Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-08-19
NEW VOL. 32.--NO. 43.

during that time that conceived the
idea of telling you lie-of fastening
my crime upon another and remaining
in your eyes the honest, upright man
you have always thought me. 1t was
IL, NOT another that killed that
man Before you came to me l was
a fiery, impulsive devil-a creature of
blind passion. You changed me thor
oughly. No One half is still bad,
worthless-that is the old half. But
that half has gradually famished for
want of nourishment. The better half
is here with you-telling you this =
The boy staggered, then slipped
from his support and sank on the hard
floor, clasping his hands in perfect
frenzy of despair. The man watched
him. Suddenly he bowed his face in
his hands "Oh, God p he groaned /;
"oh, God :" He stretched out his
arms and drew the unresisting figure
close within his embrace. 1t trembled
under his pressure. Its come, he
said, as though to himself. The love
that has been my salvation Is to go.
too-at last | have killed it. Oh |!
No, no" said the boy, throwing
out the words in short, jerky breaths.
"No, no love you just the same
only its so quick-it hurt so-go on
please tell it all now
Don't look like that, child he
cried, passlonately, while tears washed
down his white, cold cheeks. Don't
look like that. He waited, then
spoke on. For days fought against
it. l longed-you may not believe
this-maybe it's just as well that you
shouldn't-its best perhaps that you
should hate met would be easier
for you in the end-I longed to throw
myself at your feet and cry out 1t
was Il that killed him Il that had
to run away that had to make my
home among these cut-throats and
thieves
The lips of the other moved as if he
would speak, but the man pressed his
hand against his mouth and stopped
him.
Listen, yet, he said gently, I've
not nearly finished. killed that man
to avenge an insult. He cheated at
cards ! struck him between the eyes
with my fist | stilled the cursed lie
in his throat when he would have
charged me with his dirty work, and
sent his black soul straight back to
the devil, his maker. But he was the
son of the president of our bank, while
l was only paid cashier. So the
odds were against me. To save my
neck from the gallows, and your heart
from breaking, | ran away. ! took
you with me-you little one. was
a criminal, but you, sweet, were poor
little innocent And you had to suf
fer with me- You know what life
we've had out here, there's no use in
going over that Each day-each
hour-each minute-that I've de-
ceiyed you was like a knife stab in my
heart. Just now I've got dispatch
here it is I" He took a crushed bit
of yellow paper from his pocket. at
says they're on their way here. It's
from a friend-the only friend, outside
of you, | have in the whole world.
They have telegraphed the officers to
watch me. 1t is absolutely impossible
for me to get away. One mile from
this house l would be caught and
butchered like a dog. ! am safe here
until morning only. l want your ad-
vice and assistance. Are you going
to fail me now ?"
"You have torn my heart to pieces
What do you want me to do2 Tell
me, ! will do it !"
God bless you, sweet"
The boy bowed his head, lifted the
mans hand and kissed it with a sud-
den kiss.
Il knew you were true blue !! the
man whispered. 1t was with miser-
able triumphant light in his eyes. 81
knew you were brave and true, my
little one You see it too, az / do.
Think To be carried back in irons
to the town where l was raised Tried
Condemned Hanged by the neck /
That wouldn't do at all, would it?'
The boy answered, mo" Then in
a quick, sudden movement their lips
came together aud cluDg as though
they never meant to part.
Dear, you will find papers in the
oak chest. Here is the key. They
will tell you what to do. There is
money, too, quite lot. | was afraid
of this, so Kept it by me. Tomorrow,