Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1892-12-23
81 didn't know IL, but II 1 am, why, I

Obun KNOW W. uut II hLl1, why,
must be thankful for the distinction"
''Oh, you must, must you, Mr.. Sar-
casmp Why don't you tell me something
about yourselfT' she asked, after .
moments pause.
81 have-I have told you that am
innocent"
"Oh, that isn't anything. Anybody
can be innocent Where do your people
live?"
81 haven't any people"
"Well, where do you come fromp"
"I have come from o place where
there was no happiness 10 place where
nothing but misery and disgrace can be
expected"
"You make me sad when you talk
that way, Mr.. Alfreds-"
"And would you expect me TO inspire
gayety, Miss RUTH"
'No, don't think I ought 10 expect
that. But you are not without friends,
Mr.. Alfreds- Most all the ladies in this
town are interested In you"
"women arc ever Interested In q man
who is about TO be hanged" he replied
"Oh, don't talk about being hanged
I don't sec how they can hang you, you
are so nice" He laughed. ~ don't; /
really don't Now II you were some ugly,
good-for-nothing thing, it would be dift
ferent. You follow my advice. When
you are taken into court look Just as
pleasant as you can"
"Unfortunately, Miss Ruth, the jury
VIII not be composed Of women"
"Well, don't you fear. l think It Will
GENE out all right"
But did IL come out ell right2 The
court met three days later, aud'after q
very short trial Alfreds waA- sentenced to
be hanged. II was no surprise TO him
He was to meet death sixty days later,
on the day after Christmas. II was
dark when he was taken back 20 his
cell, and he chung 10 hope that Ruth
might come TO console him; but the
weary hours passed and loud-mouthed
dogs bayed the turn Of night Morning,
and still no sympathetic face, no voice
of soft encouragement Weeks passed
Ruth was eway on . visit Christmas
morning. The day was bright. A man
came In with The prisoners breakfast
"Do you think the weather 10 likely
10 change between now and tomorrow
m0rning7' Alfreds asked
why so2"
because II Il should cloud to-day
viii give me my last glimpse Of the sun
Has the young lady returned2"
mo, not yet"
when do you expect herr
"Dont know. I'm hired TO chop wood
and work about the place and not 70
listen 10 the news Of the family"
"Win the hanging be public2"
"As public as out of doors can make
IT,
"Do you think there'll be many peo-
pie present."
"Oh, certainly. People look for amuse-
ment during the holidays"
II Unjust say that you arc cold blooded F"
Sand why shouldn't be; why
shouldn't hate every man that's un-
Fortunately"
"Why should you Is the question:
because served a term In the pen
itentiary."
what had you doneP"
Told the truth"
what. they sent you 70 the peniten-
tiary for telling the TRUTH"
"Yes, they asked me II ! committed
the forgery and said that did"
"Oh, you are satirist."
"Well, must go and split piece OF
l1notty wood. Fires must go even II
Christmas do come. suppose you can
take care of yourself to-day, and as for
tomorrow. why, the sheriff will have
70 take care of you"
He passed out aud q merry voice wa
heard The prisoners blood leaped.
Ruth had returned AL smiles and airS
Of gayety, she entered the corridor; and
abe was not alone; the sheriff and the
jailer wore with her.
"Mr Alfreds," she cried. II have
brought you AChristmas present Here
n your pardon"
'open the door" said the sheriff. Be
fore Alfreds' swimming eyes the iron
bars were ahAAow laoe work.
''como on into The dtting-room.r sait
tha girl, and she led him o1k
He sat m Fooltina-chaAr. A long
tine passed before hs sAid anythlng,