Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-03-30
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Sn0ulQ Ia1l 10 return, TeluelnDer 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 a 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 taint and the prison
decentralization. He had served two
years of his ten years sentence. His
record as a 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 un-
der charge of Trusty John Dore was
on it's way to a road-making job fifty
miles across country, that, as they
capped two miles from 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
md anbitiana the dreadful ,charysfoi
Ives acf at EilisvilIe that h had
known Euhice Landon, but at the espala'
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.
"Go," said his staunch friend, the
trusty. II pity you, hope for you
but / tremble for you"
II will keep my word Of honor ~ de
clared Rowland staunchly. II will re
turn before midnight. And / will have
seen her! Then 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 ant
costume were flocking to the great cen
trail square. A street carnival was on
Rowland skunk from street to street
Finally his wish to conceal his identit,
was gratified. A half-drunken paradel
in reckless abandonment flung asid'
the half mask and fancifm tinsel cap
he wore. Rowland donned these.
Now, mixing with the throngs, h
was bolder and felt more secure. HI
did not know where the LandOns lived
but he planned to make inquiries tina
would lead to that discovery. As h
approached the public square he camp
to halt with shock. An AUTOMOBILE
had drawn up to the curb In a sid
street. 1t contained an old man, tn
chauffeur and a girl. At her Rowlan'
stared, breathless, ecstatic.
1t was EuniceI It was the object o
the undying love he had cherished al
these years. Her father spoke to he
as II asking her to join him in a tou
of the gay square. Her face was sci
| cheerless. She shook her head, settle
herself back in her seat and her fathe
and the chauffeur mingled with tn
throngs and were lost to view.
Eqnice Landon gazed with lack-lus
ter eyes at the bubbling-over livin
panorama. 1t did not interest her. Onl
her own secret thoughts kept her CON
pany. She started as hand touche
her arm. She strangely regarded
man who had approached the machine
half-masked, looking upsat her. The
Rowland lifted aside the mask whic
he wore.
/ Sue was uOt chO Woo no
agitated. Over that beautiful face ther
spread joyous smile, glad, welcoming
ineffable. She put out both her jew
eled hands to clasp his own, with th
tervent thrilling words:
"Oh, at last-I knew you woul
come. My Lowell Ny lover"
The man fairly staggered. She di
not release his hands. He stammere
forth:
"You do not know-that am still
.. convictT
"You are my love. my own true low
that Is all I know and the moment
.. rapturous ~ she said simply. "A col
victf Yes, but-innocenti"
you believe
II know" she declared. The ma
vou suffered for, my unworthy relativ'
confessed to me. dying. and died ere
eould secure q witness to his confe'
don. And then my fAthsr-I promise