The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-10-08

highwaymen of Preston> Flat? The
house was quiet. but anon he heard
persons walking about
''They will be out soon, and l must
not let them find me here" said Wal
ter.
The sun now began to slowly ascend
Walter turned and fixed his eyes ON
the glorious orb. Supremacy bright,
it rose above the horizon flooding the
entire valley with golden light Wal
ter's whole attention was turned to-
ward the rising sun; he felt strong
impression that it might be the last
dawn he would witness. Great events
must transpire before another would
come.
GLORIOUS sight! what an emblem of
purity" said Walter. feeling a quiet
enthusiasm. els it possible that clouds
could over come to shut out such "a
diant light. Will the weight upon my
heart ever be removed, and will my
hopes ascend as bright and glorious "a
the sum-
He was silent Happiness had
never been for him, and though his
mother had 80 often said: 1T is dark
est Just before dawn" he was on the
verge of despair. There was even a
pleasure in the sadness that burdened
his soul.
While standing thus he heard faint
rustic in the path behind him, and
turning quickly about, he was aston
ished to find himself face to face with
Pinkey Miles. She uttered a low cry
and was in the act of turning to fly.
"Pinkey, Pinkey- Miss Miles. do
not be alarmed, it is l." said Walter,
in low, earnest voice.
"Why are You here?" she asked.
after q moments silence.
II staid near here last night, Pinkey
excise me for unwonted familiarity
Il mean Miss Miles, and came here
to see the sun rise, and have a look at
the old place once more, before leav-
ing it perhaps forever. did not ex-
pect to meet any of the family. much
less yourself"
Pinkeys dark eyes were downcast,
and an expression Of the deepest sad
ness stole over her face, and q mo-
ment silence enSucu.
Forgive me, Miss Miles. for tres
passing on your fathers grounds;
had no evil intentions. and assure you
this will be the last time"
care you going away from Bush
ville?" Pinkey at length asked. with
just little anxiety in her tone.
Il shall soon, Miss Miles. 1 have
suffered more in Preston Flat than
ever thought human could endure; it
seems that here have no friends. NV
every act and thought are miscon-
strued, and am regarded with suspi-
cion by all. Were l the greatest Grim
inal on earth, people would not regard
me with more suspicion, l know,
Pinkey-forgive me for calling you by
that name-but know you have heard
these rumors. They are false; swear
to you by all my hopes of Heaven that
they are false. care not what Others
may believe of me am innocent
II know it, the girl said, hardly able
to repress her rising tears.
THANK Heaven for that! 0, that
your father could only believe it, too. "
HE would but for one thing. Wal
ter SAID Plnkey.
"What is that!' asked the youth.
eagerly. "f l only knew might
convince him of my innocence"
ut is one circumstance, and only
one by which you are suspected by ia
ther. On the night of the attack on
Mr.. Brown, when father rescued him.
he inquired for you. and brother John
and Ben as soon as he came home.
You were not here. and came in an
hour or so after the wounded mans ar
rival That was late at night, and We
all supposed you in bed"
'.Pinkey, l will tell you and must
ask your pardon as l do so. If Can
convince YOU of my innocence / care
not what the world may think. could
not sleep that night-my soul seemed
on fire. The cause was yourself, and
the utter hopelessness of my ever be-
ing worthy of You. arose and
slipped down the stairway unseen, and
almost unconsciously l followed the
forest road to the school-house, along
which we-or Twas SO happy return
ing from church. Each tree and shrub
there seemed dear to me. l fingered
long by the way. My thoughts were
of you, and Heavens, ii could have
died that night, how much better it
would have been. How much misery
l would have been spared"
The reader may smile at Walter, yet
how many have had experiences SIM
liar to this. Many are the long lone
some walks taken by the lover, down
wooded paths. perhaps grown dear by
tender associations. In after life such
things are regarded as among the fol-
lies of youth; yet at the time they are
realities, giving the most intense pleas
ure or pain.
Walter paused 4 moment after hav.
ing concluded the above, striving TO
meet the eyes of the timid girl before
him; he said:
'.Pinkey, what l have told you is the
truth. l never intended to tell any
mortal of that nights walk; 1 would
not tell another even if l should han
for a crime l never committed. More
dear to me than life itself are honor
and the knowledge that you believe
me innocent. The time will come, and
soon, too, when the world will know l
am innocent; but will perhaps not be
alive then. l want to know now.
Pinkey, do you believe me Innocent"
Il do" she answered. with emotion
and earnestncss. Il know YOU not
only to be innocent of crime, but
manly and honorable"
''Ihank you! Now farewell, per-
haps foreverr He took her little hand,
which tremb.cd, within his own 4 mo-
ment. Finkey's head was turned away.
for she dared not let him see the tears
in her eyes.
When next she looked Walter was
gone. He had disappeared in the for