The St. Mary banner., 1908-02-22

what you would say. was as rn'
decided as that. But 1t must be post
ed at once to go by to-morro"
steamer. And-and there is no Tea-
son why l should not eo?'
None" ,>..,.
Then l will 60"
He had grown white and stern, but
although he was on the rack he had
borne the torture bravely.
1T has gone" she said, quietly.
after a pause. And next month l
shall follow. And now. my frleno.
forgive me-hut since my decision Is
irreyocable, will you not tell me why
you wanted me to go?"
II wanted you to go?-my God!
It was a cry of agony. The delicate
pearl paper knife he unconsciously
had been toying with snapped IN MIS-
hand. What have doEe:" he said
abruptly.
Nothing. What is that to what
YOU have counseled me to do?'
She watched the growing conflict
in his face until, half trembling at
the emotion she had stirred. she sa"
him brace himself to speak.
81 will tell YOU he said, at last.
"Theye was once a boy whose par
ents. who were poor, died early, and
he grew up in the streets. He worked
in the factories and lived as such
waits do. picking up little knowledge
that Is coed, much that is bad. Wnen
he was lad Of sixteen hard times
came. the factories shut down and
| he could get no work to do. Then
he fell in with an evil comrade older
than himself, and at last plot was
formed between them to rob the
wealthy manufacturer house. The
boy was to do the work and share
the plunder. He made the attempt.
was caught in the act and thrown
into prison. His comrade. unsus-
pected, escaped. The boy lay in pris-
on for weeks, and then finally he
was brought into the courtroom
barefooted and in rags. He acknowl-
edged his crime and told his miser-
able story from beginning to end,
asking no pity and expecting none
Aud with the taint OF the prison upon
him there seemed nothing but its
darkness before him forever.
But those men were strangely
| nerciful. They bought the lad de-
cent clothing. made up a purse for
him. opened the prison doors. and
bade him go forth and begin his life
anew.
He did so; he left the town where
he was too we'll known and came 10
a distant city Ard there. without
even changing his dishonOred name.
| he sought and found employment.
He worked by day and studied by
night. He won his employers conf
dence and rose to a position OF trust.
And when, after ten years time, MS
friend and employer died, he suc-
ceeded him, and has carried on the
business for now five years.
| Helena. am that man: I. Barry
Stevens. was that guilty lad caught
robbing my former employers house
and set at large by those merciful
minded men. It is all on record In
that place: it was published In many
papers at that time. There are men
living who remember and could
point ME out to-day. and that Is why
God help mel must let you go
Such as have no right ever 10 speak
lof-love."
She arose and her fine eyes shOne
like stars.
And that is what has made you
what you are! Oh. don't know
what I dreaded-but never dreamed
how noble man could become, ris'
ing to such a height on his dead
self! And your name-any one
would be proad OF it now! Why dc
you look so at me? / am no foolish
girl, talking wildly. but a woman
proud even to be thought worthy O
such confidence." - New Yorl
News.