The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-25
OBTAINING the prisoner any longer.


is discharged. =
The magistrate looked thru his gold
trimmed spectatcles at the young man
standing between couple Of policemen
as II wondering what effect the decision
would have upon him. and from the close
~ packed court arose a subdued hum
whether Of assent or dissent it was diff
hcult to say.
Frank Hollis pale, anxious face cleared.
He bowed to the magistrate, the policemen
fell back, and he stepped from the dock
"a free man. He was instantly surround :
ed by knot of young fellows who, deaf
to the officials indignant cry of silence"
for the magistrate had not left the bench,
overwhelmed him with hearty, If noisy.
congratulations.
Then they fell back to give way to a
tall. lady-like woman who was endeavor-
ing to approach the somewhat dazed
young man. Tears of joy stood in the
large, melancholy eyes of the lady, and
she threw her arms around the neck Of
the released prisoner and kissed him.
II was certain you would be restored
to me, dear-dear boy she -murmured,
brokenly
He had her hand in his by this time, his
grasp frightened, and the warm pressure of
his fingers went straight to her heart
Yes, and was sure, too he returned
IN low voice. 1T was a bitter expert
eICe lOI me, mother, Out am not the
only one who has suffered"
His glance shifted from his mother s
face for an instant and rested on a girl
in deep mourning who was leaving the
court by another door, He was in hopes
she would turn, but she did not, and his
eyes showed his disappointment.
But Mrs. Holt knew nothing Of this.
She saw the change in her sons
! countenance, and attributed it to the
recollection of what he had passed thru.
"a more cruel charge was never made, y
said She TREMENDOUSLY. and the police be-
haved as If they thought you guilty.
"That is nothing said he quickly.
when they go so far as to take a man
into custody and charge him with an Of
Tense, of course they must justify what
they have done, or be looked upon as utter
fools. It's only human nature"
Human nature at its worst side,' re-
joined Mrs Holt, with emphasis. "If they
had wished to hound you down they could
have been more persistent. Did you see
how annoyed that Inspector looked when
the magistrate refused his application for
another adjournment?
"Oh, yes, 1 saw it, said Frank, shrug-
cling his shoulders. But, mother dear,
do not let us worry any more about this
miserable business-at least not yet awhile.
| You want rest after your terrible anxiety,
and I.should not object to a little change
after three weeks at Chelmsford prison. .
"Not yet awhile she repeated, catch
ing at the words, on which he had laid
great stress and looking at him anXiously
What do you mean?'
| '"The person who forged the letter, he
must be found. I do not believe the use
Of my name was accidental: There was
malice and intention. Recollect, mother
the man who wrote the letter, if not the
actual perpetrator Of this dastardly muir
der, was an accomplice. When we fine
the forger we shall also find the muir.
derer.'
"But, Frank, you surely do not intend
to mix yourself up further in this fright.
full AFFAIR."? whispered his mother, agi.
tatedly.
"Why not?"
do not, for heavens sake, do anything
so rash and foolish. Crafty and treach
erous assassins such as these have shown
themselves to be would not hesitate t,
strike at you if they thought they wer
in danger Of being dragged to light"
That's quite possible. For all that
mean to run the risk.
Mrs. Holt looked at her son in amaze
ment. There was a light in his eye, I
doggedness of tone, decision of name
she had never seen in him before. True
/ he had always been earnest and persever
ing-his work was proof of this-but sh
had always attributed these qualities t,