The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-23

fiery temperate had his revolver--men
don't often go unarmed at night In those
parts. Cor this all happened far away
from here, you see. chid.) There. You
can guess 10 what the hoz words led. She
heara the sound of the shot and rushed
into the room-too late. They were alone
in the house. but the housekeeper was ex-
pected back every hour. His only chance
was TO fly. in the hope that the deed might
be attributed TO tramp or burglar.
But 1t was on her. not on tramp bur-
glar. that suspicion fell He got safely
away. She, found alone there. was silent.
let slip no word to compromise him, though
her silence compromised herself. She was
there under an assumed name-the old man
had but lately left her legacy in his will
she was known 10 be able to use revolver.
as women often find it needfuI to know
how TO defend themselves in remote settle
ments-
'.All this told against her when the case
came for trial And he. by that time far
away in safety, when he heard, he argued
with himself-at least, we can fancy he
may have argued-that they would never
carry out the last sentence of the law on
they would give her the benefit of the
doubt. While for him. were the truth dis
covered. there would be no mercy. He
salved-he may have salved-his conscience
by resolving that he would never let it come
to the bitter end. If the sentence were not
| commuted he would come forward and
| confess. But her life was spared. She
| lived through her long martyrdom of years
| in prison silent--to save him.
| Eva fell on her knees at Leone side and
| threw her arms round her. sobbing pas
| sionately.
| You do not shrink from the stain of the
| prison, then?" said Leonie, with a breath
caught like cry.
Shrink? From the bravest and noblest
woman 1 have ever known? The stain?
The halo Of the saint and martyr on your
brow! I was ready to love you as my
mothers friend. for my mothers sake.
Now adore you for your own!
| Leonie drew long quivering sigh of re-
lief. The child had no suspicion. But the
innocence of her faith went like iron
| through Penrose's tortured soul. He put his
| hand to his breast. struggling silently for
breath; his face was ashen gray. Leonie
saw it. and pitied. Eva in that moment had
| no eyes except for her.
! But the man-the coward-the traitor
what became of him? Surely some retribu-
| tfon fell on him?" she questioned eagerly.
| Her young voice thrilled with bitter scorn.
In her indignation and loathing she had
| forgotten for the moment that it was
| Leonie's husband of whom she spoke.
Yes, Eva. yes her father said, hoarse-
ly. He was punished; his sin found him
| out.''
Startled at the change in her fathers
voice. Eva glanced up at him; but Leonies
arm was round her; Leonie quickly drew
her close. so that the girls face was hid
den on the womans heart. Folding Eva
to her with one hand, Leonie raised the
other, with gesture rather commanding
than entreating. to Penrose.
Eva DEAR" she said softly. steadfastly,
I'VE must deal mercifully with the dead
you know. And that man who sinned is
| dead, Pray with me for his soul, dear
child. that he may be forgiven as have
forgiven him! He sinned. he suffered, he
repented-and he atoned!''
Penrose fell on his knees beside her. The
stern, proud man kissed the woman's
trembling hand. He sank lower. AT the
sound of his fall Eva turned with a start
and a cry, but he never heard her ex-
clamation of alarm.
A woman's sacrifice had saved his life; a
womans mercy slew him, by one swift
blow to the overburdened heart; a
womans prayer followed his parting SOUL
to plead for him at the court where he
who escaped earthly justice shall be
judged!