Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-06
Gales and Skfifkes.
fHE LAWYER's SECRET.
Continued from yesterday. }

A1Ousthooco hceA y~7s~-J'S
Then your husband is in prison ?" said
Gerald, in hard strained voice.
mo, no, he Il dead! He died within
the first year Uncle Richard saw the
death in : paper, and sent the mo,ey for
his burial. No, am free; but none the
less am the widow of q convicted felon. "
But none the Jess" quoted Gerald.
1.-THE woman love and honor above all
others, and hope still to make my wife ="
II took, however. more than one inter-
view, full of loves pleading to win Maude
from her resolution. She 30 honored her
lover, and was so proud of his good name
and the position he had attained by bis
talent, that her sensitive nature shrank
from even the shadow of her misery fall
ing upon his life.
But the victory was won at last. and the
lawyer walked home one evening full of
a proud, glad joy, for Maude had then
promised TO be his wife.
IF you are willing to take Alexander
Hull'r widow to be your wife," she said.
II will not oppose you any longer. for
love you with all my heart"
He had no thought but of that glad
triumph when be turned up the gas in his
Office. He was in the habit Of making q
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.
q shabby looking envelope, but directed in
q bold, handsome hand which he recog-
nized at once
He tore it open. Alter few words of
introduction. the note ran:
you did the best you could on my trial,
but the facts were too strong for you.
have now last favor to ask Of you. l
die, as you know, at noon tomorrow.
You. as my lawyer, can see me at any
time. Will you come as soon as you re-
ceive this and win the gratitude of the
man you know as JAMES Fox?
The man know as Jas. Fox. !" mutter-
ed the lawyer; 1.-The smooth. plausible
scoundrel who actually made me believe
him innocent of the hideous murder tor
which he was convicted. / can find extern
uation for some murders. but this cold
blooded assassination Of an old man fer
money only, was revolving. How he de-
ceived me. though. for time. And how
he exulted over his success in doing 40
when he saw facts were too strong. Shall
90 TO him ? suppose must. 1t is still
very early"
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 revolving in the
appearance OF the criminal. His dress was
neat, his hair carefully arranged. his
moustache faultless, his hands white and
refined looking. He rose from his seat
upon the bed as the lawyer entered the
cell
II knew you would come" he said.
courteously. though You were offended at
my want of frankness. Well, that is all
over! You will not refuse the last request
of dying man. Mr.. Langton?"
Not if can grant it, was the reply.
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
larceny, and we were sent together to
prison. James Fox my companion.
understand, not myself - was de-
ranged. but his lawyers had not been
Athletic save him. as his alteration was
not always apparent. When we were en-
tered upon the books of the prison. i'm
agine my amazement when my fellow
prisoner gave my name for his own. Like
flash | saw the advantage to be gained
by the deception, and allowed the error to
pass. My companion committed suicide.
and escaped with two years. imprison-
ment instead Of seven. But feared rec
IGNITION, and went to Canada. There
lived by my wits until year ago, when
returned TO try to raise money for my
wife. and thought saw An easier plan by
committing the crime for which die to-
morrow. But want to see my wife.
wronged her-I robbed her-but heaven
is my witness. love her. When I was
put in prison she dropped my name. and
took her own again. So it is not for Mrs
Alexander Hull you must go. but for Mrs
Maude Temple"
Was the room reeling-the ceiling fall
ing-the wall closing around him? Ger
aid Langton felt rs ii thew were, as the
name fell upon his ears. Maude-his
Maude-the wife Of this cool william who
talked of his hidous crimes as if they
were ordinary eventse Well. he knew
that to carry this mans message was to
separate himself from Maude forever
Never would she let him marry the widow
Of murderer Very rapidly all the ter
rible facts passed one after the other. and
he said. "lf you love her why add mis-
cry to her life She may have lived down
the old pain You caused her; why, for a
selfish qualification. will you make her
whole life misery?"
'She was my wife! l would bid her
farewell"
'She is not your wife. Your own crimes
have released her from any allegiance to
You"
You know her?'
"Yesl l know what she has suffered,
and beg of you to let her still believe you
died wears ago"
"She is happy"
Scarcely that. Such wounds as hers
never heal entirely. but it is cruelty to tear
them open when they are quiet"
HAS she married?"
NO! She is still your widow"
at is hard to deny myself one more
sight of her face, and the hope | had that
she would say she forgave me-"
Think of her, not yourself"
There was long silence in the cell.
Every throb of Gerald Langton's heart
WAS main to him but Alexander Hull sat