Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-14


between himself and his friend and
spoke rapidly ia low tones:
appearances are all against me Wilson was
shot m way that shows he couldn't have done
It himself and as yet there Is no evidence thft
anyone besides myself was in the woods at the
time 1t is known that we had quarrcledi he was
the augresscr. but that cuts no figure as tue
case stards You and few Of my friends believe
tlat / am innocent but that jury viii never ac'
quit me; the verdict will be gulty'-nothing
else"
1T looks that way. Ned the other answered
slowly, his face drawn with the pain OF the nd
MISSION
eyes, il will be hanging or a life sentence, one
or the other, and there's no use in mjncng mat
tiers. But mark my words, Harry, I'll rever see
the inside of the penitentiary. I've mad enough
Of prison life here in this Jail since my arrest,
and it will hc easier to escape now than after
getting into the stripes
But how are you going to make 1t, ned!
'I can't tell you, Harry. You must remain "a
total ignorance of the whole matter. and what
more, you will never hear from me. after 20
day I must drop out of your life as completely
as though l were dead"
Great Scott, Ned' the other exclaimed in ogi'
tated tones, "have you thought of MildedE'
Aun you SCe lIdI III NoiilS 'hl9 A'N 49,
sake?" Ned demanded hoarsely-"for her sake
and vours What would it be for her to have
her lover hanged or imprisoned for life? Don't
you see there's no other course? There must be
no communication between us henceforth. You
will see me tonight for the last time
But, Ned" Harry interposed eagerly, I'VE
must have some sign that your plan, whatever it
is, is successful-that you are safe'
A slight smile lighted Neds pale face for an
instant. ''You will know" he said significantly.
1T will be success or suicide-I am prepared tor
either"
For your sake, Ned and for ours, don't do
anything desperate!"
'Whatever 1 do will be for your sakes, Harry,
remember that But don't tell Mildred anything
until it is all Overcome way the other
There was no opportunity for further conver-
satcn and Harry Thorpe left the Jail filled with
strange lnisgivings.
A little later the friends met in the courtroom.
Ned Raymond in the prisoners box, which hc
had occupied for tour weaTisome days while
near him in their accustomed places sat young
Thorpe and his sister.
lt was as Ned had predicted. Not only did
the jury fail to acquit him. but it rendered vcr-
dict of murder in the first degree, forclhle lad
been the argument of the prosecuting attorney
that the character of the wound III the back of
the head, precluding all possibility of sefde-
fense, was of itself convincing evidence of a dds-
tardly, cold-blooded crime.
That afternoon Raymond received his sentence.
The Judge, in consideration of the fact that he
had been convicted upon circumstantal evidence
alone, sentenced him to imprisonment for life.
With lips that smiled bravely, though quver-
ing with pain, Mildred Thorpe whispered:
Keep up good heart, Ned; Harry and will
have you out before many years. Something viii
come to light yet to prove your innocence"
Better forget it all, Mildred; better to Jet
me drop altogether"
'Never!' she flashed back, half-ndignantiy,
tben added I'm be down in the morning to old
You gcod-by.'
As he and Harry wrung each others hand
knowing it to be for the last time, he whispered,
Come down to the Jail yourself tomorrow morn
ing for the sake of appearances, but don't let
her come if you prevent it,
And Harry, speechless, nodded in token that
he understood.
Al an early hour the following monlr Ray
mcnd was to have left the Jail in the c'stcly of
the Sheriff. on route for the State Penlteutary
Soon after daylight, however. the night Warden
was missed tIcm his accustomed place lie Was
discovered locked m Raymond ; cell in a se-'i.
conscious condition, but Raymond was nowhere
10 be founi From the Wardens incoherent
talk it was inferred that there had been a strug-
gle between him and Raymond, and The latter
had dealt him blow which left him uncorsoioIS
4 slight confusion OH the head partially corr T.
grated this theoly. A large roll of bills IN bs
pocket probably had more to DO with his "ond
ton than the blow on the head but Of tnjs no,ii-
ing was known till months later. when the
Warden had established himself in a small gro
Gerry in the suburban districts None Of the