Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-07-26

cried with a shiver. Her interest had
suddenly tagged. Curiosity had given
place to horror. Diapers face haunt
ed her. Where had she seen it7 What
did it all meant
"Mr. Grafton" she said, suddenly,
through the wards. / have Just
thought of something, and ! must go
back to Ferndale by the first train"
Naturally, Mr.. Grafton stared, but
Nancy made very brief excuses.
II must go at once" she said fever
ishly; and she was not much used to
being deferred.
When John Draper came back from
his dinner, there was flush on his
otherwise pale face, and he gazed up
at the court yard stairs, half in dread,
half in hope. He had pinned Nancy's
bunch of violets in the buttonhole of
his prison jacket, and as he glanced
down he wondered whether she could
not see how fast his heart was beating
underneath.
But Nancy was not there. He pass
ed into the gloomy wards with sense
of keen disappointment
"What fool ami" he said as he
took the violets from his buttonhole
and inhaled their delicate perfume.
"What woman will ever look second
time at man like me2 Least of all
woman SO wonderfully fair as she is
Oh, but she had beautiful face-so
soft, and sweet, and tenderl A man
might die for woman like that-ah.
that would only be too great a privi-
lege!"
He sighed audibly and one of his
comrades, a coarse fellow who was
arrested for burglary, remarked with
laugh that No. n was ''struck dead
on the girl with the posies."
Draper walked quickly away. He
was afraid of saying something VIC
lent.
The days were twice as dull after
that. A week passed away and Draper
was still dreaming of fair face and
its halo of blonde hair about which
there seemed to hover an odor of fresh
violets. He was sitting III the court
yard one morning with book in his
hand, when the warden came up and
spoke to him.
II have news for you, Draper" he
said kindly. THE money you were
accused of stealing has been found in
a little bank in T. 1t has been
lying there untouched for over year.
The courtyard seem to swim before
the poor fellows eyes.
do you mean-yOu don't mean
he stammered.
II mean you are a free man., said
the warden, heartily. you can step
forth from this place without faint
of dishonor upon your name. The
world has used you lily, but you will
find it ready, I think, to make every
atonement"
Thank God" Draper murmured
huskily Thank God!'
The warden grasped his hand and
shook it warmly.
II am very glad for YOU" he said.
From the first felt you did not be-
long here"
But how did they find out-whc
told2" Draper asked, faint with his OWL
emotions
That is the charm of itl' said the
warden, smiling. 1T is all the doing
of that pretty girl who was here last
week. She is Mr. Stevens grand
daughter, it appears, and in looking
over his papers, she found a memor
andum which cleared you completely
The old gentleman had forgotten tc
of it. 1t was rather dear bit of care
, lessness, but you are all right now
and everybody is waiting to lionizt
you"
Tears came into Diapers eyes. H.
could not speak. A fair sweet face
shone through the mist, and he called
blessing upon Nancy's head for he1
kindly intervention.
He could hardly credit his ears whe1
he was called into the office and heard
his pardon read In an hour or so he
was wall;ing down the street clad il
his old clothes, with only his shor
s hair and Smooth face to suggest hi!
former attire and occupation.
Draper went at once u his lawyer.
Office and heard in detail the story 81
his release
"And now what are you going
> 10 doi" said Mr. Winters, kindly
, Doubtless you can do as you please
You will have no end of offers.
IL think l shall go way" Draper
said, looking down. II do not fee
E like seeing my old friends. The all
, of the prison seems to cling to me-"
. Nonsense said Mr. Winters
S why, people look on you as mar
! tyr"
Il have lived eight months in thu
penitentiary," Draper answered, sad
r ly. II can never forget that"
'Oh, well Of course you feel that
said the lawyer; but you won't by
$ and-bye. Come, cheer up, John. Lift
rs brighter than it ever was"
There is one thing must do" h,
. said, irrelevantly. "Where does Mis-
Stevens liver"
; "Oh, ahl To be surer'
John called upon Nancy the mex
| day in town, whittier she had com,
S again in furry of excitement
, "Oh, Mr.. Draperl" she cried at one,
when she saw him. II am so glad
: Can you ever forgive met"
Forgive you'll can never thanl
a you enough" said John, warmly
2 lyon rescued me- from a living death