Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-24

his city residence and taken a per-
manent abode at Grassbank, where
knowing my husband to be an unwel>
come guest, I never visited him. /
wrote occasionally, but the love OF
yeals, like that OF father and child,
had been so sadly strain ed by my per-
sistence in marrying Alexander that
even our correspondence was languia
and commonplace.
IT would not therefore write to
hina to ask a favor that I knew would
not have been necessary without
criminal recklessness of expenditure,
and each refusal made my husband
more furious. Then came an over
whelming blow. Alexander forged a
check and drew E2, 900 of Uncle Rich
ards money FROM the bank I don't
think my uncle would have prescott
ed him had he guessed who was the
forger, but he put the whole matter in
the hands of the law when he heard
the check was forged It 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 business upon his mar
rage, but when he found himself
without money his knowledge Of the
business enabled him to forge the
name of Derkiss & Co. Even if I'M
Gle Richard had spared him for my
sake the other forgery would have en-
titled him To penal servitude. He was
sentenced to seven years, and uncle
took me home, full of pity for the
child who had treated him SO migrate
fully"
"Then your husband is ia prison?"
said Gerald, in a hard, strained voice.
s'No, he is dead. He died within
the first year. Uncle Richard saw
the death in paper and sent the
Money for the burial. No, am free,
but ana the widow of felon,"
''And you are the woman I honor
and love above all others, and hope
still to make my wife," said Gerald,
It took, however, more than one in.
terview full of loves proceedings to
win Maude from her resolution. She
so honored her lover, was so proud of
his good name and the position he had
attained by his talent, that her sensl-
tive 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
Maude had then promised to be his
wife.
eff you are willing to take Alexan~
der Hull's widow to be your wife, +"
she said, 81 will not oppose you any
longer, for I love you with all my
heart"
He had no thought but of that glad
triumph when he turned up the gas
IN ais Office He was ia 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 look
ing envelope, but directed in a bold,
handsome 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. ! have now a, last favor to ask
of you. I die, as you know, at noon
tomorrow. You, as my lawyer, can
see me at any time. Will you come
as soon as you receive this, and win
the gratitude of the man you know as
JAMES Fox.
1.-THE man I know as James Fox"
muttered the lawyer, "the smooth,
plausible scoundrel who actually
made me believe him innocent of the
hideous murder for which he was con-
victed. I can find extenuation for
some murders, but this cold FLOODED
assassination of an old man for money
only, was revolving. How he deceiv-
ed me, though, for time. And how
he exulted over his success in doing
SO when ne saw the facts were too
strong. Shall I go to aim? I suppose
[ must. 1t is still very early"
It was not yet midnight when
Gerald Langton was ushered into the
cell of the man who, in a few sAort
hours, was to meet the extreme pen
atty of the law for the worst of all
crimes. Yet there was nothing revolt
ing 10 the appearance of the crimal.
His dress was neat, his hair carefully
arranged, his mustache faultless, his
hands white and refined looking. He
rose from his seat upon the bed as his
lawyer entered the cell.
II knew you would come" he said,
courteously, though you were of.
Tended at my want of frankness.
Well, that is ali over. You will not
refuse the last request of a dying man,
Mr.. Lannton?"
mot if I can grant it." was the re-
ply.
"This," said the murderer, is not
my first offense against the law. Some
years ago l was sentenced to a term of
seven years for forgery. By a strange
accident I escaped the penalty. On
the same day James Fox was sentenc-
ed to two years for petty larceny, and
we were sent together to prison.
James Fox my companion, under
stand, not nyseif-was deranged, but
his lawyers had not been able to save
him, as his alteration was not always
apparent. When we were entered
upon the book of the prison, imagine
my amazement when my fellow pris~
oner gave my name for his own. Like
49, I, - 80