Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-10-24
NUMBER IL
HIS WIFE

n n n n n n - u n n n n n
No. II sat in his cell white and de.
spairing. He had endured two years
of prison life uncomplainingly. cheer.
ed by the knowledge that he was limo.
cent of the crime with which he had
been charged--and also cheered by the
visits of his sweet-faced wife Elsie,
who came regularly to the jail as often
a. the cast.iron regulations of the Is.
Enlistment would permit. But of late
Eisie's visits had ceased, and today
the convict knew the reason for their
cessation. She was ill-very ill-anh
the letter from her sister which lay in
his hands told him that the doctors
feared the worst. This Is how the
note ran.
Dear Arthur: have some rather
sad tidings to give you. but we must
beth be brave and hope for the best.
Poor Elsie Is dangerously i'll. and
though all that we could possibly do
has been done, the medical man holds
out small hope Of her ultimate recov.
cry. He states that she II suffering
from no particular illness. but simply
from general debility. brought about
by fretting over your absence. II only
you could come to her II would prob.
ably be the means of saving ner life:
but. alas. that Is impossible. Good
! bye. and God biess you. KATE.
"iour loving sister.in.law.'
Arthur Desparde was no coward
no weakling. The humiliation and SUIT
fcring Of penal servitude he had borne
like man, but those few simple words
bowed his head to earth and brought
the salt tears to mis- eyes. To feel tina,
his absence was causing Llsie's de.
cline--tO feel that one short hour Of
liberty would In all probability be the
means of preserving her. and to
know at the same time that the prison
walls stood between him and her-to
feel and know all this would have
maddened any man. The feeling and
the knowledge maddened Arthur Des.
pardt now.
Il will go to her," he muttered.
hoarsely, come what may! Let them
retake me arterward-let them serve
me as they will--but go to her ! must,
and will"
A file lay at his feet. He had found
II the day previous while laboring In
the yard. and he had secreted II In his
clothing, believing that some day he
might require its aid. Climbing the
narrow wall Of his cell he discovere.
that the small window thereof was
guarded merely by two iron bars of
medium thickness. without an In.
stant's hesitas ion he proceeded to fila
these bars. hoping with ardent hope
tnat no warder might intervene to
abruptly terminate his labors.
Fortune favored him and the work
was completed without interruption. A
short time later he was sliding down
a pipe which led from the cell to the
courtyard. and to scale the low wall Of
the yard was but the work Of an In.
slant. Then with muttered prayer
Tor the protection of Heaven ON his
Journey. he set out for the house where
his wife lay between life and death.
Arthur. liz II possible It can bs
you? How ever have you contriyed
20 come here?"
II was Elsies sister who spoke. and
she stood. fully dressed. In the door.
way, scanning the escaped convicts
features with amazement.
Yes. II In I. and you shall hear aft.
erward how ! managed to make good
my night. But tell me first OF all
how Is she?"
There Is little change. At times
she IL unconscious. and during such
periods she mentions your name In.
cossantIy. When she IL conscious she
talks to me Of you. saying that the one
desire left to her Is to see You at her
| size again"
Thank heaven" said he. In a low
tone, that she is still alive. am not
90 late"
Then he explained to the wondering
girl how he had contrived to escape,
dding also that there was every
chance OF his being retaken In the
morning. But let them come" no
said. sullenly: when once have held
my darling in my arms again and
cheered her sickness, | care little what
happens. And now II will be well for
ru to tell her | am here; but break
the news to her gradually as you can
Kate nodded, and LETT the room on
tiptoe. Presently she returned. her
yes swimming with tears.
she knows all, Arthur. and is wait.
ng for you. Pray God that your com.
.ag may win her back to life"
Amen" said the convict. huskily.
"a he went slowly up the stairs to.
ward his wife's chamber.
She lay very white and very still.
but there came a warm glow OF Joy
upon her faded cheek AZ he entered.
,ne put out her thin hand to him, and
moment later they were clasped In
each others arms.
II knew you would come to me, my
darling" she sobbed. for ! have pray.
ell day and night that might see you
once mOre-and heaven has heard my
prayer. Oh. Arthur, dear, dear Arthur,
life has been very hard without you.
without your love.
Poor girl. Only too well can real.
Ice what you have felt-knowing what
have endured myself. But,
come. Let us talk Of other things.
You have been III, they tell me. very
ill.,"
yes, for ! wanted you. Now that
you are here | shall soon be we'll"
A terrible pang shivered through the
cOnvict's soul. How was he to tell heS
the truth. How was he to tell her
that before many hours had passed he
would In all likelihood be taken back
tn prison, to be separated from hel
once more? He could not bring him
sell to cOnfide to her the cruel truth
and he resolved to let her remain In
ignorance Of his peril. Perchance she
believed that he had been released
ie would not deceive her.
All through the long night husband
and wife went on talking In low. con
fiding tones. happy in each Others 30