One More Sunrise (41 page)

Doke’s eyes lit up. “Hey, that’s great!”

“Let’s go!” said John.

Before riding out of Fort Collins, they stopped at the Western Union office so both Dane and John could send telegrams.

Dane sent a wire to Dr. Robert Fraser in Central City, advising him that Tharyn was all right and on her way to Denver, and that he would be arriving home within three or four days. He also sent a wire to Tharyn in care of her parents, explaining that Chief Brockman and his deputies had arrested the gang at the hideout, and the deputies were escorting them back to the prison. He explained that he and the chief tracked her and Kathryn to the Darby cabin, and that Sheriff Hoffman explained that he had put both of them on the train to Denver this morning. Dane also wrote
that he and the chief had to go to Rawlins, but they would be in Denver within two or three days. Dane added in the telegram that he loved her more than ever, and the wedding would be very soon.

John also wired Breanna and his office, explaining briefly about the capture of the gang, Tharyn being safely on her way to Denver, and he would be home soon.

While they were riding toward Rawlins, Doke said, “Dr. Logan, if Chief Brockman can get me permission, will you let me go to the prison with you so I can see Tag too?”

“Sure. I’d be glad to have you with me.”

John then told Doke of a good church in Fort Collins he should go to and gave him the pastor’s name. Doke said, “I most certainly will do that, sir.”

The next day, after spending the night in Rawlins’s only hotel, the three men went to the courthouse, and after a forty-five minute wait, were ushered into Judge George Yeager’s office.

The judge told them that Tag Moran was scheduled to be hanged at sunrise the next morning, then sat quietly and listened as Chief Brockman told him Doke Veatch’s story.

When Yeager had heard about Doke’s having planted the Derringer at the prison’s stockade fence, which resulted in the Tag Moran gang’s escape, then heard Doke humbly ask for clemency, admitting how wrong he had been, he thought on it for a long moment.

Before the judge opened his mouth to comment, John Brockman spoke a good word for Doke.

Yeager then said, “Mr. Veatch, it tells me a lot about your character, that you owned up to your wrongdoing to Chief Brockman when you didn’t have to. No one would have ever known. I’m going to mark your admission to this crime as forgiven. It will be sealed and locked away. However, should you ever
commit another crime, this confession can be brought up and used against you. Do I make myself clear?”

“Oh yes, sir—I mean—your honor, sir. I just got saved a few days ago. I’m a born-again child of God. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll never disobey the law again.”

Yeager smiled. “Well, what do you know? I’m a born-again Christian myself, son. Tell you what, I’ll say as the Lord Jesus did to that repentant woman in John 8 who was taken in adultery: ‘Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.’ ”

While John and Dane looked on, Doke bowed his head for a moment, then looked up at the judge, a smile of deep gratitude on his face. Rising from his chair, Doke extended his hand and grasped the hand of the judge. “Thank you, your honor, from the bottom of this saved sinner’s heart.”

The three men headed immediately for the prison, and based on Chief Brockman’s request, Doke was given permission by Warden Harold Quinn to go into a private room with Dr. Dane Logan to talk to Tag.

John Brockman waited in the warden’s office.

In his cell, Tag Moran was pacing the floor, terrified of dying and going to hell. He thought of the sermons he had heard that evangelist preach so many years ago, but could not recall what he had to do to be saved.

Wringing his hands as he paced, he shook his head. “Even if I
could
remember, what good would it do? As wicked as I’ve been, God wouldn’t forgive me anyhow. I’m doomed. There’s no hope for me. I—”

“Moran,” came the voice of a guard at the barred door, “you’ve got visitors.”

Tag stopped pacing, turned, and looked at him. “Visitors?”

“That’s right.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know them, but you do.” He inserted the key into the lock. “Let’s go.”

The guard ushered Tag down the corridor to a small, private room and opened the door. Tag was shocked to see Dr. Dane Logan and Doke Veatch already seated at a table in the room. As he stepped through the door, the guard said, “Since you’re gonna hang tomorrow, I’ll give you an hour, Moran.”

The door closed and a key turned in the lock.

As Tag sat on the third chair at the table, he noted that Dr. Logan had a Bible. Tag ran his gaze between the two men. “I—I’m, well I’m quite shocked to see you.”

Dr. Dane smiled. “We thought you might be.”

Tag blinked. “I’m glad you’re both here because I can make my apologies to you before I die.”

Dane and Doke looked at each other, both knowing what the other was thinking:
Tag is not his old self
.

While they listened, Tag told Doke he understood why he led the lawmen to the hideout, and that he did the right thing. He was only trying to save Tharyn’s life.

Doke nodded. “I’m glad you understand, Tag.”

Moran then set his gaze on the physician and apologized for the accusations he had made about his letting Darryl and Gib die because they were outlaws. “I was wrong, Doctor. I’m asking your forgiveness.”

“You’re forgiven, Tag,” said Dane.

Tag cleared his throat. “And … uh … Doctor, I’m sorry for abducting your bride. Did—did you find her?”

“No, but she and Kathryn made it to Fort Collins. The sheriff told us he put them on a train to Denver.”

“Oh. Well, I’m glad.” Tag shook his head. “I’ve been so wicked! I’m so sorry that I killed those people when we were robbing the banks.”

“We’re both glad to hear that you’re sorry, Tag,” said Doke.

Moran wiped tears from the corners of his eyes and looked at the Bible that lay on the table in front of Dane. He raised his eyes to the doctor. “I’m scared, Doctor. I’m scared of dying tomorrow morning and going to hell. I haven’t been in church much in my life, but when I was young, someone took me to a revival meeting. I heard an evangelist preach about dying in your sins and going to hell. They took me to two services in that revival meeting, and the evangelist preached about hell both nights. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately.”

“I can see why,” said Dr. Dane.

Doke leaned close. “Tag, let me tell you a story.”

Tag nodded. “All right.”

Doke told him of Dr. Dane Logan leading him to the Lord and the peace he now had in his heart.

Tag was looking at him dumbfounded.

Doke grinned. “It’s true, Tag. And because I am still your friend, I want you to be saved. If you will listen, Dr. Logan will show you from the Bible how to be saved, miss hell, and go to heaven.”

Tag said eagerly, “Yes, I will listen!” His brow furrowed. “But—”

“But what?” asked Dr. Dane.

Tag’s eyes were now filled with tears. “I’m a murderer, Doctor. God can’t forgive me for that. Jesus doesn’t save murderers.”

Dane opened his Bible. “Let’s see what the Bible says about this, Tag.” He turned to 1 Timothy 1, then angled the Bible so Tag could see it. “Did you know that the apostle Paul had his hand in killing Christians before he got saved?”

Tag looked stunned. “No.”

“Well, he did. Now I want you to see what the Spirit of God had the apostle Paul write here in verse 15. Read it to me.”

Tag focused on the verse. “ ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners; of whom I am chief.’ ”

Dane looked at Tag. “Paul called himself the chief of sinners because of the wicked life he had lived before he was saved, Tag. Now, what did he say Jesus came into the world to do?”

Tag swallowed hard. “To save sinners.”

“Right. Are
you
a sinner?”

“Am I ever.”

“Then did Jesus come into the world so he could save you?”

“Well, I—uh—but I’m a murderer.”

“Jesus came into the world to save all kinds of sinners except murderers. Is that what it says?”

“Well, no.”

“All murderers are sinners, aren’t they?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Does it say that Jesus came into the world to save sinners?”

“Yes.”

“Then are you going to say that He can’t save you and cleanse you of all your sins?”

Tag shook his head. “I can’t say that, Doctor. Since Jesus came into the world to save sinners, then He can save me too.”

Dane smiled at Doke, and Doke smiled back.

“Okay, Tag,” said Dane, “let me show you about Jesus dying on the cross and shedding His precious blood for our sins.”

Dane carefully took Tag through the Scriptures, showing him the gospel and God’s plan of salvation clearly. With tears flowing, Tag called on the Lord to save him, and great peace flooded his heart and soul.

When Tag had dried his tears, Dr. Dane said, “Tag, let me tell you what Tharyn said to me on the night before we were supposed to get married. She said, “ ‘Just think, darling. One more sunrise and I’ll be Mrs. Dane Logan!’ ”

Tag was watching the expression on the doctor’s face.

“Tag, you prevented that from happening by abducting my
bride. But listen to me. You will indeed hang tomorrow at sunrise. One more sunrise and you will be in heaven. But
nothing
can prevent that!”

At that moment, the guard opened the door. “Time’s up, gentlemen.”

Dr. Dane and Doke rose from their chairs. So did Tag, while wiping tears. There were tender good-byes between Tag and Doke, and between Tag and the man who had just led him to the Lord.

When Dane and Doke returned to the warden’s office and told John Brockman the story, John rejoiced in Tag’s salvation.

They left the warden’s office, went outside the prison gate to their horses, and swung into their saddles.

Dane looked at the other two. “Thank God for His grace. Tomorrow, Tag will be in heaven.”

John and Doke chorused an amen.

Dr. Dane took a deep breath and looked southward. “Let’s move out. My precious little bride is waiting for me!”

Dust clouds rose up from the horses’ hooves as the three men galloped away.