The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-18

boy. GREATNESS and terror stricken "a man Is dysg
at the hospital" he gasped. land asks for you and
am to bid you to make haste before it is too late"
Ralph followed his guide who piloted him between
the rows OF dead and dying to the side Of a hastily
constructed cot somewhat apart from the rest.
What can do for you my poor man." Ralph
said gently as he gaZed upon the disfgured face.
priest and lawyer" he moaned family 'T
have much to say and my time is short"
Messengers hastily departed in quest of both. and
soon they were beside the sufferer
The priest at once began to say prayers for the
departing soul
Wait" gasped the stricken one Gin the presence
OF God and these witnesses. I do solemnly swear
That what am about to say to you Is the truth You
do not recognize SIR" to Ralph "but perhaps you
will remember evening the foot of the cliff che
man who startled Rose Darlington. by appearing
suddenly before her. 1 am that man. and 1 confess
now. on my dying bed. that it my hand thar
plunged into her traitorous heart the blade which
let her life blood out
My name is Vincent Reynolds, and Rose was my
Wife. All God how loved her, but she was never
true. She forsook me; left her babe to die fol-
lowed her, and my knees 1 plead with her to re-
turn to me. l swore that IL she did not 1 would
kill her, and she knew that would keep my VOW 1t
was whispered to me that she had a wealthy lover
and it drove me mad She told me this was false
and with her soft words and caressng touch she
cooled the fever in my BRAIN and said to come tomor-
row when L was calm and she would talk to me.
Tomorrow came, but she had fled with him. SINGS
that time. have sought for her with the one pur-
pose in my heart, to take her life
'She understood that night that she must meet me-
and she stole out as knew she would She used all
her arts upon me. she told me he was dead that she
was wealthy and together we could 60 away and be
happy as In the olden time. My heart was still
She knelt to me- she prayed to she threw herself
into my arms and while held her my breast
1 plunged into her heart the blade which drank her
blood and silenced her false tongue Why was I SO
hard? saw her in the moonlight when she flung
herself at your feet Ralph Caren and begged you to
love her. saw her kiss your hands and battle them
with her tears. 1t turned my blood to fire. and had
you been less the man you were. should have killed
you there and then. but you honorable and
what say to you will make amends perhaps
fer what you and that poor girl who lies in yonder
prison cell, have suffered through me- Pray pray Oh
God. it is too latel"
For Violet. the only hope of life had been quiet
and absolute freedom from excitement but when
Ralph Caren. his face beaming with happiness pre-
scented himself and demanded admfttance a CONSUL
tation was held. and 1t decided that he was the
proper person carry to his afanced the glad news
of her vindication.
Ralph had not seen Violet since the terrible day
when the verdict was announced, and, although he
had sought admittance each day. he had been steadily
denied.
1t was subject Of much doubt whether in her
present condition. Violet could be brought to recoe-
nize him comprehend the object Of his visit They
could but try. and Sudden shock" has been known
to restore a dormant intellect
How frail she looked lying there with her transe
parent hands ciasped upon her breast her large eyes
fixed In "a vacant stare. taking heed of passing
events. AS Ralph stepped the threshold OF
the prison cell. of tenderest love and pity
filled his heart
Softly he approached the couch upon which Violet
was reclining he knelt beside her, and taking in his
her little hands, he stroked them tendeffy while great
sobs shook his manly frame.
'Vi6Iet," he softly murmured "do YOU not know
me, dear? 1t is Ralph Ralph Caren who speaks TO
you"
Her gaze wandered to his face and settled there
at first vacant and unseeing, but gradually growing
more INTENT and at last with an interest and a1fes
tioning which all watched breathlessly
violet, have come for you love- to take you
away from this sad place. take you home Do you
hear, Violet, to take you homeg'
Like great recollection swept over her she
turned her troubled eyes the grated windows of
her prison. and sobbed out weakly and family
"Ratph. oh Ra1rh.r
Holding her closely to his heart Raipheslowfy and
cautiously told her the story Of the crime. She lis
tened. look of nefable peace upon her white face
and when he had finished she removed her eyes for
the first time from his face and turned them toward
heaven.
Clasping her trembling hands upon her bosom
she muI1nuted brokenly, in voice fnaudfbie save
to him who held her his heart. Dear Lord 1
thank Thee-for this-Thy last-great-mer-cy
She spoke no more her hands still e1asped
her eyes, still looking heavenward
ooh Violet" moaned Ralph. as he kissed her IN
responsive lips ''my Violet"
She did not hear. her caught but the well
coming chorus of angels her only the glore
OF the celestial city, smile rested upon parted
lips across her face gray shodow crept and like
white dove her pure soul spread it's snowy pinions
and scared upward toward the gates Of heaven
They carried her back to the home whose light
and JOY she had been for nineteen happy years. In
the darkened parlor. heavy with the fragrance of
flowers she lay slim white shape. Upon her quiet
breast pale lilies dropped their perfumed cups and
purple volets nestled lovingly against her marble
cheek AS Ralph stood beside her, his heart burst
ing with grief of sunlight stealing through
half closed shutters rested like benediction upon
her shining hair.
Over his troubled spirit sweet calm crept He
stopped and kissed her waxen cheek