The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-11

When the judge said: -Four years at hard labor." Manning only smiled. The press called him calloused the public held him conscienceless scoundrel; Cassie put him out of her life.
 At the close of his term, Manning re- turned. There was none at the station to extend him a welcome home; there were few who exchanged greetings as he walked up the street.
 He did not want to pass her home so he took circuitous route, and stood fln- ally beside the big rock at the rivers brink.
 He could not have told what brought him there. Yet 1t was the old-time as- sociations for which his heart still yearn- ed-thoughts of her which had remained with him through all the weary years of his imprisonment.
 And finally he heard come one coming down the path to the big rock. He glanc-- ed up. It was Cassie He was not sur prised. It seemed so natural that she should come to their old trytsing place.
 She knew he was there, yet she did not glance at him, but walked with her head slightly bowed. gazing at the ground.
 While yet some little distance away, she paused, and he saw the color come and go in her face.
 Brother Lloyd IS at home" she said, sadly. He is very sick. and-wishes to see you.'
 Then she was gone. Manning stood for many moments sic lently gazing up the path whence she had disappeared. Then he followed.
 When he stepped upon the veranda at her home. a door was opened silently and he entered A servant lead him up the stairs, and he was ushered into room where the sick man lay upon a bed. Then the door was closed behind him. and he and Lloyd Brewster were alone.
 "Old man." said Brewster, holding out wasted hand. I'm about all in, but be- fore am called upon to pass my creden- tials over to Saint Peter, 1 want to tell you that I have been a coward too long. For four years have walked the streets free man, and let you suffer for my sins. Had any honor or manhood. r."
 "Sh-h-" cried Manning. '"They will hear you"
 T want them to hear me-" Brewster declared. That's why I sent for you. Say, Manning, old boy, what did you do it for? Why did you confess to a crime you never committed?"
 Manning seated himself upon the edge of the bed and took the others hand.
 Dear old boy" he said, you are to be quiet. now, and listen to me. You have a sister, Lloyd, whose heart would have been broken, and you have a father. whose declining years would have been filled with agony and humiliation which. because of his Scotch training, would have been as iron in his soul. It was be- cause I, who had none to thus disgrace. loved that sister and respected the gray hairs of that father. For their sakes I have done what I did,
 A groan escaped the sick man, and he sank back upon his bed and reached a hand under his pillow.
 But you shall suffer this disgrace no longer, Manning" he cried, pulling a paper from its hiding place and thrust ing 1t into the others hand. You are to give that to Cassie-after am gone. She loves you. old man-and I have written 1t all-all."
 | Exhausted, the sick man, who. in his excitement, had raised himself upon one elbow fell back upon his pillow, and Manning saw the death pallor spread over his face. So he hastened to sum mon a servant and send for Lloyd's fa- 1 ther and Cassie.
 AS father and daughter entered the room and knelt by the bed, Manning stood watching them in pity. his back | to a grate in which a small wood fire l was burning.
 He is dead" said the minister, finally. rising from his pended knees; The is dead. but 1t is well with his soul. for there is a smile upon his face"
 Cassie raised her head and for an in | stant glanced at Manning. In her eyes was the gleam of love that pleaded to be comforted. Then she bowed her head and | wept.
 | For many moments Manning battled with his great love for her. but the sor-