The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-05-16

4
clear field to work in But now,
thank God. ! have come to my
senses.
Paul then related the cause of his
excitement when Harry entered the
room: As he slept in the large arm
chair by the window. he found him
self mingling with a crowd of peo-
in courtyard. In one corner stood
| the gallows, on which a condemned
murderer was about to pay the pen
atty with his life. In another cor
ner stood the crowd that had gath
cred there to witness the execution.
As the prisoner, whom Paul recog-
nized as Jack Nixon, was being led
from the Jail across the yard to the
gallows, Esther's mother, whom
Paul had known in life, appeared
before him in the guise of a beauti-
full angel. Taking one Of his hands
in hers. she cried, in a pleading.
pitiful tone:
Look! behold, an innocent man
goes to his death. He is innocent!
You alone can save him. Oh, why
don't you speak? Why don't you
speak? Think Of the anguish AMI
heartaches your silence is causing,
yet can never accomplish your pur-
pose. Oh, save him, save him!"
"And." concluded Paul, ''as she
knelt before me, imploring me to
speak the word that would save the
innocent one. something seemed to
rise in my throat and l was rendered
speechless. | woke up gasping for
breath. My God, if you knew what
| suffered in those few moments.
But. thank heaven, it was only a
dream, and there is yet time for
some restitution.
WELL" said Harry, God only
knows what might have been the re-
suit of your silence. had He not in
His love and business sent an angel
to free you from your evil thoughts.
However. it is not for me to judge
or condemn you. Under the in
f1uence of the limitless power of
love and the illogical reasoning Of
jealousy. it may be you are more to
be pitied than censured; that must
be left to a higher and wiser judge.
But tell me, how did you gain pos
session of that letter.
THAT, Mr.. Beaten, | will explain
on one condition, only: that it shall
never be mentioned again"
Harry agreed to the condition and
Paul continued. Mrs. Smell, know
my love for Esther and favoring my
suit. secured the letter for me and |
brought it here and burned it"
1t was not difficult the next morn
ing to convince Mr.. Boyd and the
Judge of the truth of Paul's con-
fession and secure their recommend
ations for Jacks pardon. In less
than two hours all the necessary
proceedings were gone through and
Mr.. Roberts was ready to present
the case to the Board of Pardons.
which body, after but a few minutes
deliberation, authorized the uncon-
ditional pardon of Jack Nixon.
That evening Harry, Jack and
Esther were seated in the parlor and
Harry was relating the story of his
search for his wife. could | but
find her." he finished, "then indeed
would my happiness be complete. "
T AS he finished speaking, Esther's
maid, or companion, rather, who
had returned that morning from a
weeks visit with a sick friend in
White Bear, was about to enter and
make known her return, whenss a
voice from within stayed her. The
next instant she rushed into the
room to where Harry stood admir-
ing the painting of Esther's mother,
and throwing her arms about him,
she cried:
Harry! my husband, my hus-
band!"
Helen! my wife, my love! Thank
God | have found you at last"
Placing his arm about Esther,
Jack drew her to him and said:
Look, sweetheart, is that not ft-
ting close for this day of happiness?"
But Esther was too happy to
speak, and only answered with her