The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-12

The words wer uttered slowly and
in n voice that was clear and distinct
as clarion. The speaker remained
silent then to see what effect they had
on the girl.
~ don't believe it," Jessie burst out
impulsively. You never committed
crime in your life. You couldn't dc
It,"
And yet might be an ex-convict,
or rather an escaped convict" rctorted
her lover with sad smile.
"Thcn you have been uniustly nc.
cused. You are innocent. know YOU
are. Oh, say that you are, Salmon."
She had graspcd his arm and she
continued, in high, strained key:
1T would kill me to know that YOU
were guilty. Tell me that you are in
noccnt and l will believe you against
the whole world. Speak. Salmon"
The strong lines of the mans face
twitched ncrvously and he regarded
the girl with n strange light in his eyes:
Jessie, am innocent of the crime
they accuse me of. | swear it before
God and you. Amcn!"
II knew it! l knew it!' the girl
cried, in ecstasy, and. throwing her
arms around her lovers neck, she
kissed him
Nevertheless, the man was pale and
nervous. He returned the carcsscs ten
derby, but his eyes were directed
toward the distant village.
81 came here for your advice" he
whispered. finally. land l shall do as
you tell me. Shall flee or stay?'
Flee? No, certainly not, if you are
innocent"
But they will lock me up just the
same. ! was unjustly condemned. and
stayed in prison until couldn't stand
it any longer. l escaped year before
my time expired. Now they will take
me back, and keep me two years. If l
fec they can never find me-"
But that would be cowardly," the
girl said. NO, stay, and let them take
you back. and we will have you re-
leased"
But think of the disgrace. All OF
these good people believe i'll me- and
they would curse me if l should be ar
rested
NO, no; they have too much faith in
you. They will trust you rs l do. When
you are free again you can come bacl.
here, and we will all love you as now :"
"Amcn." replied the preacher, sol
EMMY. IF every one had the love and
trust of you, Jessie, there would be no
crime committed in this world'
There was n long sill ence, and the
two felt the glow of their love strength.
ening each other for the coming trial.
1--WE will go down to the village, my
dear" Mr.. Chase said, finally. Il will
deliver myself up, and leave You to-
night don't want any of my friends
to sec inc going away with the officers.
You can tell my story to them in the
II orning.''
Slowly and sadly the two lovers
walked toward Pnewood in the gloom
of the early evening. They went direct
to Jessie's home, where preparations
for long separation were made. Then
the minister walked over to the house
where the officers were staying and de-
livcred himself up to them. Before day
break they had left the village of Pine
WOOD End We're we'll on their way To-
ward heighboring county Jail
The story of the arrest spread like
wildfire the following day. Jessie Ere
mont explained everything to the vii
lage people and not one was unwilling
to take up arms i'll favor OF their false
ly imprisoned preacher. So strong had
been his influence for good that the
trusting, confiding people of Pine wood
and the surrounding country believed
his word against the testimony of the
courts and circumstantial evidences.
a monster petition was prepared and
forwarded to the governor. The work
of the preacher in Pincwood was dwclt
upon; but no new trial could DC or
dered.
The year slowly dragged along, and
Jessie Fremont continued to worl,
assiduously to effect the release of her
lover. The townspeople were good to
her, comforting her in her sorrow. and
sustaining her by their tokens of 10y
atty.
When the day of release came dele
CATION of the best village peoplc went
to the county jail and escorted their
former minister joyfnlly to Pine wood
Salmon Chase had not changed much
during the year, excepting that he
looked more serious and devout. He
accepted the signs of welcome quietly,
but the expression on his face showed
that he was deeply affected by the
trust of his people. They were plain,
honest farmers, loyal to their friends,
and full of sympathy and affection in
their homcly way. Salmon Chase had
evidently associated with n different
type Of people during his earlier days,
and the sturdiness of their character
was surprise and pleasure to him.
lie was installed in his old place as
pastor of the church, and events of the
past were seldom alluded to, except in
a regretful way. The early converts
of the rcvivalist had mostly remained
true to the church. and the man soon