Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-08-13

: GOD, give me strength to bear
this heart-rending affliotion. 1t
seems as though this trial will cut
my vital chords in twain. l believe
| shall surely become insane unless
there is change. My Arnold must
undergo unjust and severe punish
ment. Would to God that could
suffer in his stead |"
Her shuddered and clasped her
hands tightly together in extreme
agony as the thought of that awful
tragedy passed through her youthful
mind. She frequently remained in
solitude, silently lamenting her fate.
Almost month had transpired
since the trial, and still no clue to
assist in proving Arnold's innocence
had been obtained and no reply to
the advertisement had been received,
but finally one day Mr.. Edrones
walked into the drawing room and
handed the following telegram to
Her:
1876 North Broad Street,
San Francisco, CAL, Feb. %, 1890.
To Miss Her Stephens, ia Maple
Avenue, Bennetsburgh,
Saw advertisement. Will gladly
offer all possible assistance.
Reuben III. Prue.
"Thank God! Perhaps Arnold
may yet. be freed" cried Her, her
heart overflowing first with joy and
then misgivings and fears. Still, for
the first time since the occurrence of
that awful tragedy, a smile played
lightly over her lips and brow.
"Permit me to pursue the journey
May l, father?" Her softly whispered.
"No, my daughter, l can never
think of consenting for you to enter
upon such an errand. But haven't
time to chat; l must be off, as
have few preparations to make
before entering upon my task, and
the cab is about due, said the eld-
erly gentleman.
"Allow me to go, for it will afford
me inexpressible pleasure to be
enabled to offer Arnold some assist
ance in this hour of affliction and
need. The plan is mine and l must
go alone. For some reason l feel
that portion of Arnold's suffering
is due to me, for he is accused of
this crime on account of his devo-
tion manifested toward me. He is
innocent, and l desire to assist in re-
vealing the fact to the public. l
assure you that will do all in my
power to free him. Please grant
my request and permit me to pursue
this pleasant task, for | really wish
to CO."
And he was unable to resist her
entreaties as those pleading brown
eyes gazed earnestly into his with
cred face.
"You shall go, Her, if it is your
desire. l know of no one to whom
l would more willingly entrust this
all important errand, for 1 am sure
you will leave nothing undone that
might assist in solving this mystery.
Remember, darling, the life of an
innocent lad rests on this tiny thread,
and if it is severed all hopes are
gone, for he must die. Go imme-
diately and make speedy prepara-
tions, for the cab is due ere long"
Her had just completed her toi-
lette and stood facing mirror in
the hallway, tying her veil, when
the cab rolled up in front of "Sunny
Side" She hastily bade her parents
fond adieu, and ere long her form
was cngulfed in the cab and she dis
appeared from view.
Mr.. Edrones watched the vehicle
roll away until it appeared as a tiny
speck before his vision then imme-
diately afterward he r..l upon his
knees and clasped his hands tightly
together in the agony of prayer. He
| pleaded with God that He might
deliver the innocent Arnold from the
awful calamity which had befallen
him.
On this occasion Her appeared in
brighter and more cheerful mood
than she had been for many months
past, and her courage was somewhat
renewed; but her happiness was
intermingled with fears. Her jour
ney was long and tiresome yet she
enjoyed it, for she realized that she
might thus gain the key to her lovers
freedom. Finally she arrived at her
destination and obtained cab at
the station. She was conveyed
through the bustling streets of San
francisco and to small cottage.
The driver drew reins at the gate
way and Her bounded from the cab
and approached the dwelling. Two
lovely children were playing on the
lawn and appeared quite happy as
"