Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-03-11
The Prisoners Daughter.
Eta W. Pierce in copies Home
Journal.


Through every nook and corner of the
church drifted the incense of their gold
busted cups. The triumphal Easter EN-
blem of Christ the Lord has risen to-
day" was over. The people were going
all but one man, in side pew, who
stood with his hat crushed in his hand,
and an unwholesome pallor on his face,
waiting for the others to pass out,
He was young in years, elegant in
,ook, faultleSs in dress-a stranger. too,
IN the old church; but something in his
teverish Misunderstanding in the sup
pressed fire of his rowing, hazel eyes
indicated that he had gained little peace
or JOY from the holy promises OF the
day.
Down from the organ-loft, which up
son-cushioned altar, Esther Saul, the
organist Of St. Marks, came gliding in
her black, somber dress.
The rector was awaiting her in the
chancel below-an old man, white haired
and blind. At sound of the girls light
step he turned quickly.
DO you mind walking home alone,
my dear?" he said; Il have been called
to visit one of Mr.. Arbuckle's operatives
down by the river
Not in the least" she answered. and
with little nod, which was lost on her
sightless companion, she drew her veil
over a face cut like an old cameo and
colorless as marble, and walked off
down the long, empty aisle.
At sight of this, the man in the side
pew FASTENED forth also. The two met
at the church door. Esther"
He was the first to speak, standing
before her, his face livid, his voice
husky and broken.
She regarded him steadily through
her veil. A sudden trembling went
over her slight black-robed figure.
Take my arm and come away from
here; l want to talk with you" he
urged.
She yielded mechanically to his hot,
worn stone stair out into the light of
the gray walls of the county Jail. Esther
crossed the wet street and turned into
an unfrequented way leading down to-
ward the river.
We shall not be interrupted here,
the man, and he would have
drawn his companions hand through
his arm, but she repealed him coldly.
What can have brought you to this
place." she demanded, throwing back
her veil and showing beneath it pair
of eyes intensely dark, and full of slow,
indignant scorn. The unsteady color
streamed in and out his face.
Are there no other Casters he burst
out, than the one you keep within
church doors? | came here to see--to
speak with you, Esther. My heart,
which l thought dead and buried, has
iisen again"
She did not speak. They were walk
ing parallel with the river, along mar
now hyway, deep with mud and wet,
Over them lowered the shadow Of
the great, red cotton mills-the nucleus
round which the whole dirty, swarm
Ing town seemed to cluster and cling.
A stone bridge spanned the broad, black
river, and at its head-an ugly blotch
upon the ugly, sodden landscape--arose
the gray mutinous day. Together they
Saul walked with a slow step, dragging
the tip of her parasol through the mud
behind her. Her companion went on:
Il knew well enough where to find
you. AS the magnet draws the needle.
SO that Sail yonder draws you. saw
you in the organ-loft of st. Marks this
and ! swore in my heart to
speak with you, il it was over all the
heads Of all the Doors gathered there.
Girl, do you hear me? repeat that
my heart has found its Easter also--to-
lay it lives again.
II do not in the least understand you.
Jasper she answered, quietly; what
S your heart in its resurrection or its
leath to me?'
A white heat of passion swept over
lis elegant face So thick and hurried
was his breath that his voice seemed
half lost in it. He looked her full in
Ter scornful eyes
Has one year changed you 80 much,
hen? Where have you lved-what
friends have you made-what have you
been doing since we parted, Esther"
Il have lived" she answered, her
handsome lip curling more and more,
with the rector Of st. Marks, my dead
brother, and the only friend
have in the world. What have
lone? Earned my own bread for the
irst time in my life.'
He colored. His memory went back
o the time when this GIRL with her
lesolate eyes and voice like lutte, had
'eigned queen in every salon OF wealth
md fashion that he could recall.
I'm the name OF heaven" burst out
Jasper Pole, do you think have not
too, Esther? Since the hour
accepted my freedom and left you
lone with your shame and sorrow
lave lived by day in one long hell OF
egret-slept by night raked up In hot
oals. Esther, take me back into your
leart-take me back as your lover, your