The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-03-31

prison on the
- night of Decem-
Der 81, 49,, heard. through depths OF
darkness, the fascinating note OF a
clear and musical bell. Whence did the
sound proceed? Not from the prison
turret, not from the hospital dome. not
from the old kirk tower; no, methought
It must be purely imaginary. Sadly
too soon heard it die away. but it LETT
me deeply meditative, though thankful
and cheered. Without really divorcing
morning from midnight it had yet
ushered in new year. So far as 1T
was able, it had rung out the false and
rung in the true. 1t had proclaimed
me woman at last, since twenty -one
years previously had first seen the
holy light of heaven. In few hours
knew that would be set at liberty to
do just rs liked Justice would say
that had expiated my crime.
At eight o'clock, while the east was
rosy with the first bushes of new and
innocent year, my kind warden entered
my primitive cell. The chaplain fol-
lowed. and he, in his quiet way, gave
me absolution. After that sat down
to really excellent breakfast, which
the matron brought to me in person.
At nine o'clock was led forth from
Dummersbra' prison by the reverend
chaplain. His last words to me were:
"You have. dear child, borne up
Throughout your three years confine-
ment with true woman's fortitude;
but the world that is yet before you
may owe you many a grudge, and you
may be pressed to cry out: oh! that
had died! But lose not heart, for God
will ever be with you on your journey,
though you should see Him not!"
The prison door stood aiar There
stretched the great, great world before
me, and no wonder that l was taken
aback with surprise at the beauty of it;
no wonder l felt like an alien at the
gate of Heaven For three long years
] had almost forgotten the existence of
earth must be Paradise very little
known to those who are allowed to
live in luxury therel l thought just
then, when l saw the majesty of the
mountains. the profound depth of the
valleys and the greeny black belts of
scented pine woods, that should like
TO outlive Methusaleh. and gain more
friendships than the hairs of my head.
But mine is a serious question: How
will the world receive me? Not with
gladness. ! wot, or men, women and
children, knowing this to be the hour
Of my release, would even have come to
meet me at the prison gate.
Having no relative in the land of the
living, where should my first steps lead
me but to Roderick Mcrsvish's, whose
son used to love me SO well ere had
to submit to the seal of murderess? I
knew the house again, it stood imme-
diately on the outside of the old town,
with its whitened. irregular walls, its
weathercock over the ancient granary,
and its dimpled burn, gowan-sprinkled
brae, and patch of dead heather all at
the back. had for three of the long
est years of my life been wondering
about Duncan; we used to be such
great undividable friends, and he had
promised to marry me. / felt that l
must hear from his own lips that he
could not marry a murderess.
There was a great dog's-head knock
er on the back door, When l applied
1t, an old woman, with mob cap and
dishevelied hair beneath, answered.
'Can see Mr.. Duncan?" inquired
mo, ye cannot" she replied.
"But il he knew l was here l feel
sure he would see me directly"
mo. he would not"
May have glass Of new milk?"
The old COO isn't MIXED"
"May sit down on that stool for
few minutes?"
ut isn't my own"
do you take me for q vagrant,
then?" pleaded.
II ken ye we'll. Ye have just left the
prison-hoose. Mind We Marine Came