The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-02


And thia indeed was true. ho bad
broken his arm. and felt q deathly
Gaintnoss creeping over him. his one
hope was to get far enough from the
house Of old Michaud, 20 prevent any
suspicion of the manner In which be
had met with the accident; and at Tho
6rst turning. be left the street and
hurried on, hoping 60 procure some
assistance before he lost the power Of
speech and motion
At last. amid the darxened wiu-
lows, he saw one In which q lighl
burned Drawing nearer, he saw
that the door stood open. and heard
some noise within. His strength was
nearly gone. he made use Of Whist
remained TO sta2ger under the door
way, and fell prone Ia the hall, 90
the foot of the stairs. just as an old
man In night-gOwn. with lamp in
one hand, and a poker in the other
rushed down them, shouting Rt che
top of his voice:
'.Thievesl Murderl Helpl PoliCeF
This old man was Hector Grimmo,
reputed miser, who had just before
Weakened to e nd two masked men tn
the room, one of whom held him
while the other plundered his cash
box. After much struggling he had
succeeded in dealing one Of the raa-
Gals a heavy blow with a cudgels
which he always kept within reach.
and had been knocked seuseleaa tm
return. When he came TO himself he
was in perfect darkness, and 60 had
taken him some time 90 strike a lights
but, to his great joy, when he had
done so he found, as he supposed
one Of the robbers lying wounded in
his hallway.
The old mans shouts soon brought
assistance, and he told his story az
people usually do, in manner which
reflected the most credit upon him
self.
But this IS Theodore Mansfield,
the son Of old DR.. Mansfield" cried
one of the assembled group. "He ia
no robber. sir
Nevertheless. it is all as said. "
declared Hector Grimme.
And on his word, the poor wounded
Theodore was carried TO prison.
It was some time before be under.
stood the charge that had been made
against him. but when he did. be 40
once formed a noble resolution. Sufe
for what he might, shame, lime
/ prisonment. whatever IL might
be, he would guard Rosine'a
honor. No one should ever know that
it was in endeavoring TO meet her
alone at midnight. in the garden o6
her fathers house that he had met
with this accident
The day Of the trial came at last.
The court was crowded Hector
Grimme was ready 70 swear to his
story. The policemen and neigh bora
were witnesses to the fact that Thee
dore had been found lying insenaible
at the foot of the n.iser's staircase on
the night of the robbery.
The prisoner himself Hf+ only hi8
position and good character Ia his fa-
vor. Not a word would he utter iu
his own behalf. save simple asser-
ton Of his Innocence. DR.. Mansfield
was weeping like a child Mr.. Mich
: aud, who had always liked the young
] fellow, and whose heart even softened
to his old friend in his afhiction, was
very much moved. The prisoner
only was calm
All was over. Nothing more could
be said. The final proceedings were
about TO be taken, and none believed
that the prisoner could possibly ea-
/ cape the sentence of the law, when
suddenly there was a stir near the
door, and the crowd parted 10 admit
two persons. who forced their way
toward the bench on which the Judge
sat
At the sight Of the pair. Miehoud
started to his feet. Before she threw
her veil back. he recognized hin
daughter. ROsine.
The prisoner also uttered a low cry.
Disregarding them both. the girl nd-
vanced toward the judge. whom she
knew by sight Ignorant Of all forms
of law, she only thought Of saving
/ Theodore, whose motive for silence
she quite understood; and, fearful
lest she should be too late, she spoke
at once.
sir she said, IT have come ar a
witness for Theodore Mansfield.
know how he met with his accident.
and ! know the motive for his silence.
It is for my unworthy sake that ne
allows himself to be misjudred. 10
was to meet me in my fathers gar
den that he climbed the stone wall
from which he fell saw him fall
/ / and my maid Nannette-and we aro
ready with our testimony"
Mr.. Michaud gave a cry and started
forward Doctor Mansfield also uo-
tered an exclamation as he spranR 20
Michaud's side.
I'VE might have known" be said
Eve were young once"
The miser, re-examined, owned tQ
the fact Of having been insensible for
some time, and confessed that he did
not see the faces Of the robbers, and
Theodore Mansfield was soon set free.
But now that he was free. and now
that she had done her duty. the cone
sequences VI her disobe dience awaited