The Republican., 1900-12-20

road officials believed Weston guilty.
and if he granted the pardon their
influence would be thrown against
him in the coming election. The fight
had been close before. He had held
the favor of the people rather than
the capitalists, and he knew that if
the influence of the railroad officials
was used against him he would GER
tainly be defeated. Yet, if he could
convince himself of the mans inno-
cence, he would not hesitate.
| In the midst of the musing there
came message that young woman
wished to see him. He directed that
she should be admitted, and a mo-
ment later she stood before him, gaz-
ing at him shyly through black veil.
She was dressed simply in black, and
her hands, small and white, clasped
and unclasped nervously while she
struggled to control her evident emo
ton.
The governors visitor sank into the
proffered chair, leaned forward and
| Nic'iJ pushing bdSh AliC NNli MN III
face met his inquiring glance with
softly pleading eyes, in which the
tears seemed ready to overflow.
"Oh, SIR she said, in low, tear
choked voice. you look so good, so
kind, that L am sure you will not re-
fuse my prayer"
The governor regarded her kindly,
! T. L. H.,
and daughters of his own. what is
it that you want?" he queried.
The girl suddenly sank on her knees
before him, with tightly clasped hands
upraised and eyes fixed imploringly
on his face. and said, with a pitiful
little break in her voice: 81 want you
to pardon Frank Weston
The governor bent forward and gen
tly raised her up, with a troubled look
in his fine gray eyes.
But, child" he said, "he has been
found guilty of very grave crime.
Heaven knows 1 wish to be merciful,
and at the same time just. Should 1
pardon him, l might be condoning a
crime"
But, sir!" she cried, quickly, "he
isn't guilty. It's all horrible mis-
take" with such note of perfect con-
fdence in her voice that the governor
smiled.
"Then you are quite sure he is inno-
cent?" said he.
"Quite sure" she said, simply.
IL
up and down the room, his head bent
in thought, while the girls gaze fol-
lowed him anxiously. Stopping at last
before her he queried: you are his
-sister?"
Il am to be his-wife." she an
swered, proudly, fiinging back her
head with a little imperious motion.
The governors eyes grew strange
ly tender. and his voice was very kind
ly when he said: Guilty or not, he's
a lucky man to have such loyal de-
fender-and," he added, slowly, half
to himself 'were he guilty, I don't be-
lieve he would. or could, deceive you"
The girl looked at him gratefully.
Believe me. sir" she said, 'he is in
nocent"
The governor took another turn
about the room then stopping before
his visitor looked down upon her with
a quizzical expression in his eyes.
You give me your personal guaran-
tee that he is not guilty of the crime
of which he has been convicted?" he
asked, half gravely, half playfully,
and the girl answered, eagerly: 81
do" as though her assurance of his
innocence settled the matter conclu-
sively.
The governor seated himself at his
desk, drew sheet of paper toward
him, picked up a pen, wrote several
lines and in firm, bold hand signed
his name.
"Here is the pardon" he said; "you
may deliver it in person." and he held
it toward her.
The girl grasped it eagerly. "Oh,
SIR she cried, gratefully. you have
done justice to an innocent man. You
will surely be rewarded.
The governor smiled little grimly
at thought of what the reward of his
action would probably be, and said,
gently: 81 hope So"