The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-06-08
"Guiltyl" came the reply, low, but

A silence like the silence of death fell
upon the assembly. Even that sense of
keen disappointment at being cheated Of
the edifying revelations attendant upon
a trial, was held in allegiance for the
moment, before the solemn realization
that this man had pronounced his OWL
inevitable doom. One low moan, far
back in the audience. died out too quick.
ly to be observed. Mr.. Kingsala, glanc-
ing anxiously in that direction, saw
nothing but the veiled head of girl,
bent down.
A little buzz was checked instantly by
the tipstaves. The scratching of pen
was heard as an entry was made on the
records. Then the Judge spoke:
"Stand up. Have you anything TO say
why sentence of death should not be
passed upon you?"
81 ask your Honor, to order exc
cution of the sentence as speedily as
possible. l acknowledge the JUS
tice which demands life for life, and
am ready to bear the fullest conse-
quences of that murderous deed.'
1T is not in the power of the law to
grant you any clemency where sentence
is concerned" responded the Judge
g You are convicted, on your own plea,
of a crime which has Mortified the COM
minity. and brought mourning and des-
olation into your own home. l am the
more willing to grant your request as
l understand that the shock of your
guilt has brought your unhappy wife to
The very verge of the grave, and should
she recover at all, her recovery could
only be retarded by the knowledge of
the doom impending over you. There
fore, | pronounce the sentence of the
law, that YOU be taken from this place
to the county Jail and there be kept in
confinement until the second day of
March, when you will be hanged by the
neck until you are dead, and may the
.Lerd have mercy on your SOUL
The solemn, words ceased; the prison
er was led away, and MIR. kingsala,
making his way through the yielding
crowd to the still motionless figure
which had been the object of his anxious
regard, found that she had quietly
tainted. She came to herself as quietly
under the combined effects of smelling
salts and fresh air. and. later in the day,
the lawyer obtained admission for 4 lady
visitor to the condemned prisoner in his
cell.
The mental strain had worn upon
Rodney; he looked haggard and i'll in
the dim light, which .sifted down from
the close gratings. A guard had al
ready been placed in his cell, bit the
man walked away, leaving them COM
paratively alone. Then the girl swept
back the vail which hid her pale feat
ures and held out her Hand 1t was not
taken. A papc of self-accusatiops went
through Rodney France as he looked
upon the pale, pale face. and into the
suffering yet compassionate eyes of Rose
Have you so many friends to-day,
Rodney, that you can afford to deSpise
even me?" she asked, with a touch of
''Despise you! Oh, Rose, Rose, I
don't deserve place in one thought of
yours, but if you can, forgive me-for-
give me!' 'hN.
A great choking lump came into his
throat. For the first time since his
trouble had come upon him, he was un-
nerved, unnamed. He had wronged
this girl in manner which few girls
would forgive, and now, when it was
too late, it came home to him what
different fate his might be had he but
been honorably true TO her
There is no forgiveness needed be-
tween u.s. said Rose, pitifully. Il
could not bear the thong ht that You
should be left all alone; and we've
We're like brother and sister, once: l
you to know that | have a sis
ter's regard for you still; and if it is
possible TO do anything for you, in any
way
MY poor little Rose! There is moth
ing to be done" He had regained his
while she spoke. Il am
thankful TO you from my very heart for
this evidence of kindness. 1t is the one
thing | would have asked. had dared.
There is nothing at all to be done.r
Even as he said it, Pickering shadow
crossed his face, doubtful eagerness
which came and went. vet in its brief
duration. Rose saw it and thought she
For one moment she. fall
tered. then lifted brave face
What is it, Rodney? Do You want
ne 30 90 and see her? i can do even
that if it will give You any comfort
now"
at is not that. / have no right to
ask anything of you-tat least of all"
He turned away and walked once or
twice across he'celL Coming back, he |
said. hurriedly:
.'There is nothing to ask of you
now, Rose, but. perhaps, the time may
come that will turn to. you for help in
/ matter which troubles me exceeding
y, but that time is not yet. Pray
Heaven for me that it never UW come,
Rose"
IF it should, l will do anything in
my power,"f promised Rose, blindly,
little dreaming in what way she would
be asked TO fulfill that promise.
Wild dreams of enabling him by
some means TO avert the dreadful doom
which she had heard pronounced
against him went through her head.
Men had escaped from prison and |
had helped them before this,
put, recalling his words afterward, she |
knew they must hold some far differ |
mt meaning.
Time passed, and the appeal she ex-
,ected never came The dreaded I'd |
If March was at hand; it came, it |
passed, and the papers held full ac-
,ount of the manner in which that cold
FLOODED murderer, Rodney France, had
his crime on the gallows.
A Wild. wet spring gave place to sum
ner, and thesSsngerferd' sretWRed ~
heir country house On the Hudson.
They filled it with guests, and by every
means in their power tried to win the
,nly daughter of the house from the
hadow of that cloud which had dark