The Red Cloud chief., 1913-01-16
TURN OF THE PAGE
Pardoned Convict Breaks His
Good Resolutions, but Is
Saved by Dying Woman.
BY FRANK F'ilSON.

warder cheerfully, clapping an enorn-
Gus hand upon the young mans shoul.
der. The chief wants to say good
bye to you"
The convict stepped out of his cell
and followed the head warder obed-
iently. Three years of discipline had
taught him TO ask no questions, TO
demand no reasons. He hardly dared
tn hope that the pardon board had
granted his petition
'Tention' Eyes 'front.'" said the
head warder mechanically, and the
convict mechanically obeyed. But the
took the convicts in hearty clasp.
The board of pardons has granted
you your freedom. Graves he said.
II strongly recommended 1t at the
last monthly meeting. I know that
you will run straight in future. II you
shouldn I, remember that the dishonor
and shame will be mine. and IL will
be just sc much harder for the rest OF
us. Here letter from your mother
in Mapleton," he added. handing the
missive to the prisoner.
Graves read II and the governor
watched him curiously. The young
fellow had impressed him favorably
ever since he had entered the peniten.
tiary three years before to serve first
sentence for forgery. He had been
model prisoner: but he seemed curl.
ously hard. Even now he seemed
unaffected either by the letter or by
his release. He folded thel missive
and put 1t In the handkerchief pocket
OF his serge tunic.
he answered.
Good answered the governor.
And my advice to you is. go home to
your mother. You have about thirty.
seven dollars coming to you. Go
home. face the world In your home
town. be man and begin your life
anew. You will find people kinder
than you imagine. Good morning"
He grasped the prisoners hand
again and dismissed him. Graves
went out. Subdued and deferential
though he seemed. he remained total.
ly unmoved. The governor shook his
head as he watched him pass through
the doorway.
AS matter Of fact. Philip Graves
was deeply moved, but for all that he
had not the least intention of return.
ing home. During his period OF i'm.
prisonment he had been thoroughly
initiated into the possibilities of
crime by his fellow convicts He
woul1 have liked to re-establish him.
self In the favor of his fellow citizens.
but the idea seemed laughab,e. His
old mother In Mapleton was doubtless
able to exist without him; his sisters
care Of her He took the train to the
capital and spent his ,ioney in two
days of riotous living.
The second evening found him pen.
niless. 1t was cold and dismally wet,
and the long tramp through the dismal
suburbs had not raised his spirits. He
sat down on the sidewalk and buried
his head in his hands. That was the
first time he had ever seriously consid.
cred the future
"Forging's a NUTS game" one OF
the other prisoners had told him soon
after he was brought to the Jail.
Take my tip. lad, cracking a cribs
the only thing worth while. Why. all
you've got to do Is to walk in after
the lights are out, take your pick. and
walk out again. But say. don't carry
a gun, for that don't pay. Just trust
to your legs II you have to get away
quick"
A middle.aged man In well.made
suit, and bearing all the marks OF
prosperity, hurried by. not casting a
glance at the ex-convict at his feet.
Graves rose and followed him. At the
end Of the street was long country
lane. with finely-built, scattered houses
lining 1t, each in its garden The man
turned into one and let himself into
the home with key. Graves watched
him. Then he felt in his pockets. At
the bottom Of one. hitherto overlooked
by him. was dime. Graves knew
where he could get all the whisky he
wanted for dime-if he chose the
time when the bartender was not
looking his way, He went there.
Take your fill. boy" said the bar.
tender good-naturedly, looking round
just at the least appropriate time. II
guess you need 1t on night like this.
Graves tossed of the fiery LIQUID,
set down the glass. and went out.
He walked the streets until his head
swan from the liquor. 1t was very
dark and the rain fell steadily. Graves
was wet to the skin. He walked an
immeasurable time. until at last, look. |
ing up, he saw the house into which |
the prosperous man had entered.
A flame OF anger burned in his |
heart, hotter than the fire in his brains.
Good resolutions! What were they
for such as he? They were for the
rich, for those who could afford to |
keep the laws! He was no fool to be |
bound by such a code.
He crept up the garden. felt lower
window. and found that he could raise