The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-08


| "Long before this had lost all love
for my husband. Respect had died
out when knew the dlssipated life he
| was leading, and, foolish rs was, I
could not continue to love O man whom
l despised. I refused the errand, and
brought down @ torrent OF such gross
abuse that I really expected Alexander
would end by striking NO."
"Day after day the request was re-
newed, but I would not yield. Upon
my marriage Uncle Richard had sold
his city residence and taken up q per-
manent u abode at Grassbank, where
knowing my husband to be an unwel-
come guest. I never visited him. I
wrote occasionally, but the love Of
| years, like that of father and child,
had been SO sadly strained by my per-
slstence in marrying Alexander, that
even our correspondence was languid
and commonplace" .~..
II would uot, therefore, write to him
to ask favor that knew would not
have been necessary without criminal
recklessness of expenditure and each
refusal made my husband more furious.
Then came an overwhelming blow.
Alexander forged check, and drew
two Thousand pounds of Uncle Richards
money from the bank. L do not think
my uncle would ever have prosecuted
him had he guessed who was the for.
ger; but he handed the whole matter
over TO the lazy as soon as it was dis
covered that the CHECK was forged. It
was traced to Alexander, aud at the
same time 1T was found that lie had
robbed in the same way his former
employers. He had given up all work
upon his marriage; but when he found
himself without money, his knowledge
| OF the bnslnes enabled him to forge the
check OF Derkiss and %. Even if
| Uncle Richard had spared him for my
sake, this other forgery would have
entitled him to penal servltude. He
| was sentenced to sevon years, and
Uncle Richard took me home, full of
| heavenly pity and forgiveness FOR the
chlld who mad treated HIM SO migrate
fully"
| ''Then your husband is in prison?"
asked Gerard in hard, strained voice.
mo, no; he ls deadl He died within
| death in the paper and sent the money
for his burial. No; am free; but none
the less l am the widow of a. convicted
felon."
"But none the less," quoted Gerard,
oil others, and hope still to make my
wife" .....'.
1t took, however. more than one
| interview, full OF lovers pleading, to
| wih Maude from her resolution. She
80 honored her lover, was so proud of
his good name and the position he had
attained by his talents, that her sensi-
tive nature shrank from even the shad )w
of her misery falling upon his life.
But the victory was won at last, and
the lawyer walked home one evening
full Of proud, glad joy, for Maude
had promised to be his vile.
elf you are wiling to take Alexander
Hulps widow for your wife," she had
said. II will not oppose you longer,
for L love you with all my heart"
he had no thought but of ,hat glad
triumph when lie turned mp the gas in
his office. He was Ill the habit of
making last visit there before going
up to his bedroom, in case notes or
messages had been left for him. One
lay there Oh this evening, shabby
looking envelope, but directed in a
bold, handsome hand that he recog-
nlZed at once.
He tore it open. After few words
OF introduction the note ram
"You did the best you could for me
on my hial, but the facts were too
strong for you. I have now last favor
to ask of you. I die, as you know, at
noon tomorrow. You, as my lawyer,
can zee nae ut any tlme. Will you
come as soon as you receive this, and
win the gratitude OF the man you know
as "James Fox2"
."The man. [ know as james Fox"
muttered the lawyer; "Ghe smooth,
plauslble scoundrel who actually made
me believe him innocent of the hideous
murder for which he was convicted. ]
can find extenuatien for some murders.
but this cold-blooded assassination OF
an old man for money only was revolt
ing. How he deceived me, though for
timel And how he exulted over ! Is
SUCCESS in doing 80 when, as he says,
facts were too strongi Shall L 90 to,
HIM? suppose 1 must. 1t is still
early"
1t was not yet midnight when Ge-
rard Langton was ,ishered into the cell
| OF the man who in&a few. short hours
was to meet the extreme penalty of the
law Tor the worst crime.
Yet there was nothing revolving in
the appearance Of the criminal. His
dress was neat. his hair carefully ar.
ranged, his mnstache faultIess, his
hands white and refined looking. lie
rose from his seat upon the bed as his
lawyer entered his cell. a
~ knew you would come, - he said,
conrteopsly, Though you were offended
at my want OF frankness. Well. thai
is all overt You will not refuse the
last request OF q dying man, Mr.. Lang
ton?" ~ a'tl
"Not If I can grant It," was the reply.
'rhis," said the murderer, sis not
my first offence against The law. Some
years ago was sentenced for u term of
years for forgery. BY strange acoi-
dent 1 escaped the penalty. On the
same day james Fox was sentenced
to two years for petty larceny, and we
were sent together to prison. James
fox--my companion, understands not
myself--was deranged, but hls lawyers
hnd not been able to save him, as his
alteration was not always apparent.
When we were entered upon tie books
OF the prison, imagine my amaze,nent