Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-19
CHAPTER III.

day to drift on CLASSY mimi,
sky of silver rippled river under
green, willowy shadows; to lie
head on arms, under the tlecked gold
and emerald of cool woodland soil
tudes. In the prison Il grimy handed
wan procession. their fnces streaked
with black dust and perspiration
sweated doggedly at coal carrying. de-
MED the free laborers' cherished privi.
leges of grumbling. smoking and look.
ing on.
Another prisoner had lately shared
PARIS attentions via, as it We're, Muir
ply seconded--C 20. an intellectual ras.
cal whose native wits blossomed into
morbid ingenuity in annoying that
stolid official without overmuch risk
to himself. This Murphy had never
comprised. c 20. however. had done
! It once too often and had been chas.
tised by PARIS staff Sin self defense.
| OF this he complained with so much
wit that. though publicly snubbed. lie
brought private rebuke on Parr, who
remembered the circumstance. Fur
Their retaliation ensued. and G 10's soul
was bent on vengeance.
| During the coal carrying process a
| experimenting officer unconsciously
dropped pocketknife. c 80 covered
It with his foot and managed, unseen.
to snatch 1t UP. 1t was hot and the
wnrdcrs attention to their charges Il
little languid Thus 1t befell that while
Parr stood looking on, with severe
forcsone conclusion OF c 70's Sinking.
his limited horizon was very nearly
widened into a tragic comprehension
of all things by two which occurred 81.
simultaneously before and behind him.
In front G 20 suddenly dropped his
load, whipped round with coolly gilt
tering eye and, his arm vengefully lift
ed. drove q 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 irreslstibly
and with such magic swiftness that for
moment he mlslnid his own identity.
being slow Of comprehension. he could
not ascertain whether he was Parr. the
warder. or Murphy. the prisoner. so
suddenly had one been substituted for
the other.
There stood Parr unhurt, but unoffi-
cially staggering and smudged with
coal dust. and there lay Murphy ut his
feet. just where Parr had stood, his
course features wearing 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 moment. c 10.
bitterly disappointed and apoloyislng
Historically to Murphy. was hustled of
to 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,
smile. and In his languid
eye there was newborn sweet mild
ness, while feeble giggle OF perfect
as at an Incompatible joke,
rippled from his lips. Strange things
indeed were happening to him in the
way OF praise aud sympathy but these
were poor details beside the central
fact that &c As saved her
daddy for her. so he didw which he
whispered to himself again and again.
The governor appeared, not to glance
round the door with curt monosylla-
BILE or q warning against frivolous
but to stand beside him
for fully ten minutes and to say, which
Murphy but dimly understood. that his
TACT Of courage would be reported in
the proper quarter" A more impartial
ieliverer nearly spared him the trouble
BY setting Murphy free without prison
iormalities. But delight at what he had
lone really pulled him through.
Before his state of health permitted
him to avail himself OF 1t free pardon
came for Murphy. He received the
news morosely, saying, "Thankee. SIR"
n conventional and disappointing
manner His whole being had ex-
pressed defiance so long that 1t was
,ard to remold, though the inner Muir
Thy gave a great gasping shout of re-
lief when the thing was realized. Parr,
lrriving jubilant, was mortified at his
luiesoence, but had his innings when
lie began to relate Faysie's remarks on
he subject. Then Murphy fell to smil-
ng awkwnrdly. The smile widened on
lis pallid lips us a great possibility oc.
'urred to him till he looked quite brill
lantly ugly. but he made no remark.
Just after this Parr went away for
lis holiday. He came, however, to say
,oodby.
II shouldn't go now. but it II do the
title un bit o good p'raps." His eyes
linked in careworn way at the wall
yer hlurphy's head. she's lookin q
1t peaky."
MAKE her as strong as horse"
furphy rejoined. and the two. avoiding
ach others glance, laughed with gay
ypocrisy Then Murphy insinuated
equest which had long lowered on his
ongue. Say, Mr.. Parr. let me see her
n my discharge"
Parr stiffened moment as tribute
, discipline, then. unstiffening. replied:
I've no objection If the missis amt.
Gems only fair you should. seem what