The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-09

must lind his wife unaltefed, waiting
for him, when he comes home."
I This was before the crushing verdict
that ended the young clerks trial.
Fortunately. the old lady owned the
little house in which she lived, her sole
legacy from her dead husband; but as
the weary months crept slowly along,
Poverty showed her ugly face in the
humble home. Hannah worked faith
fully at her old post until Mrs. Williams
was taken very i'll.
Sorrow and anxiety began to have
physical as well as mental effect, and the
mother bowed down, aged more in one
year of separation from her son than she
had ever been in ten of their loving COM
panionship.
1t was impossible to leave her alone,
and the situation Was resigned.
Nearer and nearer crept the gaunt
wolf, Poverty.
Little articles of furniture that could
be spared we're sold; little comforts were
denied; extra hours were given to the
poorly-paid sewing that replaced Han
nah's work, and yet actual hunger was
staring them in the face.
Nearly two years had John Williams
slept in a convict's cell, when one morn
ing Hannah Coyle, leaving her self-im-
posed charge sleeping, went TO- one of the
fashionable hairdressers.,
81 have come to sell my hair" she said,
choking back her tears, and thinking
''it will grow out again before John comes
home"
The proprietor led her to the hair
dressing room, and hid his amazement, at
the superb profusion under hard, half
contemptuous smile.
When Hannah left, only thirty shil-
lings had been paid her for her closely
cropped head; yet that would keep life
little longer in the feeble frame of Johns
mother, and Hannah was thankful.
She was rapidly walking home, when
she was attracted for moment by a
crowd, and her feet seemed paralyzed as
she heard a man say:
"I saw his face. 1t is Gerald Somers."
ais he much hurt?"
"Fatally, l should say. One of the
horses put its foot on his breast"
"Gerald Somersl Fatally injuredW
Hannah never paused to contemplate
possibilities.
She forced her way through the crowd
into the inner room where the young
man lay waiting for death.
"You can not 60 in"
II must 60 in! 1t is matter Of life
and DEATH" she answered. II must see
him before he dies"
Something in the white, earnest face
moved the heart of the man and he opened
the door. .-
Upon low sofa lightly covered with
sheet, lay the handsome, dissipated son
of the merchant prince.
Kneeling beside him, looking into the
white, drawn face, was the hastily-sum-
moled father, and the physician stood at
the head of the couch.
They had thought consciousness dead
in the still figure, when a clear voice
spoke the dying mans name.
"Gerald Somersp
He opened his eyes wildly, and the
clear, sweet voice spoke again in words
of solemn import:
"As you hope for mercy in the next
world, tell the truth of John Williams
innocence"
He gasped convulsively, while his faith
er bent over him, and the physician
looked inquiringly at the intruder.
"John Williams" the hoarse, dying
voice said, very feebly, "was innocent.
I did give him the check, as he said. I
wrote the signature"
"Gerald," cried the. father, "is this
trueW
ut is true, as hope for Gods mer-
cy."
There was moment of awful silence,
Then the old man turned to Hannah.
"Who are your
"John Williams promised WIFE"
"Go. l will do him Justice. Leave
me with my son."
She bowed her head and went softly
from the presence of the dying.
James Somers kept his word.
He was an upright man, and sacrificed
the name of the dead to right that of
the living.
He would not take John back.
The sight of his face was too exquisite
ly painful, but he paid him his full sal
AIRY for the time of his absence, and found
him lucrative situation.
1t was the day of the Homecoming.
| Mrs. Williams in her own chair was
smiling upon John as he caressed Han
naRs cropped head.
{ Very grave and pale his sunny face
had become in his bitter trial, but a
smile frightened it as he heard his
mother say.
"It was for me, John, she sacrificed all
her splendid hair. l can never tell you
all she sacrificed for me, but that speaks
for ITSELF"
Clasping Hannah in close embrace
he asked:
"Do you think now, mother, l might
do better?"
"Not if you could marry an Empress" "
She thinks so still, and John agrees
with her, though he has been married
four years, and Hannah's hair. is as SUI
nerh aa avar p Hf'S