Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-12-23

Temple stepped quickly 20 the 0ooe
and threw II open. Then. In amaze
ment, he stepped back.
"Graneerg' hs exclaimed. 'sWhat
are you doing herer'
A little white faced man, wearing .
long ulster and carrying his hat in bis
hand, entered. It was not hiS close
cropped hair and subservisnt hanEdog
manner alone which witnessed to the
late prison life and discipline; the tim.
ID, interval spaced movement OF the
lockstep bore its witness az we'll.
He cast but one sickly glance Of con
fusion at Burton Temple. Then he
turned to the woman who stood stone
still at one side Of the door staring at
him piteously.
"Anna, I've been pardoned." be said.
coming to her quickly. Il came here
at once. you see. want to speak with
you for q moment alone" His words
| were hurried, furtive, like the Jailbird
accustomed to sneaking whispers in
the prison line to his pal. lnvolun.
tarily the wife shivered.
"There's no need. Robert" she an
swered duly. 'There's nothing to con
ceal now; they know who l am"
YEARLY she turned to Temple. "The
pardon has been granted" said she.
Temple bowed. without speaking.
EYES," broke in Granger with nerv'
Gus haste. They've been working for
pardon for some time. you know.
You've seen 1t in the papers, haven't
you? You see, the public felt that l
was innocent, unjustly condemned.
So
He paused. seeing a slight. bescech.
ing gesture of his wife to Temple. The
big nnancier understood and, turning.
quit the room quietly. leaving man and
wife together. Mrs. Mason. whose
curiosity was quite as alive as her
conscience, stayed. 1t wouldn't do to
miss this meeting. Maybe it was her
duty to stay!
II want you to leave this house. to
come away with me at once. There's
no longer any need for proofs of vim
dication, you see." Granger said to
Anna. hastily kissing her.
She submitted. battling down the
shudder of disgust which the touch OF
his lips fetched her. After all, he was
her husband.
Eyes. I'll go with you" she said life
]essly. She wondered how she could
live with this thief all the rest Of her
days.
You see. Anna. every one knew !
was innocent; every one believed In
me- Now l must get away to some
place where l can rest. where no one
will ask me questions or harry me.
for I'm tired to death-to death. Oh"
still catching no responsive light on
the immobile face before him. 1T was
your belief in me, Anna. that gave me
courage all along"
She looked at him. shuddering.
'But l don't believe in you. Robert"
she said. II know"
Under the mans prison pallor rose q
sort of grayish fright.
"Know! Know what?" he asked
sharply.
II know that you are not innocent.
Robert"
At those words all the bravado went
out of Granger, as tiny spark sud.
denly goes out touched by block of
ice.
"Sh-h-h! What do you mean any
how? aen innocent: I am" He did
! not whisper now: he almost sbrieked.
even as be had in court that day when
the jury pronounced him guilty. And
now, as then. he fancied he saw over
bis head the cruel Roman symbol of
vengeance. the faces and the ax-saw.
too the calm women who spin tho
thread of life. crouchins on the shad-
owy frescoed wall Of the courtroom. q
naked skull at their feet.
Something seemed to grip his throat
He strangled an instant, then he
coughed and spat. He drew his hands
across his eyes and pulled himself to-
gether.
II am innocent. 1nnocentw be in:
sisted.
"Don't! Don't. Robert" cried Anna.
pity at the shameful sight of her per-
jured husband rising in her heart. Il
know the whole Of it. I've read the
letter you wrote to Cornelius Brady.
you see."
He shook as man seized suddenly
by some deadly disease. Then In