Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-02-07


victed felon."
"But, none the less" quoted Gerald,
"the woman honor and love above all
others, and hope still TO make my
| wife"
1t took: however, more than one inter-
view, full of loves pleading, TO win
Maude from her resolution. She so
i honored her lover, and WAS SO proud of
his good name aad the position he has
attained by his talent, that her sensi-
tive nature sh rank from even the shad-
ow IF her misery upon his life.
But the victory was won at last, and
the In Wyer walked home one evening
full of proud glad joy, for Maude had
then promised to be his wife.
'If you are willing to take AleXan-
der Hull's widow to be your wife," she
said, 81 will not oppose you any lon
ger, for l love you with all my heart"
lie had no thought but of that glad
triumph when he turned up the gas
In his office He was in the habit of
making late visit there before going
up to his bedroom, in case notes or
messages were left for him. One lay
there on this evening, shabby looking
envelope, but directed in bold, haGd-
some hand which he recognized at
once.
He tore it open. After few words
of introduction, the note ran
"You did the best you could on my
trial, but the facts were too strong Tor
you. have now last favor to ask
of you. die, as you know, at noon
to morrow. You, as my lawyer, can
sre me any time. Will you come as
soon as you receive this, and with the
gratitude of the man you know as
JAMES Fox"
1.-THE man | know as James FoX,n
muttered the lawyer "the smooth,
| plausible scoundrel who actually made
me believe him innocent of the hideUus
murder for which he was convicted.
l can find extenuation for some mur-
ders, but this cold .blooded asSassina-
| tion of an old man for money only was
| revolving. How he deceived me,
though, for time. And how he eX-
ulted over his success in doing SD when
he saw facts were too strong Shall |
60 to him ? suppose / must. It is
still very early"
1t was not yet midnight when Ger
aid Langton was ushered INTO the Gel
of the man who, in a 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 ap-
pearance of the criminal. Ills dress
was neat, his hair carefully arranged,
mustache faultless, his hands white and
refined looking. He rose from his seat
upon the bed as his lawyer entered the
cell.
81 knew you would come" he said,
courteously, "though you were offend
cd at my want of franknesss. Well,
that is all over. You will not refuse
the last request of dying man, Mr..
Langton ?''
mot if ! can grant it, was the re-
ply.
"This," said the murderer, sis not
my first offence against the law. Some
years ago l was sentenced to term of
years for forgery. BY strange acci-
dent I escaped the penalty. On the
same day JAMES Fox WAS sentenced to
two years for petty larceny, and we
were seat together to prison. james
| Fox-my companion, understand, not
myself-waS deranged, but his lawyers
had rot been able to save him, as his
alteration 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 a flash | saw
the advantage to be gained by the de-
ceptioD, and allowed the error to pass
My companion committed suicide, and
| escaped with two years. imprisOn'
ment instead of seven. But l feared
recognition and went to Canada. There
lived by my wits until a year ago,
when returned to try and raise money
! from my wife, and thought | saw an
easier plan 10y committing the crime
| for which | die tomorrow. But |
want to see my wife. l wronged her
I robbed her-but heaven is my wit
ness, l love her. When | was in pris-
on she dropped my name and took her
own again. 50 it is not for Mrs A lex
ander Hull you must ask, but for Mrs.
Maude Temple"
Was The room reeling the ceiling
falling-the wall closing around him
Gerald Lington felt that they were, as
the name fell upon his ears. Maude-
his Maude-the wife Of this cool villain
who talked of his hideous crimes as if
they were ordinary events Well, he
knew that to Carry this mans message