Middletown transcript., 1891-03-12
Holton, and will Join you then in the

44C NIOtcIuOI huu LIS WlAO thOAA
mingled with their guests. Holton
stood for awhile and watched the
brilliant scene with contracted brows.
"Great heavens I" he muttered,
TO think of the tragedy underlying
all this, and that poor woman, she
has suffered. her face shows that.
What if she knewl This thing must
be averted.
He did not linger long in the recep-
tion room, but went off to the library
where he paced up and down in deep
and disturbed thought until the
Governor Joined him.
Well, here / am, the latter said,
sinking rather weariedly into chair,
what can I do for yon?"
The lawyer drew mp another chair
and sat down opposite to him.
Did you know that this man
Carson whom | have been defending
was found guilty this afternoon of
murder in the first degree and con-
dernned to be hanged p he asked.
Yes, I knew it, the death warrant
was brought me early in the evening,
and have not yet had time to sign
it."
have come to ask you not to
sign that death-warrant," said Holton,
will abrupt earnestness /; "on the con-
tary to pardon this man."
Indeed 7 and your reasons? they
are of course, good and sufficient
ones?'
"The evidence is all purely cir
cumstantial, and / do not believe him
guilty."
That may be as you have defend
ed him, but the law has found him SO.
You must give me stronger reason
than that ; can you do SO 2"
I" am strongly interested in the
man, and ask his pardon from you
as personal favor.1
Il am both surprised and sorry
that you should do SO. The claims Of
friendship are strong with me, but
they stop short of my duty, which,
you must know, is to uphold the laws
of the State which has placed me at
its head"
Yes, yes. I know all that" replied
the lawyer, impatiently; then he
went on with impressive earnestness,
" but there is strong reason why
you should not sign the death-warrant
of that man even if he be guilty. II
you pardon him I promise you he
shall leave the country forever, or, if
you will not pardon him, at least
commute his sentence"
"There is no reason why I should
do either, except proof of his in.
nocence or extenuating circumstances
which the law would recognize. You,
I should judge, cannot produce
either or you would have done so at
the proper time and place"
Confound it all, man, if you will
have the the reason, it is this !: The
condemned. mans name is not Carson
at all. it is the same as yours. Anc rev
Waring, the other is assumed"
A short silence followed. A swift
pallor swept the Governors face from
chin to brow, the hand resting on the
arm of his chair suddenly cleDched
over it until the veins stood out like
cords. Then he looked across into
the others face with cold, unfinching
eyes.
I still fail to see justifable reason
for granting your request" he said
quietly.
my God man p the lawyer
cried, springing t, his feet in his ex-
element. Don't you understand |
The mans your own son. I recog-
nized him from the first (though no
one else did, he's terribly changed
and undertook his case, trying my
hardest to get him off, whether he was
guilty or innocent, for your sake and
his mothers sake. and also because !
had carried him in my arms when he
was little toddling child, and. some-
how l couldn't forget the clinging Of
those small baby arms about my neck
failed, but it is in your power still
to save him. You will not sign the
death.warrant of your own SON ?"
The Governor also arose and drew
himself up until his great height
seemed to tower above the other. His
brows were drawn together, his face
was cold, pale and stern.
You make great mistake" he
said. l have no SON."
Before Holton could reply the
velvet portiere was put aside and Mrs
Waring entered. Both men stared al
her dumbly as she came forward. 8
smile on her lips, her laces and heavv
silks trailing behind her.
s" must beg your pardon for my
intrusion" she said then she looked
at her husband, "some of your guests
are leaving, Andrew, so I came for
you"
Yes, 1 will come" he replied, &
little mechanically.
Mrs. Waring," said Holton, alb.
ruptly, and the Governor gave a
quick start; " | have just been max
ing request of your husband, asking
him to pardon that fellow Carson who
was condemned to-day. Will you add
your entreaties to mine ask your
husband to pardon him for-for the
sake of the unfortunate mans pool
mother
The smile faded from her lips, they
quivered, the tears rose to her eyes.
Poor, poor mother" she MUIR
INJURED, then she laid her hand on hel
husbands arm and looked, with q
faint smile into the lawyers face. ~
am sure my husband would not re-
fuse any request of yours, Mr.. Holton
without very COOL reasons" she add
ed, gently.
The lawyer bowed and looked
across at the Governor. His face was
white, but the dark, proud eyes met
his calmly, unHinchingly, as he drew