The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-16
CHAPTER v1-rcox7rxrro /

"A
and snugly tucked up in bed in hei
own chamber.
The weary girl fe,l asleep. and wher
she woke she found il was past sunset
and Helen Fulton was sitting by hel
pillow.
Papa has come. she said: so ge'
up and brush your hair and let me
put this cluster OF rosebuds in your
curls-papa is not SO old that he mas
lost all taste for beauty"
Agnes submitted quietly. and was led
down 70 the library by her young host
ess
The governor was a tall. wel.-pre-
served man OF a.. with pleasing ad-
dress, a keen gray eye, and face
rather handsome than otherwise. Helen
led Agnes up before him.
Papa. this is Miss Agnes Trenholme
OF Portlea. She has come here with a
special errand 10 you"
The governor greeted her court
eously
Il am pleased 10 see Miss Trenholme.
] know Mr.. Ralph very vel. To what
am | indebted for this agreeable sur
prise?'
Agnes swallowed down the sobs that
were rising in her throat by a brave
effort. She had wondered what she
should say 20 this man when at last she
should get an audience, and now that
the time had come she had forgotten
everything she had intended 10 urge
Her courage, so brave and strong, had
subsidized 10 positive weakness. she
slipped down to her knees on the rug
before him, and burst into tears.
My child" he said, kindly laying
his hand on her head. what means this
emotion? Speak out. Surely you are not
afraid OF me-"
NO, but I feel so tired. and so nearly
hopeless! And l dread that you will re-
fuse ne But you must not, Indeed you
must not. for l will take no denial!
will stay here at your feet until you
grant my request"
You forget that you have no, made
IT,"
Il came TO ask so much OF YOU !
have Travelled nearly 200 miles alone,
Drawing the displeasure OF my friends,
and the scorn OF the world have
come TO ask you to spare his life-the
life OF Lynde Graham"
The governors brow grew dark.
Miss Trenholme, he Is a murderer"
Il tell you he Is not, Never call him
thus, You wrong him. he is innocent.
] tell you. before God, that IL you let
him go 20 the gallows, some time you
will repent in dust and ashes the muir
der you yourself have committed. lie
never did that dreadful deed. He would
not have harmed a single feather OF
the lowest bird in the woods. | do not
ask you TO pardon him-O no, ! am
content with asking his life-a little
respite from death until God sees Fl
20 bring the real assassin 10 Justice
MY poor girl" he said. sorrowfully.
81 regret that this has happened pity
you, for ! suppose you love this unfor-
tunate young man; but cannot grant
your request From my soul / believe
Lynde Graham guilty"
do not say so. You crush out hope
in my heart o. | cannot. cannot 20
back over that weary road without the
paper | want. Look al me. Governor
Fulton. A few little weeks ago | was
happy and care free. Now see the
change this terrible grief has wrought.
Your daughter pities me; her lnnocen;
heart feels for me- You do not know 10
what strait she may yet be reduced.
BE merciful 70 me as you would want
mercy shown TO her,
Helen crept into her fathers arms.
and laid her soft cheek against his.
Papa, IL will not hurt you TO let this
man live. and It will make her so
happy I'll go without a new bonnet
this winter. IL youll do what she
wants" And she pinched his cheek.
Madcapi Helen how can you trife
So" asked the governor trying to
frown This is too solemn a thing to
joke upon. | believe that death should
be the fate Of all murderers."
The face OF Agnes grew stern as his
own. Her voice had a steel-like ring.
And so do / with my whole soul! II
I thought him guilty, / would not
speak a word to save him. ! loved the
murdered girl az fondly as ! could have
loved an own sister, and / would give
half my life to have the real murderer
suffer for his crime. But in this case
the law has fastened on the wrong per-
son. and curiously strong chain OF
circumstantial evidence has so closely
wound itself about him, that II was i'm
possible for the jury to do otherwise
than convict him. But for all that he Is
guiltless. Oh. sir, give me a reprieve, IL
only for one little year. Many things
may be revealed in a year"
1T is impossible"
only for one year, o. sir. will not
let you go until you yieldr' She looked
up into his face. her eyes streaming
with tears.
Helen stole an arm around his neck
Papa. II you don't let her have the
paper she wants. I'll never, no. never.
kiss you nor pull your whiskers again
as long as live, swear 1t by the
book
Insensibly his stern face softened.
Agnes was watching him closely. She
saw the change. and her heart leaped
into her throat. She caught his hand
and pressed 1t to her lips.
You will make me happy" she cried.
ooh. sir. God in heaven bless you; and
some time you will thank Him that he
taught you mercy in the cause OF Jus
ticer
The governor rose, put Helen away
from him. and drew toward his writ