The Osceola times., 1884-10-11

mate Of the same building with young Haw-
kins.
| The grand jury being in session he was
indicted and his trial set for the next term.
What strange freak of fate was that
which brought those two men together In
the same place as common associates, one a
gentleman Of the highest culture and refine
ment, the other plebian in the lower walks
of like-a man without honor and utterly
devoid Of all those finer feelings that go so
far In the great elements of splendid man
hood. and yet their eyes had scarcely met
when 1t was evident that they were ac-
quainted. Hawkins was pacing to and fro
In the court Of the prison taking what few
rays Of morning sunlight struggled through
the long narrow windows, chafng with
shame and hate at his CONTINENT Nature
broke its bonds and he uttered an awful
oath and swore that II he was out and gun
shadowed him into those gloomy walls and
hurled back upon his life wave of shame
"a cloud Of dishonor.
He continued his walk and came upon
Wade standing looking out into the yard be-
low. Wade arrested him and whispered in
his ear. What was the secret?
Hawkins had been a great admirer of the
blacksmith's son that for five years had
slept the sleep that knows no waking in
this world, and from that moment he seem
ed to grow distracted and nervous, twirling
his hair and biting the ends of his moustache,
and 1t was evident that his mind was dwell
ing upon great event and maturing plans
for his speedy release.
FREE MAN.
Scarcely week had elapsed since Haw-
kin's became In possession Of that unknown
something when one morning he passed
through the corridor, the heavy door closed
behind him and he stood in the street in the
pure air, beneath blue sky, free man
with all the clouds Of unjust suspicion lifted
from him. His first step was TO the arms of
the woman he loved for TO Edna WhitcOmb
those few days had heightened out into
years of sorrow and bitter regret, for to
Harry Hawkins had she confided her love
| when but child, and her life was engrafted
upon his own self almost from birth, with
out the love and influence Of mother-for
she died of shame and broken heart, and
reared at the hands Of strangers IL is not to
be wondered at that her young heart went
out early In search Of a companion in whom
she might confide and look up to in hours of
trial; but she was happy. A food of sun
shine in her young heart as he crossed the
| threshold and clasped her in his fond arms
and she heard from his own lips that he had
been the victim of a base and treacherous
plot of an unprincipled man, with fanciful
injury, assuring her that it might after all
havelbeen the hand of Providence, for while
| there he had found clue to the Keeling
murder.
THE GUN.
He then under promise of implicit secrecy
related to her what Wade had whispered TO
him that mOrning-that In certain place ON
| the hillside, not Tar from the coal kiln, he
gun.
Was it not within one mile from this spot
| that Frank Keeling was murdered? Was not
this his gun, and was not Wade the murder
er? Ii was all seemingly clear to the mind
| of Hawkins, and with an inward feeling
tnat not moment should be lost in impart-
ing what he knew 10 the right source, he
Dade her goodbye and sought the office Of
Burrows.
The past was not mentioned by either of
them; Hawkins had no love for the man
whom he sat with face to face, but he let
him into the secret, and that afternoon to-
gether they left the village and in the place
designated they found just what they hoped
| to fnd-the long missing gun. ''Oh, what a
tale this tells" said Burrows as he drew it
from its long hiding place, the thick red de-
caying rust OF years upon it. They looked
ell al f.I
ing away In pieces as they turned 1t over in
their hands, but with great care every parti-
Gle was gathered together and preserved and
unobserved they returned to the village.
| With this new discovery Burrows was
confident that it would be but few days
before the mystery that tn had so long agitated
the country would a. last be solved, for on
the following morning he was to visit Wade
In his CONTINENT and charge him with the
crime.
At nine o'clock, accompanied by the sher-
III, Burrows entered the jail, and walking at
once to where Wade was standing alone,
clapped his hand on his shoulder saying
.'Mr. Wade, you are the murderer of Frank
KEELING, and in the enormity of the crime a
i full confession is the only thing that might
ameliorate your condition and lessen the
fearful odds against YOU"
II am not the murderer of Frank Keeling,
neither do know anything in regard to It, y
"Who hid the gun between the logs near
your coal kiln that | found concealed
there on yesterday" asked Burrows.
II do not know" replied Wade with a
clear open c0untenance not the least abash.
ed BY the attack upon him.
Have you ever seen the gun spoken of?''
asked Burrows.
Il have" answered Wade; first saw il
about four years ago when Williams and
were getting out wood for the kiln"
why did you not report Il to the proper
authority when you knew the whole coun.
try was looking for clue TO the murder
that was enyeloped In my ysteryp'
"Because," said Wade, with the reputa-
tion bore, and the finding so near my own
premises | stood in fear of unjustly Grimm
ating myself. Williams thought as l did and
we concluded to forever keep it a secret let
In an unguarded moment another became
the pOssessor Of our secret and the result is
an accusation of murder Of which both viii.
liams and myself are innocent
"Ah, Wade" replied Burrows, II am
afraid that before a jury of your own coun-
trymen you can never break the strong net
work vi evidence that surrounds you, and
before l go would advise you to think well
on your future fate
you can CO. sir, when You are ready."
was his only reply and the two left him. A
warrant OF arrest was issued for Williams,
and that night the two patrons and friends
were once more together, both charged with
horrible crime.
| IN COURT
The Criminal Court had convened and
the same day that saw Wade arraigned and
convicted OF forgery found him and his
friend Williams indicted for murder. and as
there was TO be no delay In the trial the peO-
pie for miles around became wild with ex-
element and on the day set for the hearing