Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-05-29

been torn; and the clumsy signature had
been written much g. might have
written Il
You can guess the sequel, doctor. :
wus tried; and although I vas very ably
defended by q leading counsel. who was
personal friend of mine. wGs con-
vicfed and sentenced TO transportation.
How shall describe 10 you the agony
Of those days ii due conEae was
sent ont here with ship-load Of cut
Threats and felonR IN . few years.
doubtless. ! WIS nearly forgotten at
home, for my conviction killed my
father and who else was 70 remember
me save Raven and Mary Bagster. whom
he, to add to my wretchedness. soon
afterward married?''
At this point Sir James vas seized
with spasmOdic pains. brought on by
bis excitement: and i was Obliged to
temporarily forbid his continuing the
painful narrative. An hour or two later.
however, finding him calmer, I permitted
him to 90 on.
81 served my time, /" he continued !:
sand then, having no friends in Eng
land, decided to remain here. Like
many others, I went to the diggings,
and. unlike most. was fortunate. In
vested everything in land and stock !;
tried 70 make myself publicly useful !;
gradually obtained the confidence and
respect Of my fellow-citizens. and two
or three years ago, as you know, re-
ceived the honor OF knighthood. I can
now say with truth, doctor, that there is
no man in Australia who would refuse
to grasp me by the hand because / was
once convict.
HAS your innocence never been
proved ?" asked.
Never. he returned. 81 might, per-
haps, have made second endeavor to
prove it long ago; but could not bring
myself to make her unhappy-ua-
happier, that is, than he has made her.
As have told You, she became Lady
Raven. You cannot expect me to be
able to tell you that the man who so
cruelty swore away my liberty made her
q good husband. he systematically ILL
treated her; and although she bore him
several children, and was, have heard.
an exemplary wife until she was crushed
by his brutality. he behaved 10 her a
he would not have behaved to his dogs.
Do yOu know, doctor, that I preserve
my love for her still2 / have never
ceased to love her, although she be-
heved evil of me. and never sent me
single word OF sympathy; and / have
left everything have to her eldest son
who by this time has sons Of his own.
But do not know whether or not she is
dead. have, however, provided that
should she be living, che is to have
hfe-interest in my estate. Poor thing.
she deserves it; for sadly did she suffer
and not unfrequently, I expect, did she
want
..And he p / asked. What became
Of Raven 2"
'sIn time he deserted her, and plunged
into the lowest depths Of drunkenness
and dissipation. He had wasted his
fortune; and not very long ago read
that he had been picked up in fit in
the streets Of Paris, and had died before
his removal to the hospital =
II am shortly going to England, Sir
James, said, ssand II / can be OF any
use In discovering this poor ladyis
whereabouts, I shall be glad to do my
best. "
''You are going TO England9 am
happy to hear it. You then can do
what feared would have to be done for
me BY third party. I want you to find
Lady Raven and tell her what I have
told you. Tell her that, although we
have been separated for more than forty
years, I still think Of her; that I die
thinking Of her; and that forgive her:
and Yes, doctor, tell her, too, that
/ forgive him. must forgive him.
Yes; / do fully.
I need not 60 on TO describe the pain
ful hours / spent ct Sir James's side
ere death released him from his suffer
ings. Suffice il to say that he bore
himself, even In his moments Of greatest
agony, with becoming resia nation.
Until the last he was thoughtful for all
about him rather than for himself; and
when the long sleep at last closed his
weary eyes. ] turned away, feeling that
Australia had lost a man the memory Of
whom she might justly cherish.
Two or three months afterward re-
turned 10 England. Lady Raven, who
for some time had been IN impoverished
circumstances, had meanwhile been dis
covered by my late patients collectors;
and. before saw her, she had been APP
praised Of .she provisions Of Sir James
ReiIly's win.
I introduced myself 10 her as his
friend; and found her occupying 9
pleasant but not very well furnished
house In oneof the best squares In Bays
water.
sIt Is all q mystery" she said to me,
when she had first apolOgized for the
disorder of her temporary abode. Poor
James! He was once very fond Of me.
Ii was many years ago. We should
have married, you know, but for az nm
fortunate circumstance. Perhaps you
have heard Of It 2"
was slightly annoyed ct the tone IN
which she spoke Of her dead benefnctor.
81 have heard OE II, Lady Raven. 2
/ returned seriously.
ssBut il did not spoil his success ii
life, che continued with slight laugh:
and now at last be has made regtifu-
ton. Well, Il i only what We deserve
He robbed my late husband, y0u know;