The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-01-30

surroundings, and his eyes wandered
from her face and we're gazing dream
lily through the window into the blue,
cloud-fecked vault beyond. A stupor
was steadily creeping over him. She
tried to rouse him. she put one hand
on his arm, and held the confession
up before him in the other.
What is to be done with this?" she
asked.
in pitiful, dazed way, he looked
long at che priceless document; then
he took II gently from her.
II will" he waited so long with
the unfinished sentence on his lips and
his eyes bent on the paper that Marian
venturod to timidly recall him.
We'll, Jim?" she faltered.
He looked up at her.
Destroy IT," he whispered, hoarsely.
IL was all over now. He rose and
held ont his hand.
"Good-by," he said gently
She suddenly sprang up and
snatched the paper from him.
Still doubtful of me, Marian? You
won't trust me yet2'
A beautiful color flooded her face:
SOFT light-half proud, half fearful
shone in her upturned eyes. She held
the document in her left hand, closely
pressed against her heart
No" she said softly, as sho took
his, hand and put it to her lips, Il
won't trust you"
And thus they parted.
He went home that night. His
father was away on business. His
mother was surprised, though reioiced
to see him. For one evening she had
her darling all to herself. She was
jealous even of her beloved husbands
share in the delight of his presence, so
| much did her heart yearn over her
slandered son. AS she sat before the
cheerful hearth, her boy on footstool
beside her, his head resting against
her shoulder, her heart went up in
gratitude that he should have been re-
stored to her, sound in mind and body.
There was no room for regretful
! thoughts. He told her he had sud-
den impulse to return home, and had
obeyed it.
81 he change has done me all the
good it can ever do, mother" he said
| sadly. 81 want to be with you now"
She bent and kissed him.
You must keep up brave heart,
| my darling" she said. For the pres
ent you must be content with your
poor old parents uGdying love and
/ trust, cheered and strengthened by the
| thought that some day you will have
all men's-in full measure, too, my
son. The truth must come to light
sooner or later"
! Poor fellow! He put his arms round
her and sobbed his heart out on her
! bosom.
The early post next morning brought
a letter TO Mrs. Weyburn. The sight
| CT the handwriting stirred both their
| hearts. 1t was a dismal morning. Mrs.
Mrs. WraybuTn sat down before Ine
| glowing heat, and called Jim to her
we will read it together Jim,"
she said.
He knelt by her side and encircled
| her with his arms. Ii read as follows:
| Dear Mrs. WraybuTn: This after
noon your son brought me the proof OF
! his innocence-an authenticated con-
fessiOn OF the accompnce of the cul-
| prit. The cuiprit is-my husband!
| And in my first anguish and bewildeT-
ment implored the man whom I have
| already SO cruelty wrOnged to spare
my husband, my babies, and myself,
and he promised to destroy the evil
| do hat
name, and all the innumerable bless
ing that follow in its train. But as
he stood before, heart and spirit
broken, with that priceless document
! my md words had rendered useless,
held so Imply in his hand, the divine
truth flashed upon me, and | saw my
sin in all its glaring horror. The
! truth-however cruel it m ght seem
/ is always best. To shield the guilty
suffer could never really benefit my
innocent babes, my poor, SHINING hus-
band, or my weak self. So / snatched
the paper from him-he was far tCo
noble to be trusted with it, now that
he knew all. That same evening 1
| took advice and dispatched the confess
| sion to the proper authorities. Your
sons name is vindicated, and my soul
is free from sin. I have right to
look to Heaven for aid. May God pro-
test me and my helpless babes, Tell
your son that, even in the midst of
my grief and despair l revere and es-
TEEN him above all men, and amongst
the myriads of regrets, congratulations
and good wishes that will pour in
upon him, there will be none more
heartfelt than those OF her who soon
will be a conviet's wife.
Yours in sorrow, MARIAN
UrSIe ES SSS Sa-l.