The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-10-02

warderS' attention to their charges q
little languid. Thus it befell that while
Parr stood looking on, with severe
foregone conclusion of G 79's shirking,
his limited horizon was very nearly
widened into a tragic comprehension
of all things by two which occurred ST.
multaneously before and behind him.
In front g 70 suddenly dropped his
load, whipped round with coolly gilt
tering eye and, his arm vengefully lift
ed, drove Il small streak of light
straight at PARIS broad chest. In rear,
where the next gang of prisoners stood
painting and mopping their brows,
awaiting their turn, pair of iron arms
seized him to drag him aside irresistibly
and with such magic swiftness that for
Il moment lie mislaid his own identity.
Being slow of comprehension, he could
not ascertain whether he was Parr, the
warder, or Murphy. the prisoner, SO
suddenly lad one been substituted for
the other.
There stood Parr unhurt, but unoffi-
cially staggering and smudged with
coal dust, and there lay Murphy at his
feet just where Parr had stood, his
coarse features wearing a sudden white
dignity, and the knife, which should
have been in PARIS breast quivering
in his side There was menacing tan
gle of men just for a moment G 20,
bitterly disappointed and apologizing
Historically to Murphy, was hustled off
to a punishment cell amid a subdued
buzz of powerless units. Murphy was
borne with much consideration to the
infirmary, his deed being one which,
besides its intrinsic heroism, was for
obvious reasons admirable in the eyes
of prison officials. For the latter cause
he was little ashamed of it himself
Lying quietly in bed, Murphy's livid,
pain lined features were all one large,
unconquerable smile, and in his languid
eye there was a newborn sweet mild
ness, while a feeble giggle of perfect
satisfaction, as at an incompatible joke,
rippled from his lips. Strange things
indeed were happening to him in the
way of praise and sympathy, but these
: were poor details beside the central
magnificent fact that &c As saved her
daddy for her, so he did," which he
whispered to himself again and again.
The governor appeared, not to glance
round the door with a curt monosylla-
bic or a warning against frivolous
complaints" but to stand beside him
for fully ten minutes and to say, which
Murphy but dimly understood, that his
"act Of courage would be reported in
the proper quarter" A more impartial
deliverer nearly spared him the trouble
by setting Murphy free without prison
formalities. But delight at what he had
done really pulled him through.
Before his state of health permitted
him to avail himself of it free pardon
came for Murphy. He received the
news morosely, saying, '"Thankee, sir"
in a conventional and disappointing
manner. His whole being had ex-
pressed defiance so long that it was
hard to remold, though the inner Mur-
ply gave q great gasping shout of re-
lief when the thing was realized. Parr,
arriving jubilant, was mortified at his
quiescence, but had his innings when
he began to relate Faysie's remarks. on
the subject. Then Murphy fell to smil-
ing awkwardly. The smile widened ON
his pallid lips as great possibility oe-
Cured to him till he looked quite brill
liantly ugly but he made no remark.
Just after this Parr went away for
his holiday. He came, however, to say
goodby.
II shouldn't go now, but it III do the
little un bit O. good p'raps." His eyes
blinked in IL careworn way at the wall
over Murphy's head. "She's lookin' a
bit peaky."
"Make her as strong as a horse"
Murphy rejoined, and the two, avoiding
each others glance, laughed with gay
hypocrisy. Then Murphy insinuated a
request which had long hovered on his
tongue. "Say, Mr.. Parr, let me see her
on my discharge"
Parr stiffened moment as tribute
to discipline, then. unstiffening, replied:
"Tve no objection if the missis amt.
Seems only fair you should, seein' what
you done, II. Ite."
The great day came. 1t was still hign
summer. Murphy sailed forth, dis
charged with merely conventional 'ig-
nominy." An officer or two wished him
good luck, and there had been a small
subscription privately made for de-
cent suit of clothes. Murphy was stiff
and awed at himself in large checked
tweeds, a white collar and a satin tie
q tie of glaring blue, at his own re-
quest. Blue he stated to be "slap up
color" He had also a shilling or two in
his pocket.
He'll go into the first pub" said
witty cynic, land spend the lot"
But Murphy did not. He had too
much respect, look you, for his sweet
heart, whom he hoped to meet! He stole
guiltily instead into a small toy and
sweet shop, where he purchased lolli-
pops and, sentimentally, black head
ed soldier doll in a startling scarlet uni
form. Carrying these with great care
and mentally combating the idea that
every one, especially policemen, knew
he had just come out of prison, he
tramped cheerfully through the dusty
suburban sunshine. He reached st.
Catharines road-a hard, yellow road.
with few dirty children hanging
about, as if there had been some recent
excitement-and found No. 49, in whose
square yard of garden he recognized,
with thrill of agitation, some wilted
maripolds