Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-09-11
TOO LATE.


FURNISHED brass In the clo-dless sky, its
rays seeming to burn through the very
roofs OF the dwelling and scOrching the
life out OF the pale flowers. But upon
the old stone prison it seemed to coneen-
trate it, pitiless force, striving to heat
the corridors and cells as it had heated
the CITY homes. 1t flashed into the iron
barred windows, cruelty mOcking the
Wretched inmates with dreams of flower
starred, sun bathed meadows where they
use to wander ere the dark shadow Of a
prison cell fell over their lives.
But to the occupant OF one dreary
cell the golden lances that fell upon his
unkept hair brought no happy dreams
They whispered instead, Of a life whose
end was near. They seemed to form in
Vulnerable nooses upon the wall which
he watched with wild eyes. The length
ening shadows fascinated him. How
often he thought Of his young
wife, who would be a fslon's widow ere
widow, but that wOuld be tine worlds
verdict.
The details OK his trial were sered upon
his brain. He had stood before his
fathers friend, a prisoner, charged with
Numbering his best friend; had stood
there and listened to the evidence which
convicted him-Purely circumstantial
and Of the most complicated character;
had stood silently while the old Judge
pronounced sentence Of death with tears.
And now, as he lay watching the light
glide across the rough wall, he said, with
a shudder:
''To-morrow's sunset Will fail upon my
dishonOrel gravel Ny poor wifel Oh
GodI to see. her once again; to bid her an
eternal fareWelIV'
The stone corridor echoed with ap-
preaching footsteps, and then the key
grated in the lock. The door swung
open and a woman glided in. The next
instant the bowed head lay upon her
breast, and her tears and pitiful sObs
mingled with his. For many moments
they uttered no words but broken endear-
ments.
She was young and fair, not even her
extreme pallor and dark circled eyes
could hide her beauty. Her dress was
simple. yet elegant, and the only thing
that would attract notice were her ear
rings, black balls banded around
the center by narrow strips Of gold.
Strange relics Of barbarism to be worn
by one so fair.
When their tears had ceased she told
him how she had strived to reach him
before, but in vain. How they had re-
fused her most speciOus pleading. How
she went to see the governor many times
before she obtained an audience, and how
he granted her permission to remain
with him the last few hours Of his life
How she had flown with light heart OF
make the necessary preparations, and
now she was in his arms, happy. For
getting for a while the dread sentence oil
death which threw it's shadow like pail
over her husbands heart, she chatted
gaily OF her many efforts and ina
victory over crder gOalers-
Suddenly she whispered a few words
IL his ear,-his face grew CHASTITY as he
cried:
''Nol no, darling; can not consent to
it. Do not ask mel'
"Don't say no. dear, for L shall never
leave you again" she whispered as she
caressed his pale face.
"Reminiscences were in vain. Sh'
pleaded with kisses and tears until hi
resolution gave way.
From the brazen throat of the grea
bell in the old gray tower Of the city
hall pealed two sOnOrOus notes. lit
sun beat down with terrible force upon 1
pedestrian, forcing great drops Of per
SEPARATION down the sharp outlines OF 1
face like marble in pallOr. His clothes
hung loosely upon his thin frame anC
his hands, in which no trace of bloOC
seemed to Inger, aided him in his ad
vance by clinging to the buildings t,
steady his tOttering steps. The SHADOW
OF deaths seal of silence lay upon h1
once handsome face, yet his dark eye
burned with a resolute fire. A look o
hope crept into his face as he saw tn
city hall across the way, and leaving tn
support o. the buildings, he slOwl.
CROSSED the street. His senses were tas
Rrowing confused as he became entang
led in the maze OF vehicles CONSTANT.
coming and going. He staggered, threw
M his arms with an inarticulate cry
and fell, an inert mass, beneath the irol
hoofs which seemed to crush the las
breath from ont the fral body. He wa
lifted up carefully, and conveyed to tn
hospital where the surgeon pronounce'
aim fatally injured, with but few hour
OF life at the farthsst. But even thu
short time seemed coveted by death, 70
the hours crept slowly by and still tn
Iaborsd. convulsive breathing was tn
only SIGN of life. At last the death
damp grew thick upon his pale lips an'
brow, and respiration was barely per
esptible. His clenched teeth relaxed
and the rigid outlines OF his bruises
body seemed to soften
ale is diving I" whispered the nurse
As they stood silently waiting for tn
great change, the dark eyes opened ant
rested upon them half eurioualy.
a'What time is it?" he Whispers
family.
stHalEpast i've" was the reply.
aAnd tomorrow at eight be dies u q
orisd with sudden energy.
They tried ia vain to calm himi AM
the surgeon proposed an opiate.
II VIII not take that stun, no cried
''5end Tor Judge Hail. FOR efod's SAKE
Fhs rnraeon attempted % lift bis heaI