Smyrna times., 1885-07-22


money from the bank 1 don't think
my uncle would have prosecuted him
had he guessed who was the forger, but
% he put the whole matter in the hands of
the law directly he heard the check was
forged. 1t was traced to Alexander
and at the same time it was found he
had robbed his former employers in the
same way. He had given up all busi-
ness upon his marriage, but when he
found himself without money his
knowledge of the business enabled him
10 Jorge the name of Derkiss q Co
Even If Uncle Richard had spared him
1"r my sake the other forgery would
have entitled him to penal sprvi-
tude. He was sentenced to seven
years and uncle took me home. full
of pity for the child who had treated him
so ungratefuiIy."
Then your husband is in prison :"
said Gerald in IL har,I strained voice.
No, he is dead He died within tbo
first year. Uncle Richard saw the death
IN paper and sent the money for the
burial No I am free, but 1 am the
widow Of felon"
And you are the woman honor and
love above all others, and hope still TO
make my wife said Gerald
1t took however, more than onr in
terview full Of loves pleadlngs to win
Maud from her resolution. She 80
honored her lover was so proud of his
good name and the position he had
attained by his talent, that her sensitive
nature shrank from even the shadow Of
misery upon his life.
But the victory was won at last and
the lawyer walked home one evening
full OF proud, glad JOY, for Maud had
then promised to be his wife.
p" If You are willing to take Alexander
HulIs widow to be your wife, she said.
Will not oppose you any longer. for
love you with all my heart.
He had no thought but of that olod
triumph when he turned up the gas in
his office. He was III the habit Of mall,
ing late visit there before going mn to
ms bedroom, in case notes or rnessa,.ao
were lett for him One lay there ON
tins evening" "a shabby looking envelope.
but directed in bold, handsome hand
which he recognized ut once.
lie tore it open. After a few words Of
introduction, the note ran -
" You did the best you could on nv
tl1al, but the facts were too stropo fo,.
you have now II last favor to ask of
you. l die, us you know. at noon to
morrow. You, as my lawyer, can see ,n4.
at amy time. viii you come as soon as
yourecelve this, and win the gratitude
OF the man you know as
JAMES Fox.
The man l know as james Fov "
muttcred the lawyer "tbe smooth
plausible scoundrel who actually mo5o
me believe him innocent of the bidoors
murder for which he was convicted
can lind eXtenuatiOn, for some murders
but this cOld-blOoded assassination of o.,
How old man for money only was revolt
ing he deceived me- though, for a time /
And how he eXulted over his success in
dong 50 when he saw facts were ton
strong. Shall I go to him : Isupposc 7 !
must 1t is still very early"
1t was not yet midnight when Gerald l
Langton was ushered into the cell If l
the man who III a few short hours ,yos
to meet the extreme penalty of the law S
tor the worst of all crimes. Yet tbn,.o |
was nothing revolving in the appearunca l
OF the criminal His dress was neat bis Il
hair carefully arranged, his mustacbr Il
1aultiess, his hands white and refined Il
looking He rose from his seat upon fb, t
bed as his lawyer entered the cell. S
knew you would come" he snid |,
courteously, though you were offended t
at my want of franlness. Well. that ie
VI ''Vl' lou VIII not refuse the last
request Of dying man, Mr.. Langtor :"
Not II can grant it." was the
reply. "' '--' o
This, said the murderer "is not II
my first offense against the law. Some Il
y'a'rs ago was sentenced to a term Of W
years for forgery. By strange acci- d
uent l escaped the penalty. On the "
same day James Fox was sentenced to al
TWO years for petty hrcency, and we 81
We're sent together to prison. Janos ol
oA-my companion, understand, not III
hyselt-was deranged, but his LAWYERS w
lau not been able to save him. as his III
VIC 'perratlon was not always apparent III
W men we were enRrred upon the books le
u The prison, imagine my anlazem,nt to
'heh my tellow-prisoner gave my name IN
Or MS own. Like Il flash l saw the pi
IuVantage to be gained by the decept.sn, ol
md allowed the error to pn.s. eX
My companion committed suicide III
no escaped with two years inipr,s,l,. tn
nent instead of seven. But i te,.r,J OF
ecognlton and went to Cuuada. There to
lVed by my wits, until year ago M
'hen returned to try and raise money :,
rom my wife, and thought l saw an ois
"sler plan by committing the crime n
)r which die tomorrow. But | want Oil
see my wife. l wrongcd hor-I W
1DDed her-but, us Heaven is nv wit ai
eSs, love her. When was in prison i1'
le dropped my name and took her own 'h'
gain. So it is not for Mrs. Alexande, a
-ull you must ask but for Mrs. Maud be'
emple." gre
Was the room reeling the ceilinn gr'
lhng-the wall closing around himj The
erald Langton felt that they were. os tut
ie name fell upon his ears. Maud = the
3 Maud-the wife of this cool yillnip IAN
no talked of his hideous crimes ns II arl
ey were ordinary events Wen. bo pre-
iew that to carry this mans messnra ms
~ 10 separate himself from Nand SIN
feVer. Never would she lot him wo
AIRY the widow Of II murderer Vorv tial
pidly all OF the terrible facts passoJ knC
e after the other through his brain ten
d he said, - ''"'n' stoi
II You love her. why add misor, tha
iief me: She may have lived dou1 sou
= oid pam you have brought her ,yh,'
selfish qualification, will Won roat, J
whole life II misery 2" '''No
She is my lawful wife. Iwonl5h;,
4 farewell "Oulu DID ~
one ~ not your wife. your o... &A