The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

sentenced to serve term In prison ne
was not bad at heart or inclination: he
had simply yielded to an overDOwering
temptation and had fallen. In the silent
prison days he repented and determined
TO live an upright life when he was re-
leased He would change his name, and
reform.
"All this seemed simple and easy
enough in imagination while in prison;
but outside Of the walls he found bis
pathway hard and rugged. The faint of
the prison clung TO him. and from one
position to another he was forced
through the accidental discovery OF his
convict days. Almost discouraged Re
finally saved enough money TO enter
| business for himself In a small way in
New York There he succeeded. AMI the
past seemed to be buried and forgotten
at last He prospered, and in time fell
in love with an estimable young wo-
man, who returned his affection. They
became engaged. and life for once seem
ed to flow smoothly without the proven
bal ill-luck The only Thing to mar his
happiness was the remembrance Of the
past He did not feel il his duty 10 in
form his sweetheart Of his past crime
and Imprisonment. for it might separ-
ate them for good. His conscience wor-
ried him at times. but he determined TO
live it down and let the past bury the
past
Then one day came the unfortunate
incident which makes this story SO
heartrending to me. A friend OF his
fancee was a relative OF a captain at
detective headquarters, and he invited
them to visit the police department
Offices under his guidance. They accept
ed the invitation, and together they went
and examined the different relics Of
famous criminals who had figured In
crimes long since forgotten. They Serf
nearly ready 10 leave the building wheT
someone suggested that. they visit the
rogues gallery. The hundreds OF pho
tographs OF well-known and lesser
known rogues were cursorily examined
They passed on from one TO another
But suddenly they stood transaxed be
fore No. 2,OO1-a small, inconspicuoui
photograph OF young man. deathlik'
silence tell on the company. NJ!
friend turned white, and his arm trem
bled with agitation. and not one OF tn
company dared look at him He coul'
have denied It, and they would have be
lieved him. But he was too honest 70
that IN cold, hard tones he relates
all. telling them that he had been
criminal. and that the photograph va
that OF himself. Then, as his iance
shrank back from him, he turned, an
hurried from the building.
. He came West. and drifted from on
mining camp 20 another. He is her
now in despair. l dare not leave hin
He is hopeless, and desperate. H
clings TO me, and IL should leave hiI
he would commit suicide. / have bee
trying 70 induce him TO write to hi
aancee, bxt he will not. No woma
could forgive a man for being a crimi
nal and much less for winning her Low
under those false conditions. hay
used all my influence to persuade hi
differently. But he is relentless, and
am in despair myself. What would yo
do? You are a woman. and can answ"
this question better than /. Should b
return 10 his fancee and ask her fol
giveness? How would she receive him
The letter closed abruptly. and whe
Lefty dropped Il into her lap tears stoo
In her eyes. She WAS unsatisfied. Their
had been no reference 10 their own low