Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-07-17

remember, don't you?-that 1 would never
speak about it as long I lived. But am
dying now and must tell you everything that
happened
Il was frightened, for she had never talked
that way before, but she held my hand SO
tightly was afraid to try to get away. I
told her she ought to 60 to sleep, that she
would feel better in the morning.
mo, no, Lucien, she said. I tell you I
am dying. am happy. too, for my going will
make room for you back in the world. When
you hear what I have to say you'll want to
come back-for there is puch to live for.
"'You must know why I married Ed VAIN
wright. 1t wasn't your fault it mne-a
silly lack of confidence in you.
Don't you remember the night we walked
out in the country? The moon shining
then just like it is tonight 1t was the night
before you graduated and 1 was getting ready
to go home for the Summer You held me SO
tightly when you told me you were going with
a mining expedition into Canada. We would
be married in the Fall, you said
"'Oh, can feel your arms yet and your
kisses still burn on my lips.
II believed in you then-just like do now
1t wasn't until later-after 1 got home-that 1
began to worry. Father died and you wouldn't
my letters. 1 grew afrad-afraid of
waggng tongues and fingers of scorn. thought
they would brand me with scarlet letter and
that our baby would come into the world name-
less and accurSed
"I went to the post Office every day. hoping
for letter from you. 1 know now that you
didn't get mine, you so far away.
~ was desperate; I had to do something
Then Ed asked me TO marry him and finally,
when I could hold out no longer I consented
But Lucien-I never loved him. have never
loved any one but you. Won't you forgive me
for ever doubling you? 1t will be all right now.
won't it, dear? For am leaving you part of
me.
"'WHEN you returned s it W., was too late,
came out to the house? OF course, you dol
can see ii by the look in your eyes. You told
that had to divorce Ed so We could mar
ry. was happy then-for few minutes-un-
til Ed came in.
"I saw he was angry the minute he met you.
And was ashamed for him. You stood there.
manly and straightforward, and told him
that you had to have me- 1t all seems as
though it was only last night. Maybe it was;
maybe you haven't been away from me all these
oh. to
that awful gun that made me forget. When Ed
pulled that out Of his pocket I knew he had
murder in his heart. He meant to kill you.
That is why leaped on him. Lucien. didn't
mean to kill him; only wanted to save you.
Don't you remember? He slipped and fell,
pulling me down with him, and that gun went
off
They'll never believe US" you said, "and
our baby will be born in prison. But there's
way out"
II you yet you walked over to tho
telephone and called the marshal 1t wasn't
until then that realized what you meant to do.
Don't you remember how flew into your arms
and told you that wuold take the blame
that you must not share my guilt? Then You
pulled me down on my knees and we knelt
there in the presence of death.
Promise me-" you said that you will never.
so long you live, tell what happened. It must
be 50 for the sake of the one to come"
~ don't know what happened after thx%y
Lucien- something snapped inside me. But to-
night see it all clearly.
Don't you remember Lucien am hap
py. You have some one to bring you back into
the world. I named him John because once
you said you wished that had been your name.
"Lucien! Look at me once more! I an
The boy paused moment and added IN a
low voice:
LAS she said that she died felt her hand
drop out of mine
Deep silence pervaded the room while the
four men searched each other with question
ing looks.
Sounds like the rawlings of a crazy woman
to me-" Fulton finally offered.
She was not crazy, SIR" came stoutly from
the boy. MY mother telling the truth"
Somehow" began Denton, Il think there is
a lot to that story
I'VE can't overrun the decision of courts on
unsupported deathbed confessions" cut in Ful-
ton.
Il quite agree with you Morton observed
judiciously 1T must be sustantiated to bear
weight with this board. I take it, however"
he added, glancing around, that if it is cor
rotorated you would have no hesitancy in
granting complete pardon?'
Three men nodded their heads gravely
CAL Spannuth," the chairman directed the
clerk. -.