The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-24
this young lady, j." said Adele turning to leave

-iueIe ItopeWeI, your daughter, Is the
aflianccd blide not of ,Jere Eontaine the crimi
nal,but Of @ere Fontaine, the innocent man
convicted and sentenced to be hanged for a
crime that he is as innocent of as babe I'M
born"
Without another word Adele left her SEEM
ingly SPECIFICS parents and went to her own
room.
1t was very late when Adeles parents retired
that night 1t is useless to mention what kept
them awake SO long. The murder case was
uppermost III their thoughts 1t was the new
turn the affair was taking, or had taken, that
interested them so much. When at last they
did retire the opinion of the inmates of that
house was unanimous as to the innocence of
Jere Fontaine:
''He was innocent!''
II have positive orders, sir, not to let any
one see the prisoner without written order
from the sheriff.
1t was the iailer who addressed these re-
marks to gentleman who had applied for per-
mission TO have short interview with Jere
Fontaine.
well, sir, am detective, and have been
working on this case, and it is very important
that should see him, and at once!"
"Relative of the prisoner"
mo, sir, friend only.''
'You will have to get an order, sir.'
every we'll"
An hour later the stranger appeared at the
Jail entrance with the proper papers and was
at once admitted into the cell of Jere Fon-
taine He was seated in chair in the farthest
corner of his cell, with his face buried in his
hands.
"Alr. Fontaine!'
Jere slowly raised his head and looked in
quisitively at the speaker. The stranger
slowly advanced with outstretched hand,
which Jere took carelessly.
''Do you know me, Mr.. Fontane?"
II do not, SIR
81 viii give you one more chance to guess.
Look closely now, and see if you do not know
mel "
Jcre looked the stranger over from head to
foot, and smiling family said
This is no time for jests, sir, do not know
you'll
Throwing his hat to one side and jerking
big hand full of false whiskers from his chin,
the stranger said:
Adele Hopewell, sir, at your seryice!"
we will not attempt to describe the scene
that followed this declaration. 1t was a scene
the like of which could only occur between
lovers placed in their position Adele Hope
well, beautiful girl just budding into woman
hood, paying visit in disguise to her lover in
the prison cell, whom the world looked upon
as felon, but who was everything that was
noble and true in her eyes; the scene was in
deed affecting
The life of her handsome, and condemn
ed lover was short, indeed he had only three
days more to live unless something unforeseen
transpired to prevent the carrying out of the
sentence Of the court.
Top - oil Jolo
greetings were over, 81 have run a great risk
in coming here in the guise that I have. T
have oyerstepped the bounds of maidenly mod
esty, know, but the great love bear for YOU
inlpelled me. and / could not resist it, ESQ
much wanted to talk with and comfort YOU
that know you will forgive me, won't you
| Jere ?'
'Of course, darling, but while your coming
is welcome, thrice welcome yet it will be har-
der for me to give you up now, than ever. I
fear you will be discovered in leaving here"
"Maybe not" answered Adele with poor
attempt at smiling 81 got in all right; it
looks like [ ought to get out without being
discovered
"Well, I trust So, said Jere.
Il came here to talk to you about your case,
Jere. Now, how do you account for the state
ment of one of the witnesses who swore that if
on your clothes? He even went so far as to
swear that you wore white rose for button
hole bouquet Well, if you remember gave
you white rose the evening before the muir
der was committed, and you pinned it on the
lapel CT your coat. How do you account for
that? 2"
"God only knows groaned Jero.
"And the ring of mine that you have been
wearing, with my name, Adele engraved in
it, was found in the room soon after the murder
was committed"
Only God And L hadn't missed it 1t is
gone"
ooh, Jere, tell me, as You fear heaven, did
you do it ?"
"Adele, do you, then, believe me guilty?
Oh, God, that the execution would take place
now-this very moment! You believe me
guilty. the world believes me guilty; probably
! am guilty. No, no. Heaven forbid Heaven
forbid"
Then Jere, you are innocent? Speak,"
Gas God is my witness, yes"
Approaching footsteps warned Adele to don
her disguise, aud when the iaiIer reached the
door the stranger was holding Jere by the
hand, pouring words OF encouragement and
comfort into his ears.
"Time's up, stranger said the iailer as he
unlocked the door to Jere's cell.
can right, sir" replied Adele and after
thanking him for his kindness, she left her
| doomed lover, probably never to see him again
on this earth, the thought of which almost
drove poor Adele wild with despair.
~.
Friday, the fateful day, dawned bright and
beautiful Judge ard Mrs. Hopewell and
Adele were seated around the breakfast table,
and the conversation naturally turned upon
the execution of Jere Fontaine. Poor Adele's
eyes we're swollen from much weeping. Her
endeayors to hide that fact from her parents
failed OF their purpose. One thing she had
resolved upon if Jere s life was sacrificed that
day hers would follow. If he died she cared
not to live.
MARS Hopewell dar's er man at de do wat
wants ter see yer, sah announced old Pomp,
one of the servants.
"Did he send his card 2"
"No, sah," chuckled Pomp
'What arc you laughing at?" demanded the
judge.
"Doan' s'pose he car'ys any keerds, SAIL"
cone Of those everlasting tranps, / sup
pose" said Judge Hopewel, angrily; "tell
! IL.