The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-08-03

oASA q LOW AoAS uuSc LII WHICH 10 6X-
press his disappointment and sorrow,
his deep affection for his sweetheart
and all the tumultuous emotions that
harassed his melancholy soul. Plaintive
strains Of melody, waited through the
bars of his cell, reached the ears of ro-
mantle damsels in the outer world, and
they would gather under his window of
pleasant summer evening to exchange
signs of pity on his behalf, for his story
had got abroad in Goshen, and he had
become the ideal hero of many a senti-
mental heart. ..:%. -. .
Months rolled by, and still Robin re-
manned prisoner. No trial had been
accorded him, nor was there the slight
est prospect of hearing for his case,
and all this while he had received no
word or token from Zadie It was ap-
parent that the vigilance of her father
was never for moment relaxed and
that no messages could pass between
them. The strains Of the fiddle were
now SO melancholy and grief laden that
one of the prisoners fair listeners was
moved to active pity and resolved to
offer him substantial consolation.
Joe Westbrook, the jailkeeper, had
a very beautiful daughter named Polly.
She was OF great assistance to him in
his work inasmuch as she had assumed
the entire duty of providing food for
the prisoners. And now that one of
them had interested her sympathies she
took upon herself the further duty of
taking their meals to them in person.
1t may have been the result of acct
dent, but. singularly enough, the full
est plate and the choicest viands now
found their way through the "grief
hole' of Edward Robbins cell. Occa-
sionally delicacy not included in the
bill Of fare was added to his meals
Sometimes it was quail or partridge,
sometimes flask of wine There was
no installing the significance of these
gifts. They informed him that mys-
ferrous friend was taking an interest in
his welfare
AS soon as he was convinced of the
fact he resolved to ascertain this per-
sons identity, so he set himself to
watching. Heretofore it had been his
custom to keep aloof when his meals
were brought him; now. however, he
determined to take them in person from
the tray. The next time his "grief
hole was opened for the introduction
Of food, therefore, he advanced to the
door and greeted the tray bearer with
a cheerful salutation
'Good day to you, friend!" he cried
as he took the dish proffered him. 81
thank you most gratefully for your at
tention.
A deep drawn sigh was the only an
swer to his words
'What! Have you no cheering re-
ply for me?" he asked, beginning to
suspect the truth. "Come, let us shake
hands, for I bear you no grudge. al
though you are my jailer.'
AS he had anticipated, a slender
white hand and just the suggestion Of
an intrancingly lovely arm were thrust
through the "grief hole, and, after he
had pressed the fingers. withdrawn in
timid haste.
"God bless you, my friendl' ex-
claimed Robin. with genuine feeling,
'for, whoever you may be, I am sure
you sympathize with my unhappy
fate
"Alas, sir. answered the sad, sweet
voice. "who would not sympathize with
your
Further conversation between them
was interrupted by the sound of foot
steps in the corridor Nevertheless their
brief interview was sufficient to con-
vince the prisoner that he had made
friend upon whom he could rely:
Every day thereafter Polly Westbrook
found opportunities to visit the cell of
the captive when no prying eyes were
near and cheer him with consoling
words Like Pyramus and Thisbe Of
old, they whispered through a wall, the
"grief hole" afording them an easy
means of communication.
1t soon became apparent to Robin
that the girl was desperately in love
with him. He was still too deeply en-
amored with Zadie Price to fully return
her affection. Nevertheless he regarded
her with an admiring fondness which
might in time ripen into more tender
feeling. And now an event occurred
which brought this very thing to pass.
Driven to desperation by the entreat-
les and commands of her tyrant father
Zadie at last married old Caleb Shurker:
AS soon as this was contaminated, Farm
er Price paid visit to the Goshen Jail
and communicated the news to young
Robin. Indeed he took malicious
pleasure in so doing. At first the young
man was completely Frustrated. He
flung himself down on his pallet, and,
turning his face to the wall, abandoned
himself to the dull apathy of despair
But he possessed too decided a char
acter to die Of broken heart. Gradual
~ his grief gave place to burning de-
sire for revenge, and he rose up the en-
bodiment Of resolution Realizing the
futility of his design unless he could es-
cape from his prison, he set his wits to
work to devise a means of accomplish
ing this end. And naturally his thoughts
reverted to Polly Westbrook. u
Accordingly the next time the de-
voted girl paid him visit he preached
tho 1ioot -, er7o1, 4o~lo-