Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1881-04-28
MEXICO MO, THU RSDAY APRIL %, 1881.

hither?''
II hinted it to him." replied Isa-
bel Strellyn, shut he did not ap-
prove; therefore l spoke not clearly
OUT
"Not approve? Wherefore. Gave
he no reason?"
''He did. You will not let it anger
you, Martin? He said he would not
receive his pardon from your hands. !"
"Tut!" laughed the yonng cap
tain. ''Life is precious to US all, Isa-
bel. If his pardon should be placed
in Sir Everard's grasp, trust me, be
will not refuse it,
"Your tone, your manner gives
me heart, Martin. Tell me, dearest,
will you obtain for me the interview
l seek? My-my fathers execu-
tion"-her voice trembled-''is fixed
for the eighteenth.
'sThe eighteenth!' cried Martin
Baldwin, ''that is but two days dis
tant!"
His expression, which at the mo-
ment he could not control, was more
eloquent than his words. With a
cry, Isabel took his hand.
Don't say that l am too late,
Martin. On, if you love me, if you
would not see me die, say that there
is time
"Yes, dearest, there is time, but
none to lose," he rejoined. BE
lieve me, Isabel, fate is for you.
The general this very day intended
to start northward, but dispatches
arrived which have made him delay
his departure until the morrow. Rest
here with your attendant, and l will
seek him.
Having summoned Isabel's maid,
Maria, Captain Baldwin proceeded at
once to Cromwell's tent.
The great dictator was alone, and
instantly received him.
The young soldier, who had sur
rendered even friends for the right
cause.-The people's-was a favorte.
Simply, manfullv. Martin Baldwin
made his request. Cromwell listened,
HIS hiSd9t Slt1 ttoutiCt.
Il have heard of this Sir Everard,"
he said-'' of his seizure and trial.
He would have deceived bis country.
He has deserved DEATH
Otherwise, general, the common
wealth would not have condemned
him. replied Martin Baldwin, quiet
ly: NOR should | need 10 ask his
pardon at your hands,
Something like smile passed over
CromwelPs s cOuntenance.
II have also heard" he proceeded,
"that you yourself were once in this
Sir Everard's hands, and, but for an
escape, would have received small
mercy "That is cerrcct, general" :"
And the fair royalist who has
brought the news:'
''She is no royalist, having thought
for herself, and judged correctly"
MAY she convert Sir Everard -
''Give her an opportunity to do
SO, general. -
Leave me, Captain Baldwin, y
Cromwell said. "In a brief time
YOU shall learn my decision.'
Martin, bowing, withdrew, taking
witt, him hope.
He was not wrong. As he sat
seeking To comfort Isabel, soldier
appeared with two folded papers,
which he delivered TO the Captain.
! Eagerly he opened them. One was
!. the pardon of Sir Evcrard, on condi-
ton that hcnceforth he remain neu-
tral in the war; the other was leave
of absence to Captain Baldwin for
six days.
With cry Of JOY, Isabel threw
herself on her lovers neck.
Martini" she said, my father
owes his life to you!"
"But. dearest added the soldier,
smiling, lit shal! be from your fair
hands that he receives his pardon.
Quick, now: if we would reach the
castle in time, the grass must not
grow under our horses fcet!''
The hour of execution had come &.
Sir Evcrard, attired IN sable velvet,
his dark, long hair falling over his
lace collar. calmly awaited his doom.
He would have liked to have seen
his daughter again-his beautiful
Isabcl-before his eyes closed ON the
world forever; but he supposed it
could not be. He knew whittier she
had gone, and wan smile played on
his mustached lip.
~
no mercy" he said. Martin Bald
win is roundhead, and was once
my prisoner. Can / expect--''
He paused. There was a rattle of
iirelocks on the stone corridor out
side and the door being opened, he
was summoned. He arose, took his
plumed hat, and stepped forth, plac-
ing himself between his guards.
1t was a grim procession.
AS they came from under the
arched gateway sea of upturned
faces met the eyes of the doomed
royalist, out of which alose the scat
fold, whercon waited the executor
and the block. Sir Evcrard looked
at the scene; not muscle quivered.
Farewell, beautiful earth!' he
murmured. Farewell, life; and
} farewell, my Isabella! As l forgive
all men, may myself be forglven!" !"
Then he halted on the broad steps,
and turning his head, gazed at a spot
on the edge of the crowd. There was
commotiou. What was it!
Two horsemen-no, one was a
, woman-making their way through
the crowd. A dizziness came over
) Sir Everard he caught tie stone ter
race for support. He has recognized
the riders.
= Onward they came. Then the
; murmur formed words, and shouts
rent the air, as lane was made fol-
, two to pass.
7 IA pardonl A pardon from Gen
eral CROMWELL"
Then Martin had lifted Isabella
from her horse, and she came or
alone up the steps, the paper in hel
| hand.
"Father-dear father--you are par