Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-01-07
"A Million If I Had it,"

rushed to his face.
You consent?' asked Malcolm in
low, husky voice.
II never dreamed Of such thing"
"rhe sum is large, it is all ] can
raise, or it should be doubled, trebled,
quudrupled! l would give twenty
,housand-a hundred thousands mil
lion if l had it--as l would give my
life if | could do it, to save Eudola."
And 1 would not ask one penny to
save her if I could do it honestly, sir.
Perhaps l didn't understand you, sir.
How could 1 save her?"
Malcolm seized his wrist, bent to his
ear, and in eager, vehement whispers,
rccounted his simple plan for the cs-
cape of Eudora.
While he spoke the governor listened
with downcast eyes, and at the end Of
his speech answered nothing.
What have you to say to this? Will
YOU take the money and save herr
demanded Malcolm impatiently.
Mr. Alontrosc, l repeat, without
taking one penny of that money l
would gladly save her if l could do so
honestly; but to lend my countenance
10 the plan you PROPOSE or any plan
for Il prisoner escape, would be Il
grave breach of trust
a juStitiaDlc one, if ever such OK
isted," exclaimed Malcolm earnestly.
Yes, if ever such existed; but no
breach OF trust ever could be justitia
bic. Mr.. MontroSe."
Not even to save an innocent girl
from IL horrible death?"
NO, sir, not even that. But. indeed.
I do not know that she is innocent
poor girl, and even if l did it would
not be my place to set judge. jury and
sheriff right by opening the doors and
letting 4 convicted prisoner walk free
l. out of the gaol.' said the governor,
trying to speak stcrnly. though his
honest face paled, flushed and quiv-
cred with emotion. and he was again
obliged to rise and walk rapidly up
and down the floor.
Malcolm watched him closely. and
perceived, understanding the decis-
ivencSS of his words, hat he was I'M
IlergOing Il severe conflict between
duty and inclination. and that his
temptation came not from greed Of
gain, but from pity for EudOra.
Malcolm let him walk up and down
for some time in silence, and then, as
he saw the struggle still going on in
his mind. arose and joined him.
And as they paced side by side, Nal
colin said:
You will have compassion on this
poor, sweet victim: you will permit
her to escape and reach some foreign
country in safety. and in after years,
when her innocence shall be dlScOv-
cred, you will rejoice to remember that
you saved her blameleSS life from q
1Aon's death!'
Anderson mournfully shook his head,
saying. "My God! l am not fit for my
hard duties.'
"No. you arc not hard enough for the
stern duties of Il governor Of gaol.
Hour humane nature must suffer much
ip constantly witnessing the very
worst forms of human woe, crime, re-
morse and punishment, and the wide
ruin and unmistakable misery they
bring upon the innocent as we'll as the
guilty." said Malcolm gently.
''rrue. true! My heart has been
Wrung daily. for years. in witnessing
The WretchedneSs of prisoners and
their friends. But what would You
have--some must be gaolerS?"
But not mon like you-you suffer
w Hlucn IN tnc performance ol !o''
duties. Come. listen to me! be per-
S'la1ed to leave this abode Of sin and
misery. Let Eudora ESCAPE! take the
compensation that her grateful friends
VIII offer you. and 20 to some lovely,
quiet. rural home. in some foreign
country, where you can live with yo'Ir
wife and child amid the sweet infil-
Hnces of nature. and with the almost
OWN consciousness Of having saved
human life! -speak-conSent!
urged Malcolm. persuasivcly.
Il dare not: Oh. Heaven! l dare not
commit Il breach Of truSt-I dare not
40 Il uishonorublc deed" said Ander-
son. wiping the streaming pcrspilatlcn
from his brow.
Remember hcr dead father, and all
ms brotherly kindness to you. and pity
his orphan child in her ulSpc,kihlc
wretchcdness. Think how dear lite is
III her tender age; how hard it is to dlr
NJ seventeen. and such ali awful death
II death of public ignominy! How
her young heart must shrink in an
S'lish and alright. Think how sweet
IN" offer OF life would he to her; how
Nor spirit would lean with joy to meet