Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1915-03-05

him lose courage, Haynes had pleaded
to be transferred to the shoe shop
again, from which there was desper
ate hope Of obtaining access to the
outer yard. But the prison doctor
looked him over on the occasion OF
his last visit and noted the wasted
body, the prison pallor and the cough
which he had acquired from working
among particles of steel.
"That man needs fresh air." he. said.
LET him accompany the gangs at
work on the new prison."
The edict was given out on Friday
morning. That afternoon Haynes set
about taking the machine to pieces.
By the time the shop was closed he
had reduced it to it's primitive condi-
the men was more or less perfunctory
and none Of the guards suspected that
pete Timmons" medtated escaping,
for in spite of his evil record he had
always proved himself to be a mode
prisoner. On the Saturday morning
Haynes contrived to stow away the re
mainder OF the machine.
That afternoon, while he worked
feverishly within his cell, Ricardo
came merrily past, stopped and looker
in. Haynes glanced up at him an,
stared in amazement. The man was
respondent in a new suit Of blue
serge; in his pockets were silver coins
which he was jingling.
"Good-by, old friend" Ricardo called
through the bars. 81 go out under the
new law today instead of Wednesday.
I go to find your wife. See, have let
tiers from her all the time" he con-
tinued, patting his breast pocket. MAY
be you did not know. Yes, and then
1 find your daughter, la bella Eleanora.
Maybe 1 like her better than your
wife, and maybe not so well-time will
show. We meet again, in nine years,
is it not?" he ended refectively. He
stretched out his hand warily. Good
by, old friend. Maybe you see me Mon
day, maybe not"
On Monday, Haynes carried few
fragments Of his machine out of the
prison, riding in the contractors cart,
beside which trudged the convicts and
their guards. The breath Of the fresh
air, the blue sky, the freedom Of the
waste country, stunned him; at first
he could not think.
Stretched out upon the rocks among
the toiling men he ruminated bitterly.
His hatred for Ricardo now almost
transcribed his longing for freedom.
A shadow fell across him. He
looked up. Ricardo stood near in his
new, suit, juggling his money.
Good morning, dear friend" he
murmured, warily keeping out Of the
way of Haynes anticipated reach. 81
came to tell you that l seen your
daughter. She mighty fine girl, l tell
you Pete Soon, maybe, We go to Italy
together
Goaded by the wretchs lying words,
Haynes struck at him wildly with his
crutch. Ricardo merely leaDed nirbly
aside and Knocked bis impotent victim.
A guard came running up.
Hey! Beat it," he shouted, level
ing his rifle. Beat it or I'll fill you
with lead God help me, I'll do that, il
I catch you talking to my men again."
Ricardo strobe sullenly away, paus-
ing only to wave his hand to his
enemy.
BY Friday Haynes had set up his me-.
chine in the hollows of the boulders
His heart was burning in his breast:
lie scarcely slept moment thinkin,
of Ricardo and of the need of wringile
the truth from his lying. lips. Twice
since that Monday he had seen him in
the distance, now boGbing up with a
hooking salutation among the rocks
now waving to hin from hiding