The morning call., 1893-02-12

| been waiting, the little boy meanwhile con-
tinuing TO ery loudly. and two OF the women
sobbng pteously; the fourth advanced and
paused with his eyes upon Inc.
1t was Tom, but Cor a few minutes l did
not know him. His face was fiery red and
wet with sweat as though lie had been
brought fresh from some eXhausting labor,
his hair was closely cut and his beard was
cieanlY shaved. The lOathsome garb had as
utterly transformed bin though he had
been wrapped in the shroud of the dead. /
cried his name and fed 10 him. He locked
ne 10 his arms, and so we stood for little
while sDeeChless.
MY Marian y
ION. Tom, time is precious and I have
much to say. Have you received any letters
from me ?"
None"
"I have written 10 you often. Why did
they not give you my letters? But you
would not think because you did not hear
from NE that 1 was forgetting you"
Have you heard from me, MaEian?"
mo, Tom"
Il have written. But a prison governor
may stop a fel0n's letters, and mine have
been stopped and they have not given me
yours. We may have written too strongly"
He started. and looked at ME a little
wildly and cried, Marian, why are you
here? This atmosphere is pollution. Look
at my dress, look at these hands. | have
worn chains / am driven as though | were
a mad and dangerous beast, | am herded
with ruffians, on, God, and l am innocent.
| swear by your pure heart. Marian, l am
gultless Of the crime for which they have
put me into this ship. and for which they
send me ashore BIZ day to-tO-Why are you
here, dear?" he cried stu wildly, and now a
little incoberently. They have hellishly
sworn me. innocent as am. into this They
have made felon Of me. They are sending
ne from my country, and my heart must
break" he said, sobbing c0nyulsiveIy,
'aud thew will bury me in ConvfctS grave.
Oh, Marian, il is an end between US. il
must be So / am convict, ruined and for
ever dishonored. Look at metz
Ny heart was bursting while / listened to
him, but the great God who knew that my
sweetheart was a cruelty and terribly
wronged man gave me OF his mercy, heart
and spirit; ! had much to say and the mo-
ments were flying. l looked at him with a
smile and grasped his hand in both mine;
be struggled family, but | continued TO
hold his hand.
TON, you are not dishOnored-you are
not ruined. You are wronged-only that
my darliug-nO more. Hear me, dear" and
l softened my voice, for | was sensible Of the
deep thrill of my earDestness in every
syllable that fell from me. 81 have come
to tell you that MY love Is unchange-
able, that my love for you now is sane
titled by your misery. and that 1t IS
deeper, truer and holieT, Tom. than ever
it was before. On, hear me, love, and take
heart Wherever you 20 | will go. | shall
learn where they send you and accompany
you or follow you. Nothing but death can
separate US. | have walked night after
night beside the prison walls that l might
be near you, and whilst you are here shall
be near you. They cannot separate US.
Always believe, always know that whilst
you are in this ship, and whilst they are
trying TO break your heart ashore, / am
present-Oh, not in sympathy-nOt in love
not in irit only. Tom. but near you. but
close as they will let me- to you in my own
person. Does that comfort you?"
He lifted my hand and bowed his head
upon il.
Something may happen at any time to
prove your innocence / continued.
'What could happen. Marian? win Rotch
ever admit that he porjured himself merely
to get charge of my ship and to punish me
for reporting him, and for my treatment Of
him at Valparaiso?'
But your Punishment is not for life,
Tom 90
at is-it is" he cried. "Who ever re-
turns from transp0rtationW
They will give you your liberty after a
time, you will be free and shall be with
you. / have money and we will establish
ourselves and be happy, my darling"
My noble heart! your love breaks me
down." he cried, looking up and grasping
me by the hands, then covering his, eyes.
came, Tom. He is the deputy governor.
Yonder he stands He tells me that you
will be allowed TO write and inform me
when you are to sail. You will receive the
news and have leave to convey 1t. Will you
do SOP"
He viewed me in shrinking way.
"Oh, my God, Tom. you must swear to
write to mel" cried. in a sudden fit Of
despair. Swear It'll II you do not write.
how shall know when you have gone and
where you have gomez Swear You will
wrtel Swear It! Swear itw l clutched
him by the arm in my passion of eagerness
and desire. repeating: Swear itl'
You must not follow me. You must not
leave your home for me-"
Swear il. Tomw
81 shall he servant, slave ont In Aus
tralia. convict always. whether freed or
net."
"0h. swear it, TomW
"They may fog me - chain me In q
gang"
Swear to write and tell me when You
sail"
He was silent, breathed deeply, then his
eyes lighted up with love and he exclaimed
In a low voice. u swear itp'
Would 1t be for you to divide us, Tom P"
de family smiled aud answered, you