McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-02-07

"Then began life OF neglect, often
of quarreling, when l objected to my
husband S course of conduct-his drink
ing, his extravaganza and his late hours.
Still l found my own pleasures in SO
ciety.
''lt was four years after my marriage
when was thunderstruck by Alexander
| asking me to request a loan of money
from Uncle Richard, with the informa-
ton added that every penny of my prop
erty was gone.
''Since then have known that large
portion of it was lost at the gaming
table.
ssLong before this I had lost all love
for my husband. Respect had died out
when knew the dissipated life he was
leading, and foolish as l was, could
not continue to love a man whom l
despised. l refused the errand and
| brought down a torrent of such great
abuse that really expected that Alex
ander would end by striking me.
"Day after day the request was re-
newed, but would not yield. Upon
my marriage, Uncle Richard had sold
the city residence and taken a perma-
nent abode at Grassbank, where, know
ing my husband to be an unwelcome
guest, never visited him. 1 wrote
occasionally, but the love of years, like
that of 4 father and child, had been so
sadly strained by my persistence in
marrying Alexander that even our cor
respondence was languid and common
place.
81 would not, therefore, write to him
to ask favor that 1 knew would not
have been necessary without criminal
recklessness of expenditure, and such
refusal made my husband more furi-
Gus. Then came an overwhelming
blow. Alexander forged check and
| drew f., 900 of Uncle Richards money
from the bank. 1 don't think my uncle
would have prosecuted him had he
guessed who was the forger; but he
handed the whole matter over to the
law as soon as it was discovered that
the check was forged. 1t was then
traced to Alexander, and at the same
time it was found that he had robbed
in the same manner his former employ
ers. He had given up all work on his
marriage; but when he found himself
without money his knowledge of the
business enabled him to forge the name
of Derkiss & Co. Even IL Uncle Rich
ard had spared him fol my sake the
other forgery would have entitled him
to penal servitude. He was sentenced
to seven years, and uncle took me home
full of heavenly pity and forgiveness
for the child who had treated him so
ungratefully."
''Then your husband is in PRISON."
said Gerald, in hard, strained voice.
"No, no, he is dead! He died within
the first year. Uncle Richard saw the
death in 4 paper, and sent the money
for the burial. No, l am free; but
none the less, l am the widow off, con-
victed felon.''
''But, none the less," quoted Gerald,
''the woman love and honor above all
Others, and hope still to make my
wife,
1t took, however, more than one in
terview, full of loves pleading, to win
Maude from her resolution. She so
honored her lover, and was so proud of
his good name and the position he had
attained by his talent, that her sensitive
nature shrunk from even the shadow of
her misery 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.
eff you are willing to take Alexander
Hull's widow to be your wife," she said,
81 will not oppose you any longer, for
love you with all my heart.'
He had no thought but of that glad
triumph when he turned up the gas in
his office. He was in the habit of
making q 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 a bold, hand
some hand, which he recognized at
! once.
He tore it open. After a few words
of introduction, the note ran:
! ''You did the best you could on my trial.
but the facts were too strong for you. 1
have now last favor to ask of you. 1 die,
| as you know, at noon Tomorrow. You. as
you come as soon as you receive this, and
with the gratitude of the man you know as
| JAMES FOX.'
stThe man 1 know as James Fox"
muttered the lawyer; ssthe smooth,
plausible scoundrel who actually made
me believe him innocent of the hideous
murder for which he was convicted.
can find extenuation for some murders,
but this. cold-blooded assassination Of
an old man for money only was revolt
ing. How he deceived me, though, for
a time. And how he exulted in doing
| ca whom ho caW tho fantc 1uora too
strong. Shall l go to him? 1 suppose
[ must. 1t is still very early.
1t 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 crimes. Yet there was
nothing revolving in the appearance of
the criminal. His dress was neat, his