The Press., 1883-09-27

talent, that her sensitive nature shrank from casting even the shadow of her mis- cry 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 then prom ised to be his wife.
 elf you are willing to take Alexander Hull's widow to be your wife, she said, "I will not oppose you any longer, for I love you with all my heart" He had no thought but of that glad tri- umph when he turned up the gas in his office. He was in the habit of making a late visit there before going up to his bed room, in case notes or messages were left for him. One lay there on this evening, 8 shabby looking envelope, but directed in a bold. handsome hand which he recognized at once.
 l He tore it open. After few words of of introduction the note ran: 'sYou did the best you could on my trial, but the facts were too strong for you. have now a last favor to ask of you. die, as you know, at noon tomorrow. You, as my law yer, can see me at any time. Will you come as soon as you receive this and win the grati- tude of the man you know as JAMES Fox?"
 saThe man knew as James Fox," mutt tered the lawyer; ''the smooth, plausible scoundrel, who actually made me believe him innocent of the hideous murder for which he was convicted. I can find ex- tenuation for some murders, but this cold blooded assassination of an old man for money only, was revolting He de- ceived me, though, for time. And how he exulted over his success in doing so when he saw facts We're too strong. Shall I go to him I suppose I must. It is still very early"
 It was not yet midnight when Gerald Langton was ushered into the cell of the man who, in few short hours, was to meet the extreme penalty of the law for the worst of all crimes.
 Yet there was nothing revolting in the appearance of the criminal. His dress was neat, his hair carefully arranged, his mous- tache faultless, his hands white and refined looking. He rose from his seat upon the bed as his lawyer entered the cell.
 'I knew you would come" he said, courteously, though you were offended at my want of frankness. We'll, that is all over? You will not refuse the last request of dying man, MT. Langton ?"
 '"Not if can grant it, ;" was the reply. s'This," said the murderer, "is not my first offence against the law. Some years ago was sentenced to term of years for forgery. By strange accident escaped the penalty. On the same day James Fox was sentenced to two years for petty lar ceny, and we were sent together to prison. James Fox-my companion, understand, not myself-was deranged, but his lawyers had not been able to save him, as his aber- ration 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 flash I saw the advantage to be gained by the deception, and allowed to error to pass. My companion com mitted suicide, and I escaped with two years imprisonment instead of seven. But I feared recognition, and went to Canada. There lived by my wits until year ago, when I returned to try to raise money fol my wife, and thought saw an easier plan by committing the crime for which I die tomorrow. But want to see my wife. wronged her-I robbed her-but heaven is witness, I love her. When I was in prison she dropped my name and took he1 own again. So it is not for Mrs. Alex ander Hull you must ask, but for Mrs. Maude Temple"
 Was the room reeling-the ceiling fall ing-the wall closing around him ? Gerald Langton felt as they were, as the name fell upon his ears. Maude-his Maude- the wife of this cool villain, who talked o1 his hideous crimes as if they were ordinary events? We'll, he knew that to carry this mans message was to separate himself from Maud forever. Never would she lei him marry the widow of a murderer Very rapidly all the terrible facts passed one after the other, and he said: eff you love her why add 8 misery to her life She may have lived down the old pain you caused her; why, for a selfish gratitica. tion, will you make her whole life mis- ery?"
 farewell"
 ''She is not your wife. Your own crimes have released her from any allegiance tC you"
 ''You know her ?''
 "Yes I 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 entirel, but it is cruelty to teal them open when they are quiet P
 'Has she married ?''
 "No! She is still your widow
 "It is hard to deny myself one more sight of her face, and the hope I had that she would say she forgave me-"
 I'"lhink of her, not yourself" There was long silence in the cell.
 Every throb of Gerald Langton's heart was pain, but Alexander Hull sat in moody silence, evidently reluctant to give up his wish
 At last he spoke.
 ''You have been very good to me. Tel me, now, if you have any personal reason for your request. Perhaps you love her 2 "I dot" was the brief reply. ''She has promised to be my wife, ''Then it will be James Fox who is hanged tomorrow meant to give my real name, but I will carry my secret tc my grave. It may be in another world that the little last -self-denial will be plea for me. Go now. You may trust me- He kept his word, and Gerald Langtor : his secret.
 When Maude, few weeks later, became his wife, she little guessed the terrible or deal which he had spared her, or the added disgrace that belonged to the name she had given up. e.. s...-.*> If you have headache, ear or toothache neuralgia or rheumatism, use Crosby's min ute cure, it never fails. Suffer no longer, ii } is quick, sure and lasting remedy, Al