The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-16
THE RECOVERY.
IA Story of Kentucky
Copyright, 1908, by JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER Entered at Stationers' Hall
All rights reserved
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 went with her to the door, and l zvatched the tall black-robed figure oassins down the street, until it was out of sight So far her tentative pre- diction has come true. We have not yet met again. and where she is and what she is I do not know. but l have faith. I believe that the great tragedy in her life has been a sobering shock and, though the struggle may be hard,> that she has kept to the strait anu Marrow path. And if she has hot am rot one to judge her.
 Events often repeat themseiVes anu kindred things happen close tos1Inei 1 have noticed it in my ll1e anu pIe sume that the lives of others are Ilo. different. The next day when walked home for luncheon it was again Setn who admitted me at the door, ana again he was mysterious and import ant.
 Another lady to see you, Governor, he said. in his favor1te. loud Whlsper, land like the other one she wouldn't see you anywhere but here. My, but she's a sumner. tool"
 While I had been in doubt about the identity of my first caller I knew in stinctively the second. It occurred to me suddenly that had known al the time that she would come, and that l was only waiting for her. My heart beat like that of boy. and I felt all he acuteness of nervous tension.
 She's in the parlor Governor" said .;eth. "and she's all in black. too."'
 I went into the parlor closing the -.oor behind me and Alicia rose to meet ne. As Seth truthfully said she was all in black like a widow, though yidow she was none, at least not yet. Ah, how my heart leaped at the sight of her dear face. with the stamp Of a treat sorrow upon it, but more beautl- ,ul to me than that of any other wom- .ln ever was or ever could be! what lad been my troubles to hers; and she u woman whom the decree or society makes almost defenseless! had not seen her in months. she whom l want cd most to see every day, but the nrst words I said to her were these:
 "Alic-a, I hoped that you would not come.'
 T know it. Harry" she replied, 'and did not want to come. but l had to do so. You have made great sacr fices Tor me- Harry. and now l am going to ask you to make the last and great est one. I ask you to pardon my nus band Georgs Grey"
 She stood before me, the earthly and the spiritual mingled in her, beautl- eul woman whom I loved, pleading for a life Another beautiful woman had stood at the same place and had plead
  loved one and did not love the other.
 "He was convicted" I said, "and convicted justly. My duty to the State forbids pardon"
 "There is another and higher duty, she said. 'It is the duty of the in- the old Roman who condemned his own son to death, and Harry, you cannot let this man die this man who was most in your-your-."
 She hesitated and flushed deep red, not finishing the sentence, but I knew we'll that it was 'in your way and we understood each other perfectly. could read her mind. She knew loved her. and she would have me to make this sacrifice as much for myself as for herself or Grey-perhaps more in word she would save me from my self.
 she came nearer to me. faintly felt her fragrant breath on my face.
 You must do it, Harry. she said, s.Oh, I know all it costs you. but If you do not, your conscience will never feel right again. not so long as you live. Spare him and you spare yourself"
 "I can't. can't" I exclaimed. Don't ask me. Alicia"
 '.But I do ask you.' she said. "and 1t is because you and l and George Grey are what we are. It is because of the relation in which we stand to one another that you must do it"
 The rapt look which passed over and beyond earthly affairs was on her face. and back to me came the same look which was so often on the .ace of the seer. Elias Peabody. am of the wor myself confess it-I always See the material side of things, but do not think that Alicia understood how the world would take this pardon that she asked or that the thought how 1t would take 1t occurred to her. Harry Clarke and George Grey, and the atti- tu1e in which they stood to one an- other were alone in her mind: did not blame her for it, instead it was a leep joy to me that my responsib lity not to the world hut to God should concern her so much.
 She came yet nearer to me and put ter hand upon my arm. Tears were in Fer lovely eyes as she raised them to ,7:ne, but in them nevertheless shone lae light of perfect confidence.
 Harry" she said. you will do this r0r me-"
 1T can't I can't!' repeated help .essly.
 But you will" she repeated firmly, if you do not you will feel all your fife that you are his murderer and yoiir accomplice-and for a price. Do you want to have that on your con- science every day and every night? or do you want me to have it on m.ne?"
 Why do you put it that way?" I ex- claimed.
 Because it is the right way. We must keep ourselves white. not before the world. but before ourselves and God I say again that I know all it costs. but you will do it. Harry"
 And lose you forever!' I exclaimed in a sudden passion, of which I was ashamed a moment later
 "You could not win me in such way" she said, repeating the very thought that had come to me so often, "nor do think Harry, that in your pest mind you would wish to win me in such a way. Our love is too pure, too noble for that"
 But to lose you all my life!"
 There is a world beyond this. I do not know it, but feel it. and maybe a just God. knowing all that we have suffered here. will decree that we shall Eeiong to each other there"
 She spoke quite simply. without the faintest touch of preaching, and for the moment I could go into the far future with her. My own vision sell lom passed beyond this world, but when Alicia went, she could take me 5oo.
 "You will pardon him." she said
 "Yes, will pardon him because you ask it."
 @'You will be glad of it all your days"
 did not know felt no emotion of ioy then. I sank down in a chair. She