The Press., 1915-08-11

He heated water on the oil stove. found Il laml, and lighted 1t and held it. together with the torch. while the doctor skillfully washed and dressed the wound. When 1t was bound and pillow placed under the injured mans back the doctor administered a strong stimulunt and. presently Will liam Gedney opened his wild. dark eyes and searched the physicians countenance.
 "Edmondsr' he gasped You? How did you come here?"
 "A telephone message" said the doc tor quickly. And you William. you have escaped?"
 Gedney nodded wedrily. ''Sit down. and I will tell you An." he said
 His story was brief and to the point He declared that/he had been innocent of the crime chsrged against him Al though there lad been a fight and a had not held the weapon. His com panions hsd scattered, leaving him with the body of Tom Collins-to be the scapegoat.
 Circulnstantial evidence was against him. and to save his client Gedney's lawyer had pleaded self defense: hence the life sentence.
 "I've always intended to esrape,' muttered Gedney. ''and at last came the opportunity. l grasped 1t. My first thought was to come home here. 1 arrived this evening at dusk. The place was home to me. although there remained none of my dear ones to welcome me. the black sheep of the family Doctor, may have been wild and foolish. but my hands are innocent of blood
 highland at last reached here. gain ed an entrance through the pantry win dow and went up to my mothers room. 1-I was going to pray there and ask their forgiyeness-you understand" nc ended brokenly
 ''I had reached the upper hall when 1 met man; it was Tom Collins brother! He was carrying a candle. and he looked old and ragged and un. kempt When he saw me he gave chase. screa ming madly that he would kill me. 1 was unarmed, and 1 was weak from lack of food. He pursued me up the attic stairs to this room. and there he stabbed me. leaving me for dead on the floor It was a welcome sound indeed to hear your ring at the door! l suppose l must go back to prison. but l think have solved the mystery. Jim Collins killed his broth CT. That is why he has hidden away here. a prey to his own guilty con science. He must have lived Il hermit life for several years. A fellow pris- oner told me that Jim had disappear ed from his usual haunts. hope-l pray that he has left confession of some kind that will clear my name!'
 Leaving Josiah in care of the sick man. Dr. Edmonds went back to his horse and drove rapidly in the direc- tion of the railroad station. He sus pected that the fleeing Collins had in moment of contrition telephoned from some pay station to the doctors house so that Gcdncy's wound might be at tended to
 Dr. Ednonds found q strange situa tion at the little railroad station.
 A strange man had found shelter there during the thunderstorm. He was a ragged looking tramp He had entered the wire cage where the pub lie telephone was placed and had used the telephone. AS he finished speak ing there came q cracking hiss. and bolt of lightning ruined the instru ment and sent the man senseless to the floor
 The station agent had vainly tried to reach Dr. Edmonds. and his appear ance now was taken as a matter of fact.
 There was little he could do for Jim Collins save to take his dying state ment and confession that he was his brothers murderer. He had heard that the Gedney place was deserted and he resolved to conceal himself there with his gnawing remorse Rv night he stole out and bought food and tobacco. tramping many miles to the next village,
 When the sun rose over the rain swept mountains Jim Collins breathed his last
 Dr. Edmonds went back to the man in the Gedney house with freedom in his hands.
 William Gedney. exonerated of the charge. took possession of his proper ty and in the course of time married Children play around the pleasant lawns. for the pine grove has been cut down. and sunshine enters every nook and cranny of the old house and grounds
 But nothing can give back to Vii liam Gedney the lost years spent be hind prison bars.