River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-11-12

morning, and when the SICK man was
removed to the hospital he had on
Jaynes' clothes and number, which was
845 He died the same day and Of course
Jaynes' friends were notified, but on
account of the contagion they were not
allowed to claim the body. The chap
lain suspected the trick, but Jaynes re-
fused to acknowledge it all these years
on account of his family. He said it was
better for them to think he was dead,
though it meant assuming the other
mans sentence, which was for life. But
just before the end came, a few days ago,
the chaplain induced him TO own up. He
argued that Jaynes' wife had right to
know at last what a splendid sacrifice
he had made, when all these years he
might have heard from her and seen her
occasionally. Even that did not move
him until it came to disposing of his
earnings. He had been made superln-
tendent of one of the shops and had
drawn a good salary all these years. 1t
made handsome sum and his desire
to leave it to his wife brought out the
truth"
trude Elliott the whiteness and pain in
the face of the man beside her. Busy
with her own thoughts of the tragic
story she did not notice that he made no
comment. But when they stopped in
front of her house and she asked linn in,
he shook his head.
'Have you the paper, Gertrude? |
cb JiIya IN rood I, OF ctr -
walter, how hoarse you are. You
have taken cold, Come in and let me
get you something hot"
mo, mother is waiting for me. must
go at once, if you will get me the paper,
please
She brought it to him, hurt at the re-
fusal of her care, and more hurt that he
offered her no parting caress. Only, as
he gathered up the lines, he bent towards
her.
ooh, Trudie, Trudie!" he murrlured
hoarsely, beloved, goodnight, and God
keep you"
Ten minutes later he burst into the
room where his mother sat waiting for
him. She was beautiful woman, old
beyond her years, on her calm counte-
nance the peace attained only through
great suffering. Her face lighted up as
her son entered. He flung himself down
beside her with the frenzy of a mailman
Mother" he cried, "tell me about my
father!"
She looked startled moment, then re-
piled calmly, what do you wish to
know, dear? He died when you were a
little boy, scarce five years old"
''Of malignant diphtheria?'
eyes"
"In the Jackson prison? Mother, for
God sake, tell me, was my father GRIM
inal? I must know the truth"
SIZE took his hot hands in her own
and caressed them gently. ''My darling
had hoped to spare you this. gave up
home and friends more than 20 years ago
to save you from pain and disgrace. Per-
haps | was wrong, but did it for the best.
Your father was president of rich bank.
His sisters husband was cashier. Taylor
lost everything gambling His poor wife
loved him to distraction, and just before
her baby was born it was discovered that
Taylor had appropriated thousands Of
the bank funds. Your father had sus-
pected him before, but tried to shut his
eyes to the truth. Taylor contrived that
the blame fell, not upon himself, but upon
my poor husband. For Julia's sake he
said nothing, never thinking he could
be convicted of another's crime But he
was, and he told me he felt it just pun
ishment for not acting against Taylor in
the beginning. A month later he died in
prison. I came here to the far west, my
one prayer that you should never know
But, Walter, now that you know you can
appreciate the great soul that could suffer
even disgrace for the sake of another"
Listen" said he, and unfolding the
paper, he read the story Gertrude had
told him. do you know what it means
to me, mother? Gertrude will never
marry man who cannot give her an I'M
stained name"
"Must you tell herr"
Mother! Can live lie the rest of
my days?"
With the fierce strength of despair he
snatched his hat and fairly ran to the
girl he loved There he poured out tn 3
whole pitiful story, not stopping when
she tried to interrupt lest his strength
fail before the end.
Forgive me, Trudie Had known It
before I should never have dared to tell
you my love. All ask is tsat you believe
me innocent of the knowledge l shall
never see you again. but I cannot help
loving you, Gertrude. It is too late for
that Good-by." He turned to 60 but
his unsteady feet did not reach the
threshold when pair of strong young
arms caught and held him.
Walter, you shall not leave me this
way. You are my promised husband, and
do you think will give you up?"
Don't you understand? My name is
disgraced-my father died a convict"
81 am proud Of your father for his noble
sacrifice. When I said what / did last
night, I did not know-it was SUPPOSE
tional case. / could not marry Sted-
man because I did not love him. But,
dearest, this is reality. am not marry
ing you for your family. What does that
matter when a woman loves man as
l love you? There is 10 power in Heaven
or earth that can tale me from you now.
oh, Walter, don't you know yet what
love is?"
valise were disnosed of according tn