The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-09-22

some hand that he recognized at once
He tore it open. After a few word
of introduction the note ran
''You did the best you could for mt
on my trial, but the facts were too
strong for you. l have now a last fav
or to ask of you. die, as you know
early tomorrow. You, as my lawyer
can see ME at any time. Will yol
come as soOu rs YOU receive this, an,
win the gratitude of the man yo,
know as JAMES FoXP'
.'The man 1 know as james Fox, >
muttered the lawyer; ''the smooth
plausible scoundrel, who actually made
me believe him innocent of the hideou:
murder for which he was convicted.
can find eXtenuation for some murders,
but this cold-blooded assassination OF
an old man for money only, was revolt
ing. How he fooled me, though for a
time. And how he eXulted over his
success in doing so when. as he says.
facts were too strong. Shall 60 10
him? 1 suppose must 1t is still
early"
1t was not yet midnight when Gerard
Langton was ushered into the cell OF
the man who, in a few short hours.
| was to meet the extreme penalty of the
law AOI OuC WOiSb CIlluC.
Yet there was nothing revolving in
the appearance of the criminal. His
dress was neat, his hair carefully ar
ranged, his moustache fauitless, his
hands white and refined looking. He
rose from his seat upon the bed as his
lawyer entered Ills cell.
81 knew you would come," he said,
courteoIsly, ''though you were often
ded ut my want of frankness. Wcll,
that is all Overi You will not refuse
the last request of dying man, Mr..
Langton?''
..Not if can grant it," was the re-
ply.
This" said the murderer, sis not
my first offence against the law. Some
years ago l was sentenced for a term of
years for II forgery. BY a strange ac-
cident escaped the penalty. On the
same day James Fox was sentenced TO
two years for petty larceny. and we
were sent together to Mllbank. james
Fox-my companion, understand, not
myself-was deranged, but his lawyers
had not been able to save him. as his
alteration was not always apparent.
When we were entered upon the books
of the prison, imagine my amazement
when my fellow prisoner gave my name
for his own. Like a flash l saw the
advantage to be gained by the decep-
tion, and allowed the error to pass.
My companion committed suicide. and
1 escaped with two years. imprison-
ment, instead of seven. Bnt, / feared
recognition. and went to America.
There L lived by my wits until year
ago, when 1 returned here to try to
raise money from my wife. and thought
l saw an easier plan by committing the
crime for which die tomorrow. But
l want to see my wife. l wrOnged her
i robbed herb but Heaven is my wit
ness l loved her. When was Put in
prison she dropped my name, and >ook
her own again. So it is not for Mrs.
Stephen Hull you must seek, but for
Mrs. Temple
Was the room reeling-the ceiling
falling-the wall closing around him?
Gerard Langton felt rs if they were, as
the names fell on his car. Maude-
his Maude-the wife of this cool villain.
who talked of his hideous crimes as if
they we're ordinary events. Well he
knew that to carry this mans message
was to separate himself from Maude for
ever. Never would she let him marry
the widow of a murderer Very rapid
ly all the terrible facts pressed one after
another upon his brain, and he said
eff you love her, why add a new
misery to her life? She may have
lived down the old pain you caused her.
Why, for a selfish qualification. will
you make her whole life misery?'
'.She is my wife I! would bid her
farewell"
'.She is not your wife Your own
crimes have released her from any al
legiance to YOU"
s'You know her?''
N..Yes know what she has suffered,
and beg of you to let her still believe
you died years ago."
''She is happyP'
''Scarcely that. Such wounds as
hers never heal entirely, but it is cruel
ty to tear them open when they are
quiet"
'Has she married again?''
..No. She is still your widow!"
'It is hard to deny myself one more
sight of her face. and the hope 1 had
that she would say she forgave mer'
''Think of her, not of yOurself!'
There was long silence in the cell.
Every throb of Gerard Langton's heart
was pain to him. But Stephen Hull
sat in moody silence, evidently reluc-
tant to give up his wish. AT last he
spoke
"You have been very good to me.
Tell me now if you have any personal
reason for your request. Perhaps
you love her?"
Il do p was the brief reply. ''She
has promised to be my wife %
.'Then it will be james Fox who is
hanged tomorrow l meant to give
my real name up, but 1 will carry my
secret to my grave. 1t may be that in
another world even the little last self
denial will be plea for me. Go now.
You may trust me-"
And he kept hiss&ord, and Gerard
Langton his secret. When Maude, a
few weeks later, became his wife. she
little guessed the terrible ordeal which
he had spared her, or the added dis
grace that belonged to the name she
had given up.