Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-10-25

80 Na.rs
an end to it."
"But don't want to die! / dursn't
die! | don't deserve to die! Don't
keep telling yer l never done itY"
And the abject thing chung blubber-
ing to Toms arm as the turnkey who
was waiting at the door conducted the
pair upstairs.
The upper day room. or cell ward. as
It was indifferentIy termed. was but
poorly lighted with candles. whose Sc
pulchral rays added pallor even TO the
white faces of those dragged from
their beds to hear their doom. Inc
number of the latter being now COM
nIete. all fourteen were ordered 10
kneel and Tom found himself between
Creasey and Carter at one end OF the
line. Creasey still chung to bis arm.
Carter knelt like q rock. with his great
fingers cIutched in front Of him ana
heavy drops falling on them from MS
handed brow. This was all Tom saw
before the ordinary entered In MS gown
and halted before him first
"Mr. Erichsen," said he, with COM
passionate tremor, "the recorder mas
this evening made his report to the
king. am very sorry to have to In
form you that 1t is unfayorable."
Tom inclined his head. He had cher
ished no hopes.
The ordinary approached Carter.
81 am sorry to tell you 1t Is oil
against you Also" he continued. "As
for you, Creasey," and the latter tight
ened his grip on Toms arm, II am
happy to inform you that your life Is
spared. and / 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 prayer there
came sudden crash at Toms side,
and the wretched Carter was founder
ing on the floor In commissions. The
rest were hurried back to their cells,
and Creasey executed a breakdown
while Tom quietly undressed.
"But that's all rightw cried the for
mer, stopping suddenly. tits no more
n 1 expected. cause. you see, I'm an
innocent man an allus was; that's why
you never caught me showing the
white. Erickson, though once or twice
you thought you did. Jiggered II you
wouldn't believe anythink, q mug like
you Why, / used to blk you every
blooming night for fun! Not but what
I'm sorry it's all up with. you, old
man: though it's q 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 1 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
en- some days of the twelve remaining
to have had him back.
The execution was fixed for the Both.
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.
mot he" said Bassett In 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 knowsp
Tom looked the attorney through and
through and asked another question
"Did you tell him how much / should
like to see him before die-to thank
him?"
IT did, but he Is too busy working
for you. He said that would do you
more good"
81 see," said Tom sadly; "anothel
Culliford! Then why Is he doing It,
Culllford was paid. He paid him. Bu'
why, again? See here. you Bassett
Both you and he dlsbelieve In me-
know it now-but you are tired of your
Job. and he Is not. Why not? be
lieye YOU know! Then tell me. and LEI
us part friends once and for all. Yot
need bother your head no more about
me, only tell me what you must know
81 know nothing"
"Then what you suspect"
Bassett considered; had his private
conviction that there was a woman
in IT. on the tip Of his tongue. but I'll
timately shook his shrewd. cool head
There was nothing to be gained DJ
! speaking out. A dying mans gratitude
| was nothing. And there might b.
something to ta lost At any rate thu
/ safe side was the wise side, with tina
bill not even properly drawn up. 81
Tom and his solicitor parted coldly 10
, the last time. and Tom tore up tina
slip of writing which had been handed
| to him at Marylebone, but relentet
{ next moment and treasured the tori