The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-02-01

therein read that had robbed my as
sociate of quarter of million and
had fed the country, and that the most
skilled detectives in America had been
put upon my track. | was too dazed to
think at first, but calmness cannot last,
and hastily wrote denial of my guilt
with full directions for finding me to
the American papers, also to her father
as well as to my associate.
1.-Two weeks later / was watching
mother breathe her last when l was
suddenly arrested and from her dying
gaze was led away to Jail. Back to
America l was brought without being
given time to find out about my
mothers health. Indeed, | scarcely
had time to make arrangements for
her before they tore me away. was
taken to trial, my former associate APP
peared against me and-choking back
a great sob-I was sent to prison. l
tried to see my darling, but her father
sent back my letters unopened, and
heard nothing of her. | was being
taken to prison when the wreck oc-
Cured. God must indeed be good to
let me die now without suffering the
life of degraded convict" He hest
tated moment and then continued
calmly: but as for her one day she
will find out l am guiltless and in
Heaven we can live with ourselves
alone, but"
He stopped suddenly as there f1oated
down the long corridor the first tremu-
lous notes of a hymn sung by the
physicians daughter. Tremulous and
low at first and then they swelled and
ebbed and came in harmonic waves of
pathetic sweetness.
My patient startled yet eager, lifted
his head from his pillow, his eyes
opened wide, and then wider, as the
singer continued her beautiful lay; his
mouth opened, he moved his hand to
command silence, and his eyes bore a
strange, underlined look.
-who-is-is-that?" he
asked, in concentrated whisper.
THAT is Miss Alice Stanley, the adj
vising physicians daughter; she is
now"
"Oh, merciful Cod" he exclaimed,
burying his face with his hands, lit is
she! 1t is my darling! Oh, God! let
her know the truth"
Louder and more distinct sounded
the words as she slowly walked down
the corridor, singing like some blessed
angel. Temple had forgotten his pain,
his whereabouts, everything, as he
wildly drank in the sound of her voice.
Nearer and nearer our room she came,
and with every step Temple became
more rigid.
Then she was just before our door.
Temple lifted himself upon his arm.
and in tones coarse with anguish, cried:
''Alice, oh! my Alice!'
She stopped, partially turned, her
face bearing a look of startled surprise,
and then she quietly stepped towards
us. She could not see for an instant,
but as her eyes became more accus-
toned to the darkness she recognized
the frail, delicate form and pallid
features of him for whom she had
pinned, and with cry OF heartrending
anguish she flung herself upon the bed,
saying piteously:
"Oh, Jack, forgive me! Father would
not let me see you. Oh, forgive me,
love you, love you"
Upon returning two hours later 1
found my patient slumbering as peace
fully as a child. His handsome face
was overcast with a smile of ineffable
happiness, and the muscles of his body
were in perfectly normal condition,
as though pain was thing unfelt.
Fearful lest awakening him, tip
toed softly out Of the room and met