Kansas University Weekly.
271
was twenty-five years ago that I was married, and for two years I lived in heaven itself. Then in a day all was changed. I met a fellow leaving my house. It was not the first time. In a moment the madness which I had striven to control overpowered me. I sprang upon him; I struck him down and killed him.
Then came the trial and I was sentenced to prison for life. In a moment of madness at the thought of staying there so many years I killed the jailor and escaped. I crossed the ocean; and there I have wandered and labored all these years, and become rich. But some time ago I began to want to come back; I came, and I am going to die tomorrow. You are the only friend I have in this whole land, and so I sent for you. You must take what money I have and the jewels. Then you must go to Germany and to Bixen. Yes to Bixen that I've told you so much about." He was leaning forward with his head buried in his hands. Now he arose and took from his couch a letter. He gave it to Henry and then placed his hands on the young man's shoulders and looked long into his face.
"Now you must go away, you must go away tonight. You must go and be happy. Goodbye" He stooped and kissed him.
Henry's eyes were filled with tears. He threw his arms about his friend and begged to be allowed to stay with him through it all.
A look of great tenderness came into the face of the prisoner, and he kissed the boy again. Then he led him to the door which the jailor was holding open. "Goodbye" were his last words and then the massive iron door clanged shut and Henry passed through the corridor and out into the night, receiving at the door a package which the jailor said contained the property of Mr. Wagner.
He hastened to the depot for he felt that he must escape from this terrible place. After he was far away on his journey home, and as he was recalling for the hundredth time the incidents of that last interview he thought of the envelope which he had received in the cell. He took it from his pocket and broke the seal.
There was another sealed envelope within, and on it were these words: "To be opened by Henry Rockman in the Founder's Hall of Bixen University." This seemed to be but another expression of Wagner's oft repeated hope that Henry would go to that university, and the strangeness of it affected him little, especially as he could see through the car window where the Eastern sky was brightening by the rising sun, and he shuddered as he thought of the tragedy which that rising sun was witnessing in the Wayden jail-yard.
At last he reached home. How long it seemed since he had left it a week before!
The month which followed was spent by Henry in disposing of his old uncle's property, and preparing for his journey abroad.
- * * * * * * *
It was a clear cold day in autumn when Henry arrived at the little village of Bixen in the south range of the great Steinwey mountains. The town lay at the foot of three towering snow capped peaks, and looked over a charming valley to a broad river, winding down from the snow-springs above to mingle with the mighty Rhine.
Henry viewed the beautiful scene with the keenest delight, and then his eye sought out the cluster of large buildings on the hillside which he had no difficulty in recognizing as those of Bixen University. He alighted from the coach at the door of the little inn; but he waited only to see his baggage safely deposited in the small dining room and then set out for the university.
Henry had endeavored during his journey to put from his mind all thoughts of the many unpleasant occurrences of the last few months, but he had never been able to do so.
There was always the feeling that something remained unexplained, and, as he now climbed the steep ascent, a strange foreboding took possession of his mind. He could not but feel that the letter which he bore and was soon to open would contain something of vital interest to him, and yet perhaps it was only a last word of farewell from his benefactor.
He entered the grounds and passed several