Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1915-01-07
TIE CONFESSION
sy NAV cunNlnonAm coss.


IL VIII cast gloom over our mar
riage, Ethel" said Harry Bentwich
despondently. "But that In part OF q
lawyers fate. and we must take the
bad with the good
And there Is no longer any hope OF
saving the poor man?" inquired Ethel
sadly.
Not unless a miracle occurs" an,
swered her lover
How dreadiul." sighed Ethel.
Harry Bentwich and Ethel were "a
De married two days later. and that
was the day fixed for kemp's execu.
ton. Harry had fought with all HIS
might 10 save Kemp, but the circum.
stantiai evidence was too strong. He
had been convicted, the court Of ap.
peais 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 ~evii reputation
among the comparatively decent class
Of the ueighborhood In which they re-
sided. Yet that was no reason why
Kemp's life should be snuffed out for
o crime he had not committed,
The marriage was to take place at
eight In the morning, and that was
the hour at which Kemp's life was
to be taken. This so wrought upon
the girl that she resolved to have an
evening wedding tho day before.
Harry readily accepted the change OF
plans, and, since the marriage was to
be strictly a private one. Ethel con-
ciuded 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 moiestation.
AS she turned TO ascend the street
leading to her residence, she per.
ceived 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 n load that fell from
a crane, and fearfully mangied. It
was evident that he had only q 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. seemed to rec
ognize her. ~
You're the Sc sment lady, amt
your" he gasped. You was going to
be married to Mr. Bentwich?"
'Yes," answered Ethel. But you
must not talk. The doctor will be
here in few minutes and you must
keep quiet and not exert yourself"
Il will talk" the man burst out
with sudden vehemence. My names
Goodnow. Mean anything to your"
he added savagely.
'If you are Goodnow you will tell
the truth about Kemp before you
de-" said Ethel quietly.
AYE, I'll tell you," answered the
man. II know I'm going TO croak.
and don't want Kemp to be touched
OF now that IL won't do no good to
me. Kemp said he was with me all
the evening OF the murder, but that's
lie. He wasn't"
''He wasn't?" cried Ethel In despair.
mo. But he thought he was." said
Goodnow. Wed been having q few
glasses together, and Kemp fell asleep
in the chair. Then put on his hat
and overcoat and went and done it
myself"
What did you do?" asked Ethel.
striving 10 retain her self-composure.
"Croaked him-the man what Kemp
Is supposed to have croaked." grunt-
ed Gocdnow savagely.
"You killed him."
"Yes. He was trying to blackmail
the pair of US about a Job We pulled
of in Philadelphia last year."
He groaned and tried to continue.
but suddenly q fearful paroxysm of
pain racked his body. and he drifted
into the last inconsistencies.
Ethel looked round her in q dare.
trying 10 collect her thoughts. A by
stander touched her on the arm. She
looked up into the face OF n 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"
"Yes," exclaimed Ethel, eagerly.
You must come with me. There IL
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 E'thel's evidence grave
ly enough, and that OF her compan-
ion. but when they had finished speak
Ing there was faint smile upon his
face.
Il shall grant a respite pending a
fun examination OF this matter" he
said. but now, let me ask you
question. Did you not come here at
4 considerable personal sacrifice this
Yes. was to have been mar
ried," answered Ethel. "But Harry
win understand. Now may ask you
how you knovs about this?"
20, It Is my duty TO know all sorts
Of things" the governor answered.
Come with me a moment, n you will
be 30 kind"
He led the girl into a private room
behind his Office. and there, seated at
: table. writing. was-Harryl And In
. moment they were In each others
arms.