The record-union., 1897-09-05

ed SO unearthly, no one dared touch
her. The laughter changed to a low.
moaning sound. her body swayed back
and forth, and then from pure physical
exhaustion she fell into a blessed I'M
consciousness and lay perfectly still
on the bare ground.
silence absolute followed. The pris-
oner's jaunty air had given way TO a
look of horror. The baby crept to her
mother, and began to pull her dress.
When for the short time in her short
life no heed was paid to her no loving
caress answered the child, of sud-
den she became frightened, bewildered,
and began to cry. The minister
stopped, picked her up, and held her in
his arms. He kissed and quoted her.
Still holding and soothing her, he adj
dressed the crowd.
Men of Montana have preached
to you of One who suffered in your
stead. You were sinful men, con-
demned to die the ternal death. He.
the sin1ess One, suffered for you that
you might obtain pardon. Through
| that atonement you may be free. To-
day you shall understand this better
than ever before. Charley Reeves, be-
hold your atonement. The wife whom
you swore to love and cherish, but
whom you basely and shamefully de-
serted, lies at your guilty feet, sac
rifice in your stead. For her sake that
life which you have forfeited may be
given back to you. Look upon your
orphan child. If these men permit you
to live, will you swear by your honor
no, you have no honer-will you
swear by this sweet child, to be good
1 oro1 10 or 6,.iTa ri1O n
evil companions, to become a law-abid-
ing citizen? Will you take your child
with you, and bring her up to be happy
and good? Will you, with your utmost
kindness, try to supply the loss she
has this day sustained of her mother?
Sheriff, Iberate the prisoners right
hand, please Now lay your hand on
the child's head and swear
Trembling, the man did as he was
hidden.
His words were few, but all felt that
they were sincere. I solemnly swear
to keep the laws, stop drinking and be
good to the child
e" Let him await the decision of those
who holds his life in their hands, said
the minister. If you will let him live,
in view of the oath he has taken, and
| because his atonemept has been made,
step over to the north side of the she'd
There was not man of the jury
or Vigilance Committee who did not
at once step over to the side of the
shed indicated.
''At signal from the Judge the pris-
oner was unbound and helped to de-
scend. Weak and broken with sobs,
he seemed scarcely able to bear the
weight of the child. Strangely enough
she gave him one long, searching look,
and then nestled quietly against his
breast.
And now" said the minister. let
the crowd set the prisoner free. Eet no
one hinder him from going whittier he
will. Remember that his atonement has
| been made. Reeves. you must leave
this part of the country, take a new
name and find a new home. Begin life
| over again, and make clean record. Be
true to your oath, and be good to the
little girl. God bless you and her
Reeves took the minister's hand. He
! bent down and kissed it. Then he was
going, but seeing his PROSTATE wife,
hesitated. The young man from New
York answered the look.
L will take care of her. he said
I was with her on the journey. She
shall not suffer. Here is my card, if
you wish to send any word about her.
! Reeves bowed his thanks and went.
| The crowd opened right and left to let
| him pass. Not one tried to stay him.
The twilight was descending, and soon
his departing form was lost in the gath
ering darkness. He stole away west
ward, and Virginia City never saw him
again. In fact, he managed to hide him
1 -.111 hot
both he and the child We're dead. But
you can judge from what YOU saw to-
day that they didn't die, but came safely
and splendidly through all their hard
experiences"
What became of the wife, of Nary"
I asked, as my friend paused.
she never recovered her reason. She
was taken to her home in Illinois, where
she lived only a few years, with kind
and watchful friends. She was not
placed in an asylum; and indeed, it was
not necessary, for her madness took
the form of quiet melancholy"
well, of course, this Mr.. De Forest
and his lovely daughter"
Are Black Charley and his baby.
Don't you think his was a life worth
saving, at least for her sake?"
81 was enchanted with my friends
story l tried to imagine what had been
the girls history from that night when
she found a father and lost a mother
How had such an untutored man. with
only his great love to help him, OWNED
the wants of delicate girl, been able to
care for his helpless charge? He had
| certainly made her a home educated
her, and surrounded her with happi-
| ness.
Hum 1 said at length, there is one
thing l would like to ask. How did you
learn all these details? Or have you
been entertaining me with fction?'
Not at ALL said Hum, Il have told
you only what l saw myself. 1 was the
young man from New York"
And you kept track of the De Forests
or Reeveses-whatever their name is
and have helped the father to bring up
his daughtr in a way suitable for such
a sweet young LADY,"
81 have done what I could for them.
| Yes, certainly, 1 could be of material
service to them" said Hum modestly
well, now, old fellow, you are about
to have your reward. If girls faces ever
tell the story of their hearts, Ellen De
Forest loves you with more than a
grateful feeling. She will make you a
| gratulations. Caroline A. Creevey in
New York Evening Post.
Her Words of Wisdom.