The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-22
"I didn't know II, but II am, why, l

must be thankful for the distinction"
"Oh, you must, must you, Mr.. Sar-
casm? Why don't you tell me something
moments pause.
~ 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 a place where
there was no happiness TO 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 to expect
that. But you are not without friends,
Mr. Alfreds. Most all the ladies in this
town are interested in YOU"
women are ever interested In a man
who is about TO be hanged" he replied.
"Oh, don't talk about being hanged.
I don't see how they can hang you, you
are so nice" He laughed. IL don't; /
really don't. Now if you were some ugly,
good-for-nothing thing, it would be diff
ferent You follow my advice: When
you are taken into court look just as
pleasant as you can"
"Unfortunately, Miss Ruth, the jury
will not be composed of women"
"Well, don't you fear. / think il will
come out all right"
But did 1t come out all rightp The
court met three days later, and after a
very short trial Alfreds was sentenced to
be hanged II was no surprise to him.
He was to meet death sixty days later,
on the day after Christmas. 1t was
dark when he was taken back 20 his
cell. and he clung 70 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 away on visit. Christmas
morning. The day was bright. A man
came in with the prisoners breakfast.
"Do you think the weather is likely
10 change between now and tomorrow
morning. AlfredS asked.
"Why SOP"
Because IL il should cloud to-day
will give me my last glimpse of the sun.
Has the young lady returned?'
"No, not yet"
"When do you expect her?"
"Don't know. I'm hired to chop wood
and work about the place and not To
listen TO the news of the family"
"Wir the hanging be public?"
"As public as out of doors can make
| IT."
"Do you think there'n be many peo-
pie PRESENT."
"Oh, certainly. People look for amuse-
ment during the holidays"
Unjust say that you are cold-blooded. "
"And why shouldn't l be; why
shouldn't hate every man that's un-
.ortunate?'
"Why should you is the question:"
Because served term in the pen
itentiary."
What had you doneT'
"Told the truth"
"What, they sent you to the peniten-
tiary for telling the truth?"
! eS, tney hSkeu me III Coutultttu
The forgery and said that / did"
"Oh, you are n satirist."
"Well, must go and split piece OF
knotty wood. Fires must go even II
! Christmas do come. suppose you car
salSe care of yourself to-day, and as for
tomorrow, why, the sheriff will have
20 take care Of you"
He passed out and a merry voice was
heard The prisoners blood leaped
Ruth had returned. All smiles and airs
of gayety. she entered the corridor; and
she was not alone; the sheriff and the
taller were with her.
"Mr Alfreds," she cried, "T hav,
brought you Christmas present Her,
Is your pardon"
"Open the door," said the sheriff. Be
fore Alfreds' swimming eyes the iror
bars were shadow lace work.
"Come on into the sitting-room," salt
the girl: and she led him out.
lie sat IN a rocking-chair. A Ions
time passed before he said anything.