New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-09-28

~ SEPTEMBER %, 1881.
But tho victory was won at last, and
the lawyer walked home ono evening
full Of proud. glad Joy. for Maude
had promised to be his wife.
If you are willing to take Stephen
Hulps widow for your wife, she had
said, II will not oppose you longer, for
! love you with all my heart
He had no thought but that Of glad
triumph whom he turned rp the gas in
his chambers in she Temple. He was
In the habit Of making last visit there
before going homo, in case notes or
messages had been left for him. One
lay there this evening. shabby looking
envelope, but directed in bold, hand
some hand that he recognized at once.
He tore it open. After a fow words
Of introduction the note ran
''You did tho best you could for ms
on my trial, but the facts were too
strong for you. l have now last fav-
or to ask of you die. as you know,
early tomorrow. You, as my lawyer,
can see me at any time. Will you
come as soon as you receive this, and
win the gratitude of the man you
know as JAMES Foxg'
The man know a. James Fox"
muttered the lawyer; ''the smooth,
plausible scoundrel, who actually made
me believe him innocent of the hideous
murder for which he was convicted.
can find extenuation for some murders
but this oo}d-blooded assassination of
an old man for money only. was revolt
ing. How he fooled me, though for q
time. And how he exulted over his
success in doing SO when, az he says,
facts were too strong. Shall l go TO
himP I suppose must 1t is still
early"
1t was not yet midnight when Gerard
Langton was ushered into the cell of
the man who, in q few short hours,
was to meet the extreme penalty Of the
law for the worst crime.
Yet there was nothing revolving in
the appearance of the criminal. His
dress was neat, his hair carefully ar
ranged, his moustache faultless, his
hands white and refined looking. He
rose from his seat upon the bed ~ his
lawyer entered his cell.
II knew you would COME" he said,
courteously, though you were often
ded at my want of franknoss. Well,
that is all over! You will not refuse
the last request of q dying man, Mr..
Langton?"
Mot if can grant it." was the re-
ply.
This" said the murderer, lis not
my first offence against the law. Some
years ago was sentenced for term of
years for forgery. By 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 Millbank. 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 q fash saw the
advantage to be gained by the decep-
ton, and allowed the error to pass.
My companion committed suicide. and
l escaped with two years. imprison-
ment, instead Of seven. Bnt I feared
recognition, and went to America.
There I lived by my wits until year
ago, when I returned here to try to
raise money from my wife, and thought
I saw an easier plan by committing the
crime for which die tomorrow. But
I want to SEQ my wife. I wrongcd her
II robbed her but Heaven is my wit
ness I loved her. When was put in
prison sho dropped my name, and took
her own again. So it is not for Mrs.
Stephen Hull you must seek, but for
Mrs. Temple"
Was the room reeling-the ceiling
{alling-the wall closing around himp
Gerard Langton felt as If they were, rs
the names fell on his ear. 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 murderer 4! Very rapid
~ all the terrible facts pressed one after
another upon his brain, and he said
III you love her, why add new
misery to her life! She may have
lived down the old pain you caused her.
Why, for selfish qualification, will
you make her whole life miseryg'
''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"
''You know her!'
Eyes know what she has suffered,
and beg of you to let her still believe
you died years ago.
"She is happy?'
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.
mo. She is still your widow!"
1T is hard to deny myself one more
sight of her face. and the hope had
that she would say she forgave met
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 reluo-
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 herr"
II do = was the brief reply. '.She
has promised to be my wife -
''Then it will be James Fox who is
hanged tomorrow I meant to give
my real name up, but will carry my
secret to my grave. 1t may be that in
another world even the little last self-
denial will be a plea for me- Go now.
You may trust me.
Aud he kept his word. and Gerard
Langton his secret. When Maude, .
few weeks later, became his wife, she
little guessed the terrible ordeal which
he had spared her. or the added l|is.