The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-11-17

dsred youth prematurely wrinkled up
on the forehead and beginning to be
bald flashed up into the minister's
mind.
at Is not possible" said he.
81 have lived n healthful life since
those days" responded Stone, first as
a cattle herder for friend of mine
who did not drive me too hard and
later as a fruit grower upon my own
ranch on the outskirts of this little
city. | have gained forty pounds of
weight and have changed likewise"-
he touched the thick, wavy hair above
his forehead-"but am the same man
for all that"
Not to my eye" said the Rev. Mr.
Brown. with decision: very far from
IT. have u good memory for faces.
and yet 1 should never know you: new
er in the world. But. supposing that
you are John Stone" he continued.
you are truly welcome and the more
particularly because you have told the
truth not only to me. but, as perceive,
to this young lady also
Have l told the truth to her?- said
| Stone, looking down into her eyes,
while an expression Of great tenderness
ennobled his face. Il would put my
heart into her hands. She may search
| IL through and through"
'Come. now: that's good" said the
clergyman cheerily. what do you
say. Miss Henderson,
II say that I love him." replied the
girl Il love and trust him. We came
here to ask you TO marry Us; not right
away, but We wanted TO talk IL over
with you"
1t seemed to be the mans turn to
speak, and Brown waited for his words.
Stone stood with bowed head, his eyes
upon the floor. Becoming conscious OF
the silence, he looked up.
Il am glad that you are here" he
said. "Of course you Will understand
that I had no thought Of II. Your
name is not uncommon
well, 1 should think II wasn't" re-
sponded the minister, with u laugh.
You, better than any other man, can
tell me whether l have the right 10 do
this said Stone. Il have told her the
truth. and still she would come to me
and live I'm the home that have built.
But l cannot give her my name. l am
known here as Morton Brook and must
J continue 10 be so known"
Now, let's consider how the matter
stands" said Brown briskly. Your
case comes back to me, but not your
face. by the way. | really cannot see
the most casual resemblance. Howey.
er, let us proceed The warden told me
all about you. He said that you had
struck a man in the heat Of a quarre
with your hand and not with a weap
on. The man went home and died two
hours later from the effects of his owl
excitement and many years OF hart
drinking. That's the fact in the mat
ter. as the warden said and as l cam,
! to believe after a brief. investigation
You may remember that ! was ther,
! for only a few weeks after. you came
J As said. you struck this man. Yo,
| were blamable, no doubt You ma.
, have owed some reparation unde
the laws. But 10 convict you Of an,
J | form OF homicide was monstrous II
| view of the medical testimony given a
! the trial, and il never could have beei
done except that the man in question
, was a politician of the party then al
a powerful in that city. ! think that III
, | true story told in this community an
: backed by me could hurt you but little
Why not make a firm stand? Resum
your own name: bestow Ii upon thi
sweet and exemplary young womal
;, who has honored you with her love
Tell the plain truth
Stone raised his hand to check tn
minister's uiterance. His pallor Shove
beneath the bronze.
81 am a fugitive" said he. II forge
that you might not know. | escape
from that prison"
lis he the more TO blame for that
exclaimed the young woman. "io
have said yourself that his convictio
was unjust. and they condemned hil
to seven years. to death indeed, for b
has told me that he could not hav
lived so long"
II Il have said what believed" adde
y Stone In a firm voice. My health W;
't Slipping away as water runs throue
ones fingers. You remember how
y looked: so when the chance came
K and il was Chance took It and ste
e ped out TO freedom
re "You escaped. then. without vi
u. lence:'' said the clergyman.
5. Absolutely"
lt The minister sat down upon corn
or Of his desk and beat his hands ner
ously together. the knuckles Of ol
le into the palm Of the other.
IL Il would not send YOU back" he sal
le Il cannot see that any good would con
st Of II. But wish you hadn't told me.
er For whose sake asked Miss He
H. derson quickly.
ld The clergyman's face flushed.
For my own. | suppose" said b
because this secret might embsrra
ID me"
lis How
irl IF he should be traced. II I shou
nd be asked directly"
You would tell the truth,
Is course" said Stone. "We should G
pect nothing else"
re- Il dread the way OF mortal anal
M as experience has shown IL to ms
said the clergyman. There II nothi
m. I'm this world more battling TO the mir
lst yet nothing more conspicuous TO {
ar observation. than the workings OF [
! law whereby this very time. when
ny would most dearly wish To hide
Ole secret. becomes the time when IL
lid most likely 10 he revealed
You would dissuade her. then?" IS
y, Stone.
Il do not say So" was the rejoind
re- 'and yet
ON what is the worsi that could h;