Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-05-17


OF the pigeons. And he was doing
this one day when the jallor came
to him and said: "Mursieur CJm-
verse, yOu are free. The Governor
has cut of five ears from your
sentence"
Then he was told that people
we're waiting wiihOut-Medal ion,
and the little chemist aud wife
and others more important. B 1t
he would not 60 to meet them, and
he stepped into the old world alont
at dawn the next morning, and
looked out upon a still, sleeping
town. Ahd there was no one stir
ring in the place, bat suddenly
there stood before him Il woman,
who had watched by the prison
gates all night, and she pat out a
hand in entreaty. and SAID, with {
breaking voice, "YOu are free a
lastw
He remembered her-the wo-
mau who hail looked at him Il
anxiously aud sorrOwfully in th'
court room. He looked at heI
kindly now, yet he WAS dazed. too,
with his new advent TO freedo"
and good earth.
"Why did you come to mte'
me7' he asked.
81 was sorry for you" she re
piled.
But that is no reason
Il once co Ommitted crime, sb'
whispered. with shrinking bitter
ness.
That's bad he SAID. 'WrI'
you puulNueh'
Sle shook hrr h cad aud answ' /
ed No
That's worse he added.
Il let some one Else take m
crime upon him and be punished
tor it, she said, au agony III he
eyes.
Why was tbati' he SAID, looking
at her iOtentIy.
Il had little child was h +
reply.
Aud tue OthtrP
'He was aloue in the world
she said.
A bitter suIle crept to his lip
aud his eyes were all ahre, for
strange thought came to him. The
he shut his eyes, aud when he Op
ened them again discovery was i
them.
Il remember | walked and say
you looking at M that nigh
Who was the father of your child
be asked eagerly.
"Jean Vigot,' she replied. II
left me to starye.'
Il am innocent of his DEATH h
said quietly and gladly.
She nodded. He was silent for
moment.
'Tbe cnlld still ilves?' he asked
She nodded again. 'Well, lie;
be so,' be added. But you owe III
> i've years-and lost reputation
Il wish to God l could civ
them back she cried, tears strea u
Ing down her cheeks. at was fc
my chlId, he WAS so young"
"It can't be helped nOw," he sal'
an he turned away from her.
"WOu'G you forgive me!' 81
she asked bitterly.
!, "Won't you give me back tho
Ave yearSP he replied. meaniug'
"If the child did not need NE
! would give my life" she answtre
81 owe 1t to YOU" Her haggar
hunted face made him sorry. il
. too, mad suffered.
"It's all right he answere
gently. "Take care of your chIlt
q Aud again he moved away fIo
q her and went down the little b
4 with cloud gone from his fd
that had rested there five yea
. Once he turned around. Tue "
man was gone, but over tue pas
= a flock of pigeons we're hyIng. 1
, took off his hat TO them. Thru
went through the town, loOkll
neither to the right nor left, al
came to his own house, where t
- summer mOrning was already
y tering the open windows, thou
he had looked 10 6nd the pls
closed and dark. Toe little che
lists wife met him in The dOOrwi
. 8 'e could not speak, nor could
:. but he kissed her, ae he had do
-, when he wenteOndemned to pris'
= Then be passed on to his o
room, and entering, sat down
fore the open window aud pea
tll y drank III the glory of a Il
- world. But wOre than once
choked down sob that rose IN