The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-04-28

learned that Captain Wrake had been
found guilty of forgery aud sentenced
to long term of penal servitude.
Godfrey Denyer's absence had availed
no more than the prisoners eager pro-
testations Of innocence to avert an lad
verse verdict, for Independent persons
ha1sworn to their belief that the sig
mature to the check was not in the hand
writing Of the supposed drawer. The
news gave Godfrey q severe and painful
attack and had SOLDERING effect upon
his character. He conceived it to be
his duty at least to provide for the ne
cessities of the poor woman and inno-
cent children whom he had rendered
miserable. He had not the courage to
return to England and clear Captain
| Wrake's reputation, but short of that
he resolved to make every atonement in
his power. With this object he devoted
himself assiduously to business, and
regularly RENTED the larger portion of
his earnings to Trustworthy agent who
applied the money for Mrs. Wrake's
benefit The poor lady frequently
blessed her unknown benefactor, but
| Godfrey Denyer never dared to disclose
his identity lest the wife of the man he
so cruelty wronged should spurn his
gifts and thus deprive him of the small
consolation he derived from helping
| her.
At length he was informed that Cap
tain Wrake would shortly be set at lib
erty, and he then resolved to carry into
execution plan 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
atoned for his sin. 1t was not ques-
ton of money, for he was prepared to
continue his benefactions and to provide
Captain Wrake with funds to make
fresh start in life if he would accept any
favor of him. But his chief purpose
was to return to England and to place
Wrake's hands. If the Captain would
accept no apology or compensation, and
insisted on his publicly acknowledging
his baseness, Godfrey Denyer was de-
termined to do so, regardless of the con-
sequences.
This resolution had cost him a severe
struggle with his moral cowardice, but
at length he succeeded in summoning
up the necessary fortitude for his self
imposed penance. If he secretly hoped
that Captain Wrake would be satisfied
with some smaller sacrifice, he was
nevertheless perfectly sincere in his
purpose. He returned to England,
looking prematurely aged, with streaks
of gray in his hair, though he was bare
ly thirty. But his bearing was calm
and resolute, and shrewd observer
would have guessed at once that he had
suffered some great trouble which had
J darkened his young life.
On the day when Captain Wrake was
released from prison Godfrey Denyer
sent to him a request that he would
: grant him an interview at an inn near
the gates of the jail. He felt deeply
agitated at the prospect of finding him.
| self face to face with the man who must
have been cursing him bitterly for years,
: and who would now be the arbiter of his
fate; but his frmness did not desert
him, and when Captain Wrake APP
peared his purpose never wavered.
To his amazement the Captain hung
his head and accepted his outstretched
hand without hesitation, but in very
! humble manner. Godfrey could scarce
ly believe his senses, and doubted al
first whether j. was really his former
! friend who stood before him. 1t was
indeed, he, however, though he, too
$ had aged and much changed in appear
, ance. For moment neither spoke,
: and then suddenly the Captain burst
: into tears and said in choked voice:
; "Denyer, don't say word. CAM
!; bear it. II guess now who has beer
/, the savior of my poor wife and chill
l dren. What am to say to your noble
S conduct You first stand my friend by
not appearing against me at the trial
/; so as to give poor devil chance, anC
i then-then you act as guardian angel t.
: those l have so cruelty wronged. AnC
you, of all others, are the person from
: whom had the least right to expec
n kindness"
I 'Why," demanded Denyer, hoarsely
e with wild throbbing at his heart.
'WhyP How can you ask? You
i know my offense," said the Captain
a averting his face.
'Do you mean-do you mean tina
$ you were really guilty?" cried Denyer
q with blessed sense of a load being sud
denly lifted from his mind.
s God forgive me, yes was desper
q ate, your helplessness tempted me, anC
n and" the Captain paused and huns
: his head again, while Godfrey Denye
\ Involuntary gave long-drawn sigh o
u relief. London Truth.