The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1892-12-03

%I
"You are Ogden Chalmers Tell M
tcint 1t means"
Almost half score of years of the
lockstep and other little matters of pris.
on discipline had left their impress on
Ogden Chalmers. There were deer
lines in his face and gray threads in his
hair when at last the state was satisfied
and had declared him again free man.
He felt no citation at the fact that he
was to go out into the world again and
become part of it. He had lost touch
with it, and felt that he had no longer
any share in the worlds work. Al
though he had not thought of it, per-
haps if the question had been asked he
would just as lief have served the rest
Of his days out there. The prison life
does not make q man ambitious, anx-
ious to cope with his fellows.
At the warden's office, where he must
60 for his formal discharge, woman
was waiting to meet him. Some sister
Of mercy-a would be good Samaritan.
he supposed, and wished she had not
come, but with his old instinct of cour-
tesy toward all women b. sseut forward
and greeted her.
It was Lima Tenant
81 wrote to tho warden" she said in
quick explanation. HE told me it
would be today; SO have come to see
you and to say goodby."
Chalmers stared at her, but did not
answer. She had not extended her
hand nor given any other sign of greet
ing or of recognition beyond her mefe
words. He tried to think why she had
come-why at all if only to say goodby
and why was she so cold and distant? It
had not been SO when they last met. He
looked down while ne was asking him
self this, and his eye took in the coarse
suit that had replaced his prison dress.
He was not convict now-but-and
slowly and fearfully the truth dawned
upon hiln-burned like molten iron
through all his being-sent the red
blood surging up over face and fore
head-made him shrink and cringe from
this woman's eyes as he had never be-
fore from any human beings dawned
upon him, / say, the fact that now and
for all time he was an ex-convict. To
Lima Tenant, to all pure women and
noble men ne was now and for all time
an outcast. He heard her words but
duly as she spoke again. He wished
that she would have mercy ON him and
go away.
81 promised you," he heard her say
ing, ''that would wait, that if living
would be here to meet you today. This
promise have kept, although YOU can
not know what it has cost me. But
another promise that made Il cannot
keep. and because am not willing that
you should mistake my reasons and SO
think hardly of me will tell you why.
If you had not deceived me would vet
have been your wife. If, having de-
ceived me, you had yet confessed your
wrong and asked to be forgiven might
have yielded. But now both love and
and faith in you are dead. Goodby."
She put out her hand with the last
words, and Chalmers took it and held it
close in his own, while his poor confused
brain tried hard to understand her
meduluS.
She had promised to be his wife.
No, not his, but Georges wife, and now
she would not, for "both love and faith
were dead" Love for him? No. for
George that was dead. She was talking
OF George. not to him. And she thought
it was George before her.
Chalmers held her hand in q grasp of
iron. SO that she WINGED with pain; but
he did not see. for he was clinging.
through it, to life and hope and love.
"Lina! Lima Tenant" His voice was
only hoarse whisper, but something in
1t brought startled look to her face.
'LoOk at me-" he said. 81 am not
George Chalmers. Do You not know
me?'
Eyes, yes" she said, gazing at him
with wide eyes. II know You. know
you now You are Ogden Chalmers.
Tell me what it means. How did You
come hereY'
"Waiti" he answered, cautioning her.
SHOT here-not in this place. Let us go |
away, outside-anywherc."
They went out together upon the
street into the midst Of the busy life of |
The city; but Chalmers forgot to look |
sbOut him at the brightness from which |
ae had been shut SO long. There was