Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-01
CHAPTER IV-Continued.

Later in the evening I walked about the
streets. and the next day | stroHed
through the city in the full daylight, lone
some. unrecognized. but all the time grow
ing more used to my freedom. 1t was as
tonishing how quickly my prison life
seemed to slip away from me: it was
there, but it had now the effect of dis
lance, it seemed to have happened long
time ago On the second evening l went
10 the theater and on the third day / did
what ] had come to the city to do. All
the time | had been but waiting the OPP
portunity.
I knew that Louisville held one person
who would recognize me at the first
glance, from whom no change in either
expression or dress could hide the fact
that it was Harry Clarke. and that per-
son was Alicia. | had felt that l must
come to see her before beginning my new
career. and / had felt with equal force
that she would expect me. More than
once | mad passed the house. seeking a
convenient chance. because i did not
mean to bring risk upon her a second
time. but it was not until the third day
that | found II. Then / saw Alicia come
out of the house alone, walk down the
street a short distance and turn into a
small park which is set here in the south
ern part of the city.
| presumed that it was merely a wal
for air and exercise, but I followed at fifty
yards distance and entered the park also.
] felt modification that | should have TO
stink after her in this manner, instead OF
walking boldly by her side in the face OF
all the world, because | hate the cloak os
secrecy and disguise, but the circum-
stances compelled ii.
The autumn foliage was still on the
trees in the park. burning in intense tints
of red and yellow and brown. and she
walked into one of the more secluded
paths where she was almost shut from
view of the city by the intervening leaves
and boughS | followed. quickening my
benches. When ] came near her L hest
tated. not wishing to startle her, but she
rose. extended her hand and said. "Har-
ry! as If she had expected me.
Alicia had changed somewhat: her iS-
IRE was a little fuller and there was a
higher dignity. but her face still bore the
seal of d great sorrow. making to me an
irresistible appeal. In her eyes shone
such welcome that | forgot myself tor
q few moments I seized the outstretc he'd
hand and held it longer and tighter than
I should have done. until "a blush rose to
her face Then / dropped it, remembering
that this woman was another mans wife.
''Sit here" she said. pointing to the
bench and / sat down beside her.
II knew that YOU would come TO see
me- she said. land that you must be
here now. Your term at frankfort ex-
pired two days ago When l came from
d
Then ! turned into the park that you
might follow me and that we might talk
together unobserved. Harry. / am very
glad to see YOU again, and oh. so glad to
see YOU without those hateful convict
stripes, Oh. 1 would never have allowed
this had l known at the time, and even
afterward l should have cried to all the
world that you were innocent! Three
years out of your life! Three years that
can never be repaid to your
They have not been lost. Alicia
replied 1T was rough cure. the rough
est that a man could have, but when
saw you that night / was on the road to
destruction and l was travelling fast"
She put one gloved hand to her eyes for
a moment.
THAT does not absolve me- she said
bitterly. II have always with me the
knowledge that another has suffered
great injustice to protect me, and the
burden is heavy"
You are unhappy. Alicia. I said.
speaking with involuntary impulse what
i had long known.
your she cried as if the yielding at last
10 the desire to let herself go brought her
relief You have seen it, you cannot be
blind. You are my truest friend, when
some other one should be-
IL was as if her soul was laid bare. and
] was deeply embarraS sed. At such
moment ] knew nothing to say. nothing
TO do. and l could but sit in silence until
she recovered herself.
Harry she said at last "you wrote