The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-12-24

! against bankers that could not get
justice Even my political friends dare
not support me. It Is an unexpected
favor that ann allowed to be with You
| for few days"
his wife listened with fearless eyes.
She controlled herself with an effort.
John, the childrenE" she whispered.
| '@They must not know. Let them have
one more happy Christmas. They have
been praying Tor you to come home
Let us smile and be happy with them
for a few days. Let as forget the
dread future"
Once during the evening she spoke OF
pardon which might be asked OF the
governor.
1T is vain hope, dear" her husband
said. I'VE will not waste ourselves on
it," And he relapsed into thoughtful
silence.
But for all the shadow that hung
over the home there was a Christmas
tree, and the Anstruther babies were
happy. Their convict father played
the role Of Santa Claus. Their mother
laughed and sang. though now and
then her v0ice broke and her eyes were
wet with tears A few neighbors call
ed full OF sympathy and yet timid
about showing It All the little town
felt that II was best to let the stricken
family enjoy their Christmas cheer
without intrusion even on the part of
those who loved and respected them.
When the children, surfeited with
Aas~ r-@%
precious teys. were asleep once more
the mother was busy in her kitchen
with her preparations for the grand
Christmas dinner Of the morrow-per.
haps the lat bountiful meal her chill
dren would have through all the dark
years to come
John Anstruther went 10 his room TO
look over his papers. In the drawer
he suddenly found something that
made his heart leap.
It was a revolver. He took the shin
ing, cruel thing In his hands. and
sort OF madness came over him. Here
was his opportunity. Here was escape
from the stripes. the dark cell, the ig-
nominy of prison life. Here was pro-
vision for Grace and his babes. His
$4,000 life insurance still was in force, |
and he knew well that it was nonfor-
feitable even in case Of suicide. A |
sudden sharp shock and it would be |
over. Even for her it would be better |
than the FIVE years of living death
He pressed the cold muzzle to his |
forehead. His finger was on the trig- |
ger. He could hear Grace singing sad |
ly, with pathetic attempt to be gay
in the kitchen
Coward"
The warning voice came out of the
void, like the voice of the angel who
spoke to Abraham on the mountain
top. Perhaps it was only the cry of his
own consciousness, made audible by
his imagination. But he heard it dis
tinctiy. A revulsion of feeling swept
over him
ooh. not that. not that, thank God"
he murmured.
He put the weapon back in the draw
er and went out into the kitchen.
where Grace was dressing the Christ
mas turkey.
Five years will soon pass" he said
land there will be 8 gem
erous allowance for good conduct
viii have some sort OF bookkeeping TO
do. and the life win be bearable, no
doubt Let US meet the future bravely.
lear heart God viii NOT fail to send
is comfort And you-you dear, brave
little woman-you win get along some
low. We have friends yet, thank
heaven
1t was the first time he had ventured
o speak of the life in prison. and she ,
vas comforted to know that he took