose wealth may now be of no
avail to save his daughter from the exposure
of a tainted pedigree. Which way to turn
do not know"
His agitation was increasing; his hands
trembled, and his face was distorted with
agony.
Rising from his seat he would have left
the room had not Cecil detained him by
standing directly in his path.
"Be calm, father, do" she entreated
"Money can do much, and Jared Clark il
not cailous to at influence if he is tc
everything good" Then, half child'shly
she kissed the old man and broke into {
ringing laugh. "Oh, fe, papa, you've for
gotten what day this is! You say I'm bu
seventeen; beg to differ with you sir, fo
| l am eighteen to-day, and tonight, yot
know, have my reception. Well have
jolly time"
Mr.. Clayton looked hurt. ,.,
Cecil shook her lo"". beautiful wnv'
black hair. and pretended not to notice hi
discomposllre. -,
yes" she continued, "wen have
splendid time tripping the light fantastic
on the lawn. Your friend Mr.. Everslelgf
L 4 L.. y