The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-03-10

said hoarsely to himself. What right
have l to think a single thought of a
pure woman? And yet at heart, God
knoweth, l am as innocent as she ISL
He rose and paced the narrow limits
allotted to him with nervous haste.
Then he seated himself and took up his
pen.
1t can do no HARM" he said, think
ing aloud. Il have always meant to
ask her to come to me, but not so soon
not until my nearness to death should
make it my last request. But l am so
hungry for sight of her face"
He wrote rapidly:
Miss Agnes Trenholme-Is it being
too presumptuous TO ask you to make
my gloomy prison all bright for a little
while with your presence? We were
playmates once. you know, and in the
memory of the dear old time before
sorrow came, | ask you to visit me
here. shall be unhappy until you
come. VIII you be kind?
"LYNDE GRAHAM"
This little note cost Agnes a sleepiess
night of weeping and prayer. But
when the morning came it found her
calm. She said nothing to anyone of
her intention, but toward noon she
dressed herself in her plainest
clothes and walked down to Portlea
The jailer gave her access at once.
She stood alone with Lynde Graham.
His face glowed. his breath came
quick. If he had followed the dictates
of his heart, he would have sprung for
ward and folded her in his arms. But
ne remembered that he was fe!on, and
restrained himself. Agnes went for
ward. downcast and confused, and put
her love, the love he had never asked
for, made her timid and shrinking.
you see l have come, Lynde.'
II do. l thank you for it, and also
for calling me Lynde. o Agnes, it
seems so much like the old times"
'The dear old tines she said softly.
30 Lynde, Lynde.' And all the terri
BILE change that had come rushed over
her mind, and she burst into tears.
He smoothed the hair on her fore
head, his hand trembling, his voice
hoarse and unsteady.
Hush, my child, It is all in Gods
hands. Cannot we trust him."
Eyes, have. I do. But, Lynde.
only three little months, and then"
She stopped. She could not finish the
sentence.
and then I shall have passed away"
he said solemnly. 1T will be better
perhaps, but have just begun to learn
how sweet life might be-
"Lynde, l want you to tell me that
you are innocent. I know that you
are / have never felt a doubt of that.
but l want to hear you say it. 1t will
be to me great satisfaction"
You are good TO trust me, Agnes
am innocent. would sooner have
died than harm should have come to
Marina Is that enough"
Yes, your simple word is all / ask
| am content"
Il thank you yet again for your trust
in me. But | have never expressed TO
you my gratitude for the little more Of
life given me through your means.
know all the risk you ran, and all the
sacrifice you made, and my heart is
full of gratitude"
He leaned his head over hers, and
lifted her face-their lips almost
touched. The temptation that beset
him was almost too strong to be re-
sisted. II he could kiss her once, he
thought, the remembrance would be so
sweet he should forget all that might
come in recalling 1t. But he would not
He was man convicted and sentenced
to death for the crime Of murder-h!s
very touch was pollution.
"Lynde," she said, Il could not have
you die. Why do ! not feel the same
terrible anxiety now. I wonder? /
know that this time cannot save you.
and yet feel no fear seem to cast 1t
all out Of my mind
He looked at her curious,y. She
seemed like one who saw far away in
the future something so bright and
beautiful that it's glory pierced even
the midnight gloom Of the unhappy
present. And then, the glow faded
the light went out of her eyes. She
saw only the dreary prison cell, and
dropping her forehead on her folded
arms, she sobbed unrestrainedly
Lynde Graham half lifted his arms to
take her into them, but refrained
20 Agnes" he said, bitterly. eff I
only could! IL had a right to comfort
you! But you understand what stands
between us.
She understood him fully, then. The