Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-01-23

Il - = sra - ss,ft ~ ~
moment believed, but what was there
in his life, what was there In the facts
as witnessed by others. what was there.
in his mather's Letters aud the resela-
ton Of their secret rslatftnship to.cor-.
roboratehis assertions f'ts prove that /
her hand and not.-his' had heidi the
weapon when tie life blorf gtshet't
from her devoted breast? Nothing, |
nothing; only his word to stand against
all human probabilities and natural in
ference, only his'word and the ganer--
Gus nature Of the great hearted: woman
who had this pertshehn Though a
dozen Of his Fellow citizens lad by
their verdict professed their belief in
his word and given him the benefit of
Il doubt involving his life as well as his
honor, he. as well MS, they knew that
neither the police n6f'1he general pub
lie were' given to sentimentality and
that the question of his guilt still lay
open and must remain so till his dying
day, for from the nature of things no
proof of the truth was probable. Batsy
being dead, only God and his own
heart could know that the facts of that
awful half hour were as lie had told
Them. - -
Had God In his Justice removed in
this striking way his only witness as
punishment for his sins and his mad
indulgence in acts SO little short of
ocN 70 nj. NP 1fc nd
merit its obloquy? - g. -
He was asking himself this question
as he bent to- faster the gate. His ia
Their had passed in. The carriage had
driven off, and the road was almost
solitary, but not quite. AS he leaned
his arm over the gate and turned to
take final glance down the hillside he
saw with. what feelings no one will
ever know the light figure Of Agnes adj
vancing on the arm OF fftltfather.r ss-f:i
He would have drawn back, but
better impulse interviewed, and he stood
his ground:s- Mr.. Hailitlay;7 WHO walked
very closesto Agnes, cast her M I'D
monitory glance, which Frederick was
notrslow in interpreting. then stopped
reluctantly, perhaps, because he saw
her falter, perhaps because he knew
that an. Interview between these two
was unavoidable ..hnd had best be
quickly over. 81. -.
Frederick found his voice first.
Agnes" said he, 81 am glad of this
opportunity for expressing my graft
tude.. You HAVE acted like a friend and
have earned my eternal consideration:
even if we never speak again."
There was n lh6mentary silence. Her
heart, which had dropped under his
greeting, rose. again:teHer eyes, humid
with feeling. sought his face.
"Why do you speak like that!" said
she. why shouldn't we meet? Does
not everyone recognize your limo
cence, and will whole world
soon see. assI have. that you have left
the old life behind and have only to-be
your new self to win every ones re-
gard?" -
Agnes" returheR Frederick, sfnil-
ing sadly as he observed the sudden
alarm visible in her fathers face at
these enthusiastic words, you know
me perhaps better than others do and
are prepared to'believe my words and
my more than unhappy story: But
there are few Agneses in, the world.
People: in general will"not acquit me,
and IL there was only one person who
doubted".Mr. Halliday began to look
relieved-'I would fail to-: give any
promise Of. the new life you hope to
see me lead If allowed the shadow
under which-I undoubtedly rest to- fall
in the remotest way across yours. You
and have been friends and will con-
tinue such, but we will hold little in
tercourse in future, hard as find II
to say SO. Does not Mr.. Halliday. con-
slider this right? AS your father he
must" =
Agnes eyes, leaving Frederick's for
q moment, sought her fathers. Alas,
there was no mistaking their language.
Signing deeply, sshe ageins hung her
head. VI ~ t'.s NJ. i
TOO much care for peoples opin
ion" she murmured,e "and too little fol
what is best and noblest in US. / dc
not recognize the necessity ola fare
well between US any more than rec
ognize that any one who saw and heart
you today can believe in your guilt"
i 4But there are SO many who did MOI
hsnr and see HE. BESIDES" here h,
turned a little and pointed to the gar
! den in his rear ssfor the past week
mani need not State who or unde
what authority he acts4has been ii
hiding under that aIpor watching m!
every movement aisd almost countin,
my sighs.t YesterdaHs6e left for shor
space. butt today he is.back. What doe
that argus, dear. friend? Innocence
completely recognized does not call 70
such guardianship"
ITO Be Continued;