The record-union., 1892-04-16

fixed in speechless amazement upon his
! friends face, and, at last, gasps, Explain
| it, Dick. Blowed if l can understand
| you"
thrust deep into his pockets, hurriedly
and impatiently PAGES the room.
The case is this: And, in its self, the
facts are plain, simply showing the lady
l cannot call her prisoner-an innocent,
helpless girl"
Then she is innocent?"
TO all intents and purposes-yes.'
And imprisoned through mistaken
evidence? All, now, / am beginning to
understand
mo, Ted, she is guilty, and guilty of a
very grave offense-that Of forgery. The
story is this: Miss Isabel Keith-the lady
refer to-was, with her mother, left at
the time of her fathers death COM
pletely penniless. This poverty Mrs.
keith's brother, a wealthy landowner,
promised to tighten by few pounds
from his overfilled purse. TO be brief,
Mrs. Keith was slowly dying of con-
sumption. The money which they ex-
pected upon certain day was not forth
coming. The daughter was heart broken
and almost bereft of reason, one grief
upon another in such quick succession.
First. the death of her father and now
the threatened loss of this dearly loved
mother so soon to follow. And she, poor
poor girl, without the means to furnish
or procure proper nourishment for the
invalid, day by day and hour by hour
she watched, prayed and waited for the
promised remittance. One by one she
sold or pawned the few simple trinkets
and ornaments which she possessed
aye, even piece by piece the clothing
from her body, until, maddened by des-
pair, and bordering upon the verge of
braln-fever, she decided upon a deSper-
ate and daring step to forge check upon
the village bank in her uncle's name for
the paltry amount promised. The re-
solve was no sooner formed than accom-
plished, for she with her conscience ar
gued this money would help to brighten
the last few remaining days of that suf-
fering mother, and If by chance should
| the money come, she would return it to
her uncle, confess all, and trust TO his
mercy for forgiveness. Poor girl, she
reckoned without her host unfortu-
nately, for her uncle was dead--dead
already week, in fact, when she forged
the check, leaving to his wife, young,
Ignorant person whom he had but lately
married, all his vast wealth. Mrs. Keith
died two weeks after, surrounded bv
many extra little comforts, and then,
after the funeral, Isobel went to her
uncle'S widow, and upon her knees con-
fessed the crime. The woman was furi-
Gus, and she called upon the law to
prosecute this orphan girl. At the time
Isobel was brought to prison, raving
with deliriouS fever, and sentenced to
serve ten years at hard labor. But six
months of that time has passed." and,
sinking into his chair with a grOan, ito
think this refined, beautiful creature
must mingle amidst a lot of depraved
fellons; women who are lost to ali moral
instincts. She cannot ive--it will kill
her,"
Perhaps Trevor unused. sit would
| be the best thing that could happen"
NO, by heaven, jumping to his feet.
eS, butt laying a soothing hand
upon Dicks shoulder-''be sensible.
Even were she free tomorrow you could
not marry her."
And why not, pray?'
surely" laughing slightly, you are
not in earnest when you speak of mar
riage with this woman, for no matter
how beautiful she is, or apparently limo
cent were her motives, forgery is nasty
crime, and you would not wed con-
vict.'
''Ah, would I not? At this instant 1
would take her to my heart gladly,
thankfully, if she would have me.''
And defy the world?"
"The world, forsooth! Oh, man, man,
don't talk about the world to me. She is
my world. L would guard and cherish
her so proudly, for''-solemnly-' feel
and know she is the one woman created
for me. l would give my life this day if,
by so doing, could procure her pardon
my poor love-
Cheer up, old chap. 1 had no idea
you were SO hard hit, and''-fugitively
brushing tear from his eye-"by Jove
you have my sympathy. I'm your
friend. Dash III if money can help Miss
Keith I'll spend the whole of my fortune
like water to procure her pardon"
Dick brushes his friends hand silently.
'God bless you, Ted"
keep a stiff upper lip and you'll see
what my eloquence will do. If I don't
take tilt in her favor you can have my
head"
In less than month, 10! an official