The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-05-16
At length he was informed that Can.

AT length he was informed that Cap.
tain Wrake would shortly be set at lib
erty, and he then resolved to carry into
| eNccutIon pan which had been slowly
forming in his mind for years past. In
spite OF the pecuniary sacrifices he had
made he felt that he had by no means
atoncd for his sin. 1t was not aalues-
'ion OF money, for he was prepared TO
continue his benefactions and to provide
Captain Wrake with funds to make a
fresh start in life If he would accept any
favor Of him. But his chief purpose
was TO return to England and TO place
himself unrcservedly in Captain
Wrakc's hands. II the Captain would
accept no apology or compensation. and
insisted on his publicly acknowledging
his bascncss, Godfrey Dcnycr wa, de.
iermined 10 do so, regardless oil the con-
sequences.
This resolution had cost nim severe
struggle with his moral cowardicr. but
ut length he succeeded in summoning
! up the necessary fortitudr for his self
imposed pcnancc. II he secretly hoped
that Captain Wrakc would be sauslicd
with some smaller sacrifice. he was
nevertheless perfectly sincere in his
purpose He returned to England,
looking prcmaturcly aged, with >trcaks
Of gray in his hair, though ne was bare
ly thirty. But his bearing was calm
and rcSolutc. and n shrcwd observer
would have guessed at once that he had
suffered some great trouble which had
darkcncd his young life.
On the day when Captain Wrake was
released from prison Godfrey Dcnycr
| sent to him request that he would
grant him an interview at an inn near
the gates Of the Jail. lie felt deeply
agltatcd at the prospect Of finding him
self face to facS with the man who must
have been curSing him bitterly for years,
and who would now be the arbitcrof his
fate; but his iirmncss did not desert
him, and when Captain Wrakc ap-
pcarcd his purpose never wavcrcd.
To his amaZcment the Captain hung
his head and accepted his outstrcichcd
hand without hesitation, but in very
humble manner. Godfrey could scarce
! ~ believe his senses, and doubted at
first whether was really his former
friend who stood before him. II was.
indeed. he, however, though he, too,
had aged and much changed in appear
ancc. For moment neither spoke,
and then suddenly the Captain burst
into tears and said in chokcd voice:
"Dcnycr, don't say n word. ! can't
bear it. Il guess now who has been
the savior of my poor wife and chill
dren. What am to say to your noble
conduct You first stand my friend by
not appearing against me at the trial,
so as to give n poor devil chance, and
thcn-thcn YOU act rs guardian angel TO
those have so cruelty wromgGd. And
you, OF all others, are the person from
whom had the least right to expect
kindness"
"Why," demanded Dcnycr, hoarscly,
with wild throbbing at his heart.
why? How can You ask? You
know my oilcnse,n said the Captain,
avcrting his face.
"Do you mcan-do You mean that
you were really guilty." cried Dcnycr,
with blessed sense of load being sud
denly lifted from his mind.
God forgive me, yes! was deSper,,
ate, your hclplcssncss tempted me- anc
and" the Captain paused and hung
his head again, while Godfrey Denyei
involuntarily gave long-drawn sigh oi
relief. f.-LondOn Truth.