Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-29

look came back into those wonderful eyes
of hers.
II do not understand you Harry" she
said. but shall help you. Do you think
could he content while you are here?"
You'd better so now" I said rudely
and / was rude from purpose. They'll be
/ missing YOU if YOU stay longer. Besides
there's nothing more to be said
| turned away from her and went back
toward the rack OF tools but ! could
feel her eyes upon me. following me in
wonder and hewiiderment. Then I knew
that she. too. turned away and went out
of the blacksmith shop into the prison
yard. Polk quit fussing with the tools
and began 10 pump the bellows. I said
nothing 10 him. but looked my graft 6e.
The old saving that there is honor among
thieves is true He would rot ask me-
OF my secret. Of the woman young and
beautiful. vino talked TO me so earnestly
nor did he ever do so
As for me--a man in stripes. convict
J was happy. and ! think it was one of
the purest joys that I ever felt Alicia had
NOT neen traitor to me. She had not
willingly allowed me to suffer that I
migh; protect her good name and row
she would instantly put herself il a false
lieht to save me. had I not made 1t i'm
possible.
| went 10 the door of the blacksmith
shop. The mem berS OF the conlnitte, and
their friends wdre just entering the broom
factory on tho far SIDE of the yard hut
Alicia fingered behind. I could see her
standing somewhat detached from the
others, her slende, figure line OF light
FOR ne. She was U-rapned i'm p long black
cloak. but in her black ha. there was a
knot of red ribbon that cleaned like a
flame in the winter sunshine Il was to
me splash of color ard vivid hone in the
gloomy prison yard. As I looked she on
tered the broom factory after the others
ard then all the light was gone from the
somber Enclosure. I-ely clouds f1oat.d out
or The northwest and slow flakes of snow
began to fall!
When the day's work was over aud
returned to my cell l found there man
transformed by joy. his hollow cheeks
flushed. his tired eyes alive and eager
Elias waved at me- Il legal document that
he had been clutching tightly in his hand
Il m FREE I'm free Charlie he cried
and it was the tone of a bo, let loose
from hard school. See it's my pardon.
! go tomorrow
I smiled. I shared his iov. Although
knew how I should miss him
you'll soon see your mountains again.
Elias. | said.
Never to leave them again 7 hone -
ne said Then he paused and his face
fell
But. Charlie, you stay here" he added
Il can't be happy when I think Of you
behind
Don't bother about me. I said cheer
lily and my good humor was not assumed.
III SottS. 700. IN Tune ana l We plans
for the future. You can help ma with
them now: You can do me a great favor.
if YOU will. Elias
A happy thought had come t, me when
he told me of his speedy freedom. and I
did not lirger now over its execution.
Well behaved prisoners were allowed
certain amount of stationery, and I wrote
long letter which Elias promised to
smuggle to lady in the town He could
do ii easily as he was 10 go forth free
man on the morrow. and when I assured
him on my word OF honor that II was to
serve good purpose he put aside his
scruples.
l hid nothing from Alicia 7 told here of
my life before I came to her house in
Louisville. OF the depths to which T had
sunk. and then ! related all my plans for
the future. What these were I put before
her in careful outline. and l showed her
clearly how an Interference by her now.
however. we'll meant. would spoil them
all. II would ruin my life as we'll as hers
and ! begged her if she had any care for
me to let things go as they were: my
real identity was hidden. and If she un-
dertook TO release me she would have to
lift this veil of secrecy. which would be
fatal. Then al the close I asked her to
destroy the letter as soon as she had
read 1t. ! signed no name.
| sealed the envelope and handed it to
Elias requesting him to find her and TO
deliver ii TO her secretly or not at all
CTo be continued tomorrow