Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-12-31

in the name of the Most High, hut we
do not, for that, worship the Divine
name the less" said Eudora reyer-
emily.
"Oll. miss, l hopes you do not think
as am hypocrite as acts wicked am
mean in the presence OF duty!' asked
Mrs. Barton, still sobbing.
mo, l am sure you acted conscicn-
tiously in refusing, to aid my escape.
1t was who did wrong. l ought not
to have made such an appeal to you.
or worked upon your feelings or
tempted your fidelity. But l was car
ried away by my emotions-I forgot
myself acted upon tho impulse of
the moment. The temptation was so
strong-death seemed so bitter, life so
sweet" said Eudora, with a deep sigh.
ooh. how can you be so cruel us stlll
to refuse to let her go? Even sup
posing it would be wrong. you might
to save her from perishing,' pleaded
Amelia.
do not tempt her farther dear God
is omnipotent; if He will He can de-
liver me. but to tempt His creatures
is no way to gain His favor said
Eudora.
''That's it, miss: do right and trust
in Him as can save even at the cley-
enrh hour" commented Mrs. Barton.
wiping her eyes. And now listen; /
hear the other wardcr coming. Don't
attempt to talk to her as you have
to me. for she would think it heI place
to report the conversation to the
governor
At this moment without an inStaNt's
warming, the door was unlocked, Mrs.
Barton pere,nptorily called out, and
her substitute admitted.
Tho newcomer was Il stern. ''grim-
visagrd" woman. who took her seat
with the stolid Indifference of one long
hardened to her cruel Office.
Amelia. not Caring. for Inlnra S
sake to speak freely before this She
dragon yet had not the heart tf take
leave Of llcr unhappy friend. She sat
down beside her on the cot, and silent
ly took and held her hand. She re-
manned as long as she possibly could
do so, and then. in parting. promised
to revisit Eudora. if permitted, the
next day.
With the departure of the Wild,
though truc-hearted girl. sunbeam
seemed to have been withdrawn from
the cell
During her visit. Eudol:'s agonizing
consciousness of lier situation had been
suspended. or modified.
Nature indeed. the most tender of
mothers. never permits her children to
endure Il long-continued strain OF suf-
ferinS whether of mind or body. She
makes the tortured victim faint upon
a rack and in Inconsistencies lose the
pain of physical agony. She gives the
mourner long intervals of stupor. dis
traction of hope to alleviate the effect
of mental anguish.
Such Il blessing had come to Eudora
with the entrance of Amelia but had
gore with her exit. After the depart
ure of her visitor all the full realiza-
ton of her dreadful position rushed
back upon the mind Of Eudora and
over l. lined her. and she sank upon
the H. in the collapse of despair.
She had not remained thus many
minutes before the door was once
more unlocked. another friend to see
Miss Leaton" announced. and Malcolm
Montrose entered the cell.
Forgetting everything else. Eudora
started up and sprang towards him.
eXclaiming:
ooh, Malcolm. have yo, come at
last? What Il weary. weary time You
have been away! God bless you. |
am so glad to see you! But. OH. Nal
colin! will they let me live? Quick.
tell Inc il you will!'
He could not answer her; he pressed
her hand with an unconsciously cruel
force. while he turned away his face
in silent misery.
She looked at him in sudden terror,
and in the written agony OF his brow.
she read the truth. Her beating heart
grew still as death: her flushed cheek
turned pale as marble. and she sank
upon her seat and covered her face
with her hands.
He sat down by her side. took one OF
her hands in his own. and essaycd to
speak; but his voice refused its office.
Then, with that wonderful strength
which comes even to the weakest wo.
man in the direst distress she con-
trolled her own agitation and, wishing
to save him the pain of announcing
the fatal intelligence, she quietly said:
Il am to die"
IIe pressed her hand in mute drs-
pair, and not another word was Spok-
en- between them. They sat with
clasped hands. side by side until the
hour of closing the prison separated
them. Then. in taking leave, Nal
colin. with Il broken voice. faltclrd
forth:
II will see YOU again tomorrow"
She answered:
Come"
And SO they parted.
That evening it was known through
our the town that the petition for Il lc-
spite or communication of Eudora Lea
tons sentence had been rejected; that
all hope of saving her life was ;lband-
opcd. and that the execution appoint
ed for Wednesday would certainly
proceed.