El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-02-09
The Temptation
BY Henry Pollard.

! IN small house near the edge of the
moor. from the windows of which
on a clear day you might make out
the walls and towers of the big state
prison, Jeanne Bassett was sitting
reading a love letter from Paul Mou-
rier.
She sighed. opened drawer and took
out two photos one of the writer of
the letter, a handsome young fellow
with frank, open features. the other Of
a man who, though quite handsome in
a way. had a cruel expression and deep
set eyes.
~Oh. why did I not meet Paul five
years ago." she sighed, then many
things would have been different She
laid the photos aside and put the room
in order. Paul Mourfer called about
half an hour later
Before you speak" Jeanne said with
trembling lips. Il have a confession to
make I did not tell the truth when I
told you I was a widow. Ny husband
is alive. convict in the prison of ST.
Mourier stared at her. unable to say
a word
Just then there was the boom of
heavy gun.
1T is the cannon of st. Roche" Mou-
rier exclaimed. "A prisoner has escap-
ed. Strange that this should happen
just now
Again the cannon doomed
Il must leave YOU" said Paul but
cannot go until you promise me that
you will marry me II you are ever
free to do So
That 1 will. Paul she answered.
Thank you, Jeanne. and may the
Lord take pity on our poor love"
He clasped her hand and left A
few moments later the cannon again
doomed
Jeanne remained sitting motionless
she was thinking of her unhappy mar
riage; for unhappy 1t had been from
the very first. Bassett had been
drunkard and had abused her almost
from their wedding day and before
long he had succeeded in making her
hate him. And now he stood between
her and happiness.
A noise outside aroused her from
her thoughts and suddenly a man in ,
convict dress jumped through the open
window.
Your she gasped. Your
Yes, It is me. all right said the |
betray me. even If I am your hus-
band But I must admit, 1 had no idea !
you were living here
How dare you come to me-" she /
cried. DO you think you have right |
to expect any assistance from me. /
the woman whose life you have
Bassett laughed brutally.
Please don't try to preach any SER
mons he said Didn't 1 tell you had
no idea my sweet, forgiving
wife lived here. I am .4.lite sure. how
ever. should have come anyway for
believe after all you are one of the
few to be trusted. But give me soue-
thing to eat and be quick about IT. for
am hungry"
Silently she did as he asked her and
when he had finished, he told her now
he had escaped.
TT will be a guillotine this time for
me. If they catch me-" lie ended
What do you mean" Jeanne asked
Il thought 1 had explained myself
plainly enough. French law. that Of
Moses. demands life Tor a life and a
half hour ago I vas foolish enough to
kill a warden srlo tried tc stoo rig, so
I you don't want your d.ar husband
made head shorter, you
had better hide me until + can get out
If the country
But this will be the very first
'lace they will look for you"
'Nonsensei AS 1 have not written a
single line to you since I was sent UP,
hey won't know the first thing about
-ou. No, I am safe enough here, If
-ou do not give me away" he added
With a wicked smile.
She made no reply. He was as brutal
IS ever and it made her quite sick to
ave him near her. His only thought
vas Of his own safety. st this mo-
aeat she really hated him and terri
le thought shot through her brain
Why should she not surrender him 10 |
he representatives Of the law which |
le had broken? The law which de- |