The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-12-22
SHE PRETENDED TO POUT

boast of the neighborhood that she
could parse anything. | sa--' mysteri-
Gus, for parsing was a vague mystery to
many people who were glib in repeat
ing this bit of commendable brag.
Ruth, from the first moment of Alfreds
im;, comment, showed a sympathetic
inter est in him. He had dreamy eyes,
waving chestnut hair, and was there
fore innocent In the afternoon, when
the Jail corridor was lighted by the sun,
she often placed her rocking chair near
the door of Alfreds' cell, and sitting
there sewed and talked to him.
would you let me out if you could
get the lsey?" he asked, one day.
She pretended to pout. why should
I? You'd run away and then I'd not
have anybody to talk to-"
But if stay here to talk to you
shall be hanged"
Yes, but a woman would rather talk
to a man, even if he is to be hanged for
it, than not to talk at ALL
What an odd little creature you are,
Miss Ruth"
"Oh you think I'm odd, do you? That
isn't very kind Of you. l was in hopes
that | was something besides odd.
Anybody can be odd"
but anybody can't have your sort OF
oddity"
oh. then, I've got the oldest sort OF
oddity. don't know whether TO like
that or not. Do you know that you are
the only man | ever met that didn't try
to Aatter me?'
81 didn't know it, but If am, why,
must be thankful for the distinction"
"Oh, you must, must you, Mr.. Sar.
casm? Why don't you tell me something
moments pause.
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 from?"
II have come from 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?"
mo, don't think l 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 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. II 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 I think it will
come out all right"
But did it come out all right? The
court met three days later, and after g
very short trial Alfreds was sentenced &c
He was to meet death sixty days later,
on the day after Christmas. It was
dark when he was taken back to his
cell, and he chung to 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
to change between now and tomorrow
morring?" Alfreds asked.
why SOP"
Because if it 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 her3'
Don't know. I'm hired to chop wood
and work about the place and not to
listen to the news of the family"
Twill 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 be; why
shouldn't hate every man that's un.
fortunate?'
"Why should you is the question:"
Because served a term in the pen.
itentiary."
What had you done?"
Told the truth