The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-04-20
In Honor
Bound
By
GEORGE ELMER COBB
copyright, 1917. by w. G. Chapman.)

of one last look at a woman's face |
This is my last opportunity. Don't
deny me-"
IF you should be tempted, Rowland,
once beyond restraint
Nothing can tempt me from honor"
declared Harvey Rowland yehemently. j
"Then go. / trust you, but if you
should fail to return, remember every
man In the honor squad will suffer be-
cause Of your act, and privileges with
drawn. Besides that, happen to know
that the pardon board is considering
your case. 1t would be pity to spoil
all your prospects,"
1t was q strange situation. Harvey
Rowland was convict No. 1878. He did
not look it, for he was an innocent
man and that consciousness kept at
bay the prison faint and the prison
decentralization. He had served two
years of his ten years sentence. His
record as prisoner had attracted the
favorable attention of the warden and
he had been made a member of the
honor squad.
1t seemed like new life to be
dressed in civilian attire, free from
surveillance trusted, with full free
dom within his power if he was willing
to risk recapture. But of that Rowland
thought little. 1t was now, however,
when the squad of some thirty men I'M
der charge of Trusty John Dore was
on its way to a road-making job fifty
miles across country, that, as they
camped two miles from a town called
Ellisville, a devouring longing for a
few hours freedom assailed him.
Briefly, he wished to steal into the
town and get stolen glimpse of the
woman he had once loved, whom he
loved now, whom he would continue to
love to his dying day. She was Eunice
Landon. From the day of his arrest
he had not seen her nor heard a word
from her. They were all but engaged
when, like an obliterating avalanche
there overcame all his hopes, prospects
and ambitions the dreadful charge of
crime.
1t was not at Ellisville that he had
known Eunice Landon, but at the pala-
tial city home of the Landons. From
a stray newspaper item, in the gloom
of his prison cell a week previous he
had read of the summering of the Ian
dons at Ellisville.
60" said his staunch friend, the
trusty. Il pity you, l hope for you,
but 1 tremble for YOU
II will keep my word of honor!" de-
clared Rowland staunchly. 81 will re-
turn before midnight. And / will have
seen her Then 1 will go back to the
dull old grind, content"
AS he reached the purlieus of the
town Rowland observed that the place
was in gala attire. The center of the
town was alive with lights, decorations,
activity. People arrayed in mask and
costume were flocking to the great cen
trail square. A street carnivei was on.
Rowland skunk from street to street.
Finally his wish to conceal his identity
was gratified. A half-drunken parader
in reckless abandonment flung aside
the half mask and fanciful tinsel cape
he wore. Rowland donned these.
Now, mixing with the throngs, he
was holder and felt more secure. He
did not know where the Landons lived
but he planned to make inquiries that
would lead to that discovery. AS he
approached the public square he came
to halt with a shock. An automobile
had drawn up to the curb in a side
street. 1t contained an old man, the
chauffeur and a girl. At her Rowland
stared, GREATNESS, ecstatic.
1t was Eunicei 1t was the object OF
the undying love he had cherished al
these years. Her father spoke to hel
eli 70 iDir
of the gay square. Her face was set
cheerless. She shook her head, settlec
herself back in her seat and her father
and the chauffeur mingled with the
throngs and were lost to view.
Eunice Landon gazed with lack-lus
ter eyes at the bubbling-over living
panorama. 1t did not interest her. Onl,
her own secret thoughts kept her com
pany. She started as a hand touched
her arm. She strangely regarded {
man who had approached the machine
half-masked, looking UP at her. Their
Rowland lifted aside the mask which
he wore.
She was not startled, she was no
agitated. Over that beautiful face there
spread joyous smile, glad, welcoming
ineffable. She put out both her Jew
eled hands to clasp his own, with thu
fervent thrilling words:
"Oh, at last-I knew you woul'
come. My Lowell My lover
The man fairly staggered. She di'
not release his hands. He stammere'
forth:
'You do not know-that l am still
convict?"
''You are my love, my own true love
that is all | know and the moment i
rapturous !" she said simply. "A con
Wet? Yes, but-innocentI'
"You believe"
81 know" she declared. 1.-THE mai
you suffered for, my unworthy relative
confessed to me, dying, and died ere
could secure witness to his comics