Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-10-03

AAAS' oA WY ~ w AlNG w III
form you that it is u%nfavorable."
Tom inclined his head. He had cher
ished no hopes.
The ordinary approached Carter.
II am SORRY to tell you it is all
against you Also" he continued. CAS-
for you, Creasey," and the latter tight
ened his grip on Toms arm, 81 am
happy to inform you that your life is
spared, and l am very happy to in
form all the others that by the royal
mercy their lives are spared"
Creasey withdrew his hand from
Toms arm and edged further away on
his knees. A deep sigh rose from a
dozen breasts; then as the chaplain
was about to offer up a prayer there
came a sudden crash at Toms side,
and the wretched Carter was founder
ing on the floor in commissions. The
rest We're hurried back to their cells.
and Creasey executed a breakdown
while Tom quietly undressed.
But that's all right.' cried the for
n expected, cause. you see, I'm an
innocent man an allus was: that's why
you caught me showing the
white, Erickson, though once or twice
you thought you did. Jiggered if yon
wouldn't believe anythink, a mug like
you! Why, l used to blk you every
blooming night for fun! Not but what
Pm sorry its all up with you. old
man; though it's a nice an comfy
death, you told me SO yourself, and
you know we've all got to die some
day. Besides, you done yours-no
denying it-but l never done mine at
all, so it's fair an square enough, You
must admit
The little cur was snoring in ten
minutes. He was removed to the
Transport side next morning. And
Tom, left in solitude, would have Civ
ell some days of the twelve remaining
to have had him back.
The execution was fixed for the 3Oth.
He would never see another June.
Bassett came from day to day with
news of the petition. 1t was being
signed, but not as freely as at first.
Bassett's disappointment was patent to
the condemned man. The smart young
fellow was in fact beginning to weary
Of his uphill work and to think about
the bill.
So next day Tom asked Bassett
whether the noble unknown had also
abandoned hope and effort.
Not he," said Bassett in a half dis
gusted tone. He is moving heaven
and earth; seeking private interviews
with the home secretary if not with
the king himself. He's quite capable
of it. a wonderful man when he gets
an idea into his head!'
"But what put this idea into his
head?"
Heaven knows!!"
Tom looked the attorney through and
through and asked another question.
Did you tell him how much 1 should
like to see him before 1 die-to thank
him."
81 did, but he is too busy working
for you, He said that would do YOU
moro good"
81 see" said Tom sadly; another
SoAiiAoio' 4iei Why is lG uOlIS II.
Culliford was paid, He paid him. But
why. again? See here, you Bassett.
Both you and he disbelieve in mel
know 1T now-but you are tired of your
Job, and he is not. Why not? l be-
lleve you know Then tell me, and let
us part friends once and for all. You
need bother your head no more about
me, only tell me what you must know"
II know nothing"
"'Then what you suspect"
Bassett considered; had his private
conviction Chat there was q woman
in it, on the tip of his tongue, but ul-
timately shook his shrewd. cool head.
There vas nothing to be gained by
speaking out. A dying mans gratitude
was nothing. And there might be
something to be lost. At any rate the
safe side was the wise side. with that
bill not ever properly drawn up. SO
Tom and his solicitor parted coldly for
the last time. and Tom tore up that
slip of writing which had been handed
to him at Ma%rylebone, but relented
next moment and treasured the torn
pieces till the end.
And now at last his gallant spirit
surrendered itself to the apathy of
sheer despair, and the physical col
lapse which supervened was almost as
complete as hat of the brave but bro
ken heart. A sudden outbreak of NOR
bid appearances brought the surgeon
in hot haste to clean the foul tongue,
to regulate the irregular pulse, moisten
the parched skin and, in a word, to
keep his man we'll enough to die on
the following Tuesday. The good Mac
murdo would as lief have given him a
draft of deadly poison. but such hui
mainly would have sem himself to the
gallows instead. So the surgeon did
his best for the poor doomed body. and
the chaplain did his best for an i'm
mortal soul still filed with bitter re-
bellion and rage. But this physician
"a less successful, though not less
kind-praying in his chamber for the
poor %impenitent, but vet doing what
In him lay to further such efforts as
were still being made for q reprieye.