The Colfax chronicle., 1901-01-19


had been close before. He had held
the favor of the people rather than
the capitalists, and he knew that il
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 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
slowly pushing back the veil from her
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 am sure you will not re-
fuse my prayer"
The governor regarded her kindly.
encouragingly. He had gentle heart
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 pitiful
little break in her voice: II 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 / wish to be merciful,
and at the same time just. Should
pardon him. might be condoning
crime"
"But, sir!" she cried, quickly, "he
isn't guilty. It's all a horrible mis-
take" with such note of perfect con-
fidence in her voice that the governor
smiled
"Then you are quite sure he is inno-
cent?" said he.
"Quite sure" she said. simply.
The governor rose and paced slowly
up and down the room, his head bent
in thought. while the girls gaze fol-
lowed him anxiously. Stopping at last
before her ho queried: "You are his
-sister?"
II am to be his-wife." she an
swered, proudly. fiinging back her
head with 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
lucky man to have such a loyal de-
fender-and," he added, slowly, half
to himself, "were he guilty, 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: II
do" as though her assurance of his
innocence settled the matter concIu-
sively.
The governor seated himself at his
desk, drew a sheet of paper toward
him, picked up 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
II toward her.
The girl grasped it eagerly. "Oh,
sir" she cried, gratefully, you have
done justice to an innocent man. Yon
will surely be rewarded.
The governor smiled a little grimly
at thought of what the reward of his
action would probably be, and said.
gently: II hope So"
At ten o'clock the next day the cub
was observed at spare desk, work
ing away most industriously, with as
much notice from the city editor as
he bestowed upon the flies on the cell
ing. At IL o'clock he wandered up to
the city editors desk and laid pile
Of neatly written copy half inch
thick before him. That functionary
picked it up with a bored gesture,
glanced carelessly over the first few
pages, grunted inquiringly, then
turned to the cub. looked at him curl
ously, smiled-with his eyes, this time
land spoke to him quite grufly, as
he did when he was especially pleased.