The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-06-17

interest to follow II, the blood leaned
TO his pale cheeks, and he ceased IF
remember the unmoyed figure beside
him. for he saw himself free, free
again, on the wide highway, riding
with his dogs at his heels. The mir.
ture changed. and he shuddered but
he pursued his wrath with a burning
gaze.
NOW ne was in n bali room There
were lights and flowers lie heard the
Voluptuous waltzes in chords of pas.
sionate yearning. and at his side was
the smiling face OF q woman, a face
only too human in its sensuous lowell
ness. The pictures changed again and
again, but thereafter she was always
with him, and finally she wore his
ring. Then poverty, biting poverty,
came on them both, and she at his ell,
DOW, urging, always urging, that he
must provide luxury for her, no mat.
Ter what the cost He yielded He
gave her all she asked And the price
was his honesty, stain on n name
unblemished for centuries. She had
spoiled the castle OF his will and de
stroyed all its defenses, and So when
another temptar said; Drink and for
get" he drank.
Drank until Number Forty.nlne no
longer recognized himself in the
broken beggar OF tho streets. in the
maudin coward crouching under the
lash OF her bitter tongue.
The picture faded. The walls rose
straight and unbroken. He was In
his cell once more.
He looked aghast into the face of
his angel.
Is Fate 80 strong?"
ASK, rather" she said. pityipgly
are men 80 weak? You have trained
a splendid young body. the network of
your muscles is resplendent with elias.
tic yigor. But what of your dormant
shrunken VIII? What exercises have
hardened and perfected It? You
pass for scholar, and rightly You
have fair share of the learning of
your day But | say again--you will!
We're there colleges for that? Did
they teach you to be strong in the Goa.
given power that makes every man n
law unto himself? Are you armed
and courageous in the fatal recesses OF
the soul?
The mans head dropped.
i could have saved your body"
went on the voice, but | am your
good angel, and | led you into the
arms OF death. Shall | ask to be for
siyen?"
Forgive me. instead" said the man
luietly, and let me hold your hand ,
While | sleep again" ,
She sat beside him. with the warm, :
Dung fingers in hers. and Number ,
'orty.nine slept peacefully. +,
when morning came and the ward q
r found him composed. Ho even fan
led smile fingered round the boy y
sh mouth.
Who let her in?" demanded the n
risoner. eagerly.
Let who in?" said the warder. star. 6
lg n
The prisoner laughed. Il forgot you II
Duld not know"
little while. and then, through the o.
right August sunshine he passed on "
wards the scaffold 30 confidently d
lat the warder rubbed his eyes and
uttered his surprise to an assistant al
At last Number Forty.nine looked ri
'wn on the crowding faces, and then fe
rned to those waiting. ia
Il am ready" he said, dreamily. al
But the moose had not touched him ju
hen the crowd shouted loudly: &c
"A reprievei A pardon!"
Dusty and foam-spattered, rider Or
shed his horse through the glad
ovid. In an instant he was of and Va
the scaffold steps, his message out an
retched to the sheriff, who took II Al
gerly. No one marveled that the on
isoner locker over the officers shout SO
r as he read. The message ran tn
lefty:
Lose no time with the execution. ,h
ere is a dangerous rescue afoot, but ON
have deceived them as to the mn
le" ~.
suddenly aware that the prisoner az
S following every word, the sheriff nj.
ned the paper In his pocket. MY
d." he said. I'm sorry you saw
IL" a