San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-14
Love and aScrap Book
By DAVID A. CURTIS.


read she wondered what it could all
mean. Was it possible that this man
Daniel Tanning, whom she-weii, whom
she remembered, was convict
Over and over again she read the brief
story. and wondered Us she read what
it could possibly mean. 1t could not be
true, she thought, but even rs she tried
to think so stories came to her mind OF
innocent men who had suffered mis-
taken punishment, and she presently be-
gan to consider what she could do.
And the eminently sensible suggestion
came to her that she could at least find
out about it. Fortunately It was early
in the day, and she was within few
minutes Ill her carriage driving toward
her lawyers Office.
"Mr. Willwright," she said on enter
ing. Il wish to know at once what this
story means" and she handed him the
slip.
The old lawyer read the story care
fully, and said without hesitation, II
should say that 1t means that the judge
was entirely right in censuring that law
yer for a very irregular motion
"Oh! bother the judge and his CEN
sure" exclaimed Miss Latimer impa-
tiently. What / want to know is
whether that is DR.. Daniel Tanning who
has just been sentenced to the state
prison, or whether it is burglar?
happen to know" and here she changed
color ever SO little, THAT DR.. Tanning
left the city some weeks ago"
well" said Mr.. Willwright. some
what quizzically, "even that important
fact is hardly sufficient ground for as
suming that he has been convicted for
burglary under an assumed name in Hi
nois."
Now please don't joke about it."
said Miss Latimer. "ls it possible that
such terrible mistake should occurT'
"Ye-es," replied the lawyer with some
reluctance, sit is possible that such a
thing might occur. Courts are human
institutions and they do make mistakes
sometimes, But it is highly improbable
that it has really occurred"
"Then wish you would find out all
about it at once" exclaimed Miss Lati-
mer. ''Can you let mo know today"
Mr.. Willwright smiled indulgently.
Miss Latimer was good client, for he
had charge of all her property and he
could afford to humour her whims. 81
imagine" he said pleasantly, that l
may learn in u week or two"
Miss Latimer's eyes flashed. And
leave an innocent man in prison week
or two! What is the telegraph for?
Won't you ask Mr.. Playfair all about it
and let me know"
Certainly | WILL" said Mr.. Will
wright, dropping his playfulness when
he saw how earnest his client was.
Shall use your name in the inquiry
he asked.
"By no MEANS" said Miss Latimer,
blushing deeply this time. People
sneered at Miss Latimer for betraying
her feelings They said it showed lack
of good breeding. Other people admired
her all the more for it.
A few hours later a messenger from
Mr.. Willwright's Office brought her a
long telegram from Playfair to Will
wright in which the main facts of
the case were recised. 1t concluded:
"My client has insisted on retaining ad-
ditional counsel, and on sending again
to New York, but in view of the positive
nature of the Identification the clearest
possible evidence will be necessary to
upset it."
This was true enough. Mr.. Playfair
had had avery unpleasant interview with
his client after the trial. Tanning was
for time almost beside himself with
rage at the mismanagement of his case.
but realizing the gravity Of the situa
ton had Gained himself, AMI instead OF
antagonizing Playfair had instructed him
to continue the fight, only insisting that
another lawyer should also be retained
He could do no more, placed as he was,
and was now in a fever Of anxiety
waiting for evidence that should clear
him on q new trial. Playfair's first mo-
ton had been made for delay, and an
appeal had afterward been taken On
technical grounds.
The new evidence came sooner than 1t
expected. When Miss Latimer read Dr.
Sandriugham's name she ordered her
carriage again and was shortly in his
Office. She had known him al her life.
That busy man was greatly disquieted
by her questions. He remembered Play.
fairs visit at once. and the possibility
that he had by constructive negligence
been party to an innocent mans con.
victiOn for crime was most painful.
"God bless my SOUR he exclaimed in
real distress. is it possible thai Sucd Il
mistake could be nader
''It seems impossible" replied Miss