Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-07-21
for The Term of His Natural Life
BY MARCUS CLARKE



The eager light died out of her eyes,
and in its place came look of disap-
pointment and pain. 81 thought it was
good man." she said holding by the
edge of the doorway. at sounded like
a good voice.
And then shep ressed her hands over
her eyes and shuddered. "There, there"
says Vickers. soothingly. 'don't be
afraid, Poppet; he can't hurt you now"
The colloquy in the court went on
DO you know the prisoners in the
dock?"
yes"
''Who are they?"
John Rex, John Shiers. James Lesly
and. and-Pm not sure about the last
man"
You are not sure about the last man.
Will you swear to the three othersY'
Il was in the chain gang at Macqua
rie Harbor with them for three years"
Sylvia. hearing this hideous reason for
acquaintance. gave low cry, and fell
into her fathers arms.
"Oh. papa. take me away I feel as If
l was going to remember something ter
rible!'
Amidst the deep silence that prevailed
the cry of the poor girl was distinctly
audible in the court. and all heads turn
ed to the door. In the general wonder
no one noticed the change that passed
over Rufus Dawes His face flushed
scarlet, great drops of sweat stood on
his forehead. and his black eyes glared
in the direction from whence the sound
came, as though they would pierce the
envious wood that separated him from
the woman whose voice he had heard.
Maurice Frere sprang up and pushed his
way through the crowd under the bench.
Whats this?' he said to Vickers, al
most brutally. what did you bring her
here for? She is not wanted. told
you that"
Il considered 1t my duty, sir" says
Vickers with stately rebuke.
THAT ruf1an Dawes frightened her. ~
said Meekin. "a gush of recollection,
poor child. There, there, calm your
self, Miss vickers. He is quite safe. -
frightened her, eh?'
YES" said Sylvia, family, "he fright
ened me, Maurice. I needn't stop any
longer, dear. need l."
NO" says Frere. the cloud passing
from his face. Major. 1 beg your
pardon, but l was hasty. Take her home
at once. This sort of thing is too much
| for her." And so he went back again
to his place, wiping his brow, and breath
Ing hard, as one who had just escaped
| from some near peril.
| Rufus Dawes had remained in the
same attitude until the figure of Frere
passing through the doorway. reused
him. "Who is sheT' he said. in low
hoarse voice, to the constable behind
him.
miss Vickers." said the man, shortly
| hinging the information at him as one
might fling bone to dangerous dog.
Miss Vickersr' repeated the convict
still staring in a sort of bewildereC
agony. "They told me she was dead.
The constable shifted contemptuously
at this preposterous conclusion. as wht
should say: "If you know all about it
animal. why did you ask?' And then
feeling that the fixed gaze of his inter
rogator demanded some reply, added
you thort she was, I've no doubt. Yo,
did your best to make her so, I'v'
| heard"
The convict raised both his hands will
sudden action of wrathful despair. a
though he would seize the other. despit
the loaded muskets, but checking him
self with sudden impulse, wheeled roun,
to the court. "Your honorl Gentle
men! 1 want TO speak.
The change In the tone of his voice
no less than the sudden loudness of tel
exclama ton. made the faces, hithert
bent upon the door through which MI
Frere had passed, turn round again t
many there it seemed that the ''notoriou
Dawes" was no longer In the box, for il
place of the upright and defiant villai
who stood there an instant back was
white-faced, nervous, agita ted creature
bending forward in an attitude almost o
supplication, one hand grasping the raj
as though to save himself from falling
the other outstretched toward the bench
"Your honor, there has been some dread
full mistake made. l want to explai
about myself 1 explained before, whe
first 1 was sent to Port Arthur but tn
letters were never forwarded by the CON
mandant. OF course, that's the rule. an
I can't complain. I've been sent Their
unjustly, your honor. I made that boa
your honor. l saved the majors wifi
and daughter. l was the man; l did
all myself. and my liberty was swor
away by a villain who hated me.
thought until now that no one knew tn
truth, for they told me that she wa
dead" His rapid utterance took tn
court so much by surprise that no on
interrupted him. 81 was sentenced I
death for boiling. sir. and they reprieve
. me because / helped them in the boa
Helped them! Why, l made it! Sh
will tell you so. l nursed her, l carrie