The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-12-15
THE CONFESSION
BY MAY CUNNINGHAM COBB.
Copyright. 1914. by w. G. Chapman

1T will cast gloom over our mar
rage, Ethel" said Harry Bentwich,
despondently. But that is part of
lawyers fate, and we must take the
bad with the good"
And there is no longer any hope OF
saving the poor MANI" inquired Ethel
sadly.
Not unless a miracle occurs" an
swered her lover.
How dreadful" sighed Ethel
Harry Bentwich and Ethel were to
be married two days later, and that
was the day fixed for Kemp's execu-
ton. Harry had fought with all his
might to save Kemp, but the circum-
stantial evidence was too strong. He
had been convicted, the court of ap-
peals had sustained the verdict, and
the governor had refused to inter-
vene.
Ethel had read the stories Of the
trial She knew that Kemp and Good
now were both longshoremen, men Of
low character and evil reputation
among the-comparatively decent class
of the neighborhood in which they re-
sided. Yet that was no reason why
Kemp's life should be snuffed out for
a crime he had not committed.
The marriage was to take place at
eight in the morning, and that was
the hour at which Kemps life was
to be taken. This so wrought upon
the girl that she resolved to have an
evening wedding the day before.
Harry readily accepted the change of
plans, and, since the marriage was to
be strictly a private one, Ethel con-
cluded her morning work at the Set
tlement on the day of her marriage.
Then she strolled along the region
of the docks, where she was well
known and safe from molestation.
AS she turned to ascend the street
leading to her residence, she per-
ceived a little crowd gathered at the
head of one of the wharves Hurry
ing up, she found that an accident
had happened. A man had been
struck down by load that fell from
crane, and fearfully mangled. 1t
was evident that he had only few
minutes to live, and, what made the
scene worse, he was In great pain and
fully conscious.
Ethel, kneeling at his side, attempt
ed in vain to stanch the blood that
flowed from his crushed body. He
looked up at her. He seemed to rec
ognize her.
You're the Settlement lady, amt
your" he gasped you was going to
be married to Mr.. Bentwich?"
EYES," answered Ethel. "But you
must not talk. The doctor will be
here In few minutes and you must
keep quiet and not exert yourself"
81 will talk the man burst out
with sudden vehemence. my names
Goodnow Mean anything to your"
he added savagely.
eff you are Goodnow you will tell
the truth about Kemp before you
de-" said Ethel quietly.
AYE, I'll tell you," answered the
man. Il know I'm going to croak,
and / don't want Kemp to be touched
off now that it won't do no good to
me. Kemp said he was with me all
the evening of the murder, but that's
a lie. He wasn't"
"He wasn't?" cried Ethel in despair.
mo But he thought he was" said
Goodnow. Wed been having a few
glasses together, and Kemp fell asleep
in the chair. Then / put on his hat
myself"
What did you do?" asked Ethel.
striving to retain her self-composure.
"Croaked him-the man what Kemp
is supposed to have croaked," grunt-
ed Goodnow savagely.
You killed him?''
eyes. He was trying to blackmail
the pair of us about job We pulled
off in Philadelphia last year"
He groaned and tried to continue,
but suddenly fearful paroxysm of
pain racked his body, and he drifted
into the last Inconsistencies.
Ethel looked round her in a daze,
trying to collect her thoughts. A by
stander touched her on the arm. She
looked up into the face of respect
able laboring man.
81 heard every word he said, Miss"
said the fellow. And we must get
that confession before the governor at
once"
Eyes" exclaimed Ethel, eagerly.
''You must come with me. There is
not minute to lose"
Half an hour later they sat side by
side aboard the train bound for the
capital And, just about the time
when Ethel should have been with
Harry before the minister, they were
being ushered into the governors Of
fee.
He heard Ethels evidence grave
ly enough, and that of her compan-
ion, but when they had finished speak
ing there was a faint smile upon his
face.
II shall grant respite pending
said. "But now, let me ask you
question. Did you not come here at
a considerable personal sacrifice this
afternoon?"
Yes. / was to have been mar
ried," answered Ethel "But Harry
will understand. Now may l ask you
how you know about this?"
20, it is my duty to know all sorts
Of things" the governor answered.
Come with me moment, If you will
ho on hind