Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-07-18

able that we should take shelter under
a roof. Then said Stanmore, with an
other of those compassionate glances
which I had already observed:
"Gaskell, old man. am going to
show you something; but you must first
give me promise"
"What promiseW asked.
''That when you see what I have to
show you, and when you hear the ex-
planation l shall give, you will not run
away from me-"
II give you the PROMISE" said, "but
I cannot stay with you over tomorrow
night"
/ "Where are you going to, then"
81 do not know"
"Well, WE'LL" he said, as though loatlr
to press me, fearing that l might re-
tract my promise: Il must be content.
But hope we shall meet again. There
is singular attraction in you. Gaskell,
for which cannot account. You
promise me honorably?"
"Yes, honorably."
"As q gentleman"
made a pitlful motion with my
hands; could not help it. There was
so much true sincerity and feeling in
his voice that 1t touched my heart.
could not, could not restrain the little
sob Of thankfulness which burst from
me. Was it possible that l, a murderer.
q thief. could still win the resepct of
men? l turned from him, ashamed
that he should witness my agitation
and partly afraid that 1t might betray
Me.
"As gentleman?" he repeated.
"lf you will have it So" said, "as
a gentleman"
81 hold you to it," lie said.
Then he took his sketchbook from
his pocket, and, detachlng leaf, hand
ed it to me. I stared at the drawing
in dumb amazement.
1t represented a bedroom, the bed.
room he and had occupied on the pre-.
ceding night. On the table was a
lighted candle, and near it stood
man, apparently just risen from his
bed. In his right hand were two ar
ticles, upon which he was gazing with
an expression of unutterable woe and
despair upon his face.
The man was myself. The articles
l was gazing on were the ripg and the
cord.
at is yourself, you see,' said Stan
more.
81 see," muttered.
"Do you remembers" he asked
mo"
ut occurred last night, at 3 o'clock
by my watch. / was awake, thinking
Of my wife, amused at the surprise l
had In store for her. A movement from
the part Of the room in which you slept
attracted my attention. You rose from
your bed, struck match and lit the
candle. l called, and asked you
whether you were unwell; you did not
answer. You searched your pockets,
and produced therefrOm a diamond
ring and piece Of string. You ap'
preached the candle, and looked down
upon them, with just that expression
upon your face have caught so faith.
fully. I called to you again, and again
you did not answer. Then rose, got
my sketchbook and made the drawing.
1t struck me as good subject for q
picture. 1t is seldom an artist has the
chance Of catching such an expression
us that. When the sketch was finished,
came quite close to you and looked at
the ring and the piece Of string. 1t was
q common, strong piece of cord, but the
ring startled me, the diamond in 1t
being of such extraordinary briliancy.
1T is strange thinks 1, that Friend
Gaskell works as hop-picker, and
lives on bread and water'-I know that,
you see-'when he owns q ring which
he could sell or pledge for good many
pounds You were fast asleep, Gas.
kell, and l was more than ever con-
vinced that you are the hero of some
strange story. For Mt least quarter
Of an hour you stood In the same atti-
tude in which you are depicted; then
you put out the candle; in the dark
you replaced the articles In your pocket,
and l heard you creep into bed. That
is ALL"
1t was sufficient. Was it fated that
l myself should be compelled by mex
orable justice to supply evidence Of
my guilt? Not for my life did care,
but the honor and good name of my
wife and daughter were in my keeping,
and those l must protect so long as it
lay in my power.
"Stanmore," I said, "release me from
my promise. l must go away at once
at once"
"You are afraid Of me-"
81 am. Better for me never to speak
to mortal man again"
"Look again at the sketch, Gaskell.
Examine it WELL"
obeyed him, but saw nothing in 1t
that had not seen before.
T am skilled In the nuances Of ex-
pression," he continued. Frivolous
person as I am, claim to be subtle in
my art. There Is despair in the face of
this drawing; but, Gaskell, 1t Is not
the despair Of guilt; 1t is the despair of
Innocence. / decline to release you
from your promise. You remain with
me at least till tomorrow night. What
do you wantT