Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-02-27
FOR HIS HONOR.

IUu IIlV IlVUVus
A freak Of fortune made Florence
Early an inmate Of the gray house in
front Of the Washington County Jail.
The sheriff, burly man Of 40. had bis
mother and a crippled son Of 8 years
living with him. The old mother was
continually afraid and the helpless boy
needed teaching. The sheriff advertis-
ed in the papers Of the state for a
companion and governess. A teachers
agency sent Florence Early 10 River
vale.
The sheriff stared at her wien he
met Ler at the railroad station. He
believed she had not been well fed.
His impulse was to take her into tho
first eating house and feed her up q
little. She was too much Of = lady for
that, and he bundled her into bis
buggy in awkward silence.
Florence improved so much in o few
days that he was sure about the eat
ing. He gave her the piece Of steak
next the bone as bis most delicate at.
tentlon. When he grew less shy b.
looked into her face and met the
steadiest pair Of eyes he had ever seen.
The sheriff knew humanity. He look.
ed at her, and felt that when be was
obliged to 20 away at night he could
sleep, knowing that the old mother
and delicate Willy ha,f stay and com.
fort
One day he took her into the jail. It
was q fearful place. One story was
above ground. In this were kept the
prisoners held for minor offenses; In
the other veritable dungeon, was a
man confined for a capital offense. EIc
was the son Of wealthy farmer and
accused Of the murder Of both father
and mother on the evidence that he
had had a dispute with them the day
before the foul deed.
johnson Martins was the strongest,
most remote cell of the dungeon; he
was allowed to see no one, and the
sheriff himself carried him his food.
On the day the sheriff showed Flor
ence Early through the Jail she met
tine jailer, a man with a settled, stub
born look. Finally the sheriff led the
way down the dark, close stairway,
and, unlocking heavy door, ushered
her into dark corridor. He lighted q
lantern and led Florence to the far
end of the passage paused before a
barred grating, and called, In a voice
that was not unkind, Johnson, here's
your new jaller.'
Florence started. Some one crawled
to the bars.
"For the love of God, Terrence, how
long Is this to last?'
"There is nothing new this morning,
John. | have to be away late tonight.
This lady will give you your dinnAr
and supper"
There was no word in reply. The
sheriff returned to the doorway.
Miss Florence he said. II must
20 over to Berlin township after
man. cannot be back before mid
night. want you to take care of Mar
tin"
An hour later he was gone, and she
had the key and his instructions.
Miss Early was reading aloud just
before dinner, when the servant came
to tell her some one wanted to See her.
She found rough man in the hall,
nervous and awkward.
"They say sherlffs gone over to Ber-
lin, miss. How long will he have
gomez
"A few hours" replied Florence,
terse1y.
The man looked at her, and whisper
ed quickly.
I'm a friend of his'n. come to tell
him all Mcvaigh townships coming to-
night after Martin. They've located
Aliens hired girl, and she saw John.
son about o'clock that night and not
half mile from the farm"
Florence Early felt an awful chill
at her heart Then the strong, kind
face Of the sheriff came before her.
With an effort she replied
IF you have horse and know the
way, ride to Berlin for your life. You
shall be well paid. Don't lose a min
ute. Bring him here; will keep the
man until he comes.'
She went to dinner calmly, and az
forwards gathered up some delicacies
and added them to the meal for Mar
tin. She threw light shawl over her
head.
The jaller was In the hallway when
she went down the steps. He looked
troubled. She did not doubt he knew.
The corridor seemed darker than ever.
She set the lantern by the grating,
opened It and thrust into 1t the basket.
A hand took 1t.
Eat your dinner" she said gently,
then have something to say to you."
In ten minutes he came to the graf.