The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-09-13

not pardon Curtis.
He made no reply just then and sh
waited
''But that is not all, Lucy he salt
after while. ssCurtis was an Influential
man, and related to nearly everybody o
prominence in his part of the State
Well, they threatened me today
Threatened you, Paul? How coult
| they do that p
''It's just this, Lucy. They will con.
troll the delegation in the convention from
their end of the State, and if | don t par.
don Curtis we won't be here for second
term.
''They will defeat your renominationr
"Yes. -
Her face blanched, and he saw her lips
quivering.
'sDo you mean, Paul, that those men
will beat you in the convention if you re-
fuse to pardon Curtis p
''That's it, he replied, trying to laugh.
''They have the power, and they will GER
tainly use it. Mr. Westcott is an able
and good man, and there is no reason why
they shouldn't vote for him if they want
to.
"But they would vote for you if you
pardoned Curtis ?
"Yes, he replied, and he was sur
prised to find that he was trying to be
glib, 'sand might pardon him after ALL
He hSs served five years already. Think
what a punishment that is for man in
thePosition that he once held / could
say that he has reformed and needs a new
chance. | could tell how the minister
himself came to plead for him.
He stopped, suddenly ashamed of him
self, and the red flushed his face But
the color returned to her cheeks and her
lips grew firm again.
"No, Paul, she said steadily, ''we must
not deceive ourselves that way. If you
pardoned Curtis, it would be because we
want to come back here four years more y
"But | may really be justified in pardon
ing him. Perhaps the minister is right
He may do more good for the world and
himself out side the walls of the peniten-
tiary than inside them Think, Lucy, of
what it all means! We can't go back to
that pinched little life in the hills.
She rose now and, putting her arms
around his neck, lay her cheek against his.
81 know all that it means, Paul, she
said. ''It is hard for me, as it is for you,
to give up our life here | will not make
any secret of that | know too that it
ruins your career, but can go back to the
hills and you can go with me- | would
not have you, Paul, my husband, to buy
even Governorship with any such sacri-
fee of the right Are those men still
here?
eyes, and am to answer them tomor-
row afternoon.
''There is only one answer you can give
them, Paul
He pressed her cheek more closely to his.
x X x X x X
When the Governor walked up the spets
of the Capitol the next morning he met
Guthrie, the correspondent of the Herald
Record, young man with a grave, cool
face. They were good friends Guthrie
had written very pleasant things about him
in the Herald Record, the State most
powerful newspapaper.
81 hear that delegatin of Bill Curti'
friends are here seeking his pardon, said
Guthrie, after the good mornings
Eyes, they came up yesterday, and |
shall give them an answer at FIVE O. clock
this afternoon.
''They are influential men, Governor, .
said Guthrie Significantly.
$50 | know.
"Would you mind intimating what
your answer will be?''
"If you wish, you can be present in my
Office when | make it, replied the Gov
ernor.
The delegation, led by Senator Price,
came at the appointed time. All of them
looked happy, as if they thought the
victory already won.
"Well, Governor, said Senator Price
genially, ga night to think over knotty
problem usually puts man in the right
frame of mind, and we hope that you have
good news for poor Bill Curtis and us. -
II have thought long over the matter,
replied the Governor gravely, tand have
come to the conclusion that murder is mur-
der and must be punished. Gentlemen,
[ cannot grant the pardon.
The faces of the committee fell and then
grew threatening.
''Of course, you understand Governor,
said Senator Price in smooth, even tones,
"that poor Bill Curtis friends are likely
to feel little hard about this. .
"Oh, understand, - replied the Cover
nor YEARLY, as he turned away.
The committee stalked out, their brows
lowering, and the Governor was left alone
with Guthrie.
Governor said the correspondent
warmly, ~ honor you more than any other
man | know.
''Thank you, Billy, replied the Cover
nor sadly, "but | am beaten for the re-
and you understand that as
we'll as | do.
Hespoke the truth, although his friends
made great fight for him. The Herald
Record came down to the Capitol with
glowing account of his frmness, and the
true state of the case was soon known all
over the State 1t drew additional votes
for him from the centre and east, but the
west, where the friends of Curtis had
powerful organization, remained obdurate.
The Governor lieutenant, Carter, made
thrilling speech on the floor of the con-
vention, appealing for fair play and justice
TO man who had done right in the face
Of great temptation, the press was solidly
his friend, but everything was unavailing,
and Westcott was nominated by majority
Of twenty votes, narrow margin in con-
vention that contained nearly thousand,
but enough.
II did my best, Governor, = said Carter
sadly, after the convention was over.
81 know you did, Tom, replied the
Governor, "'and know too that my friends
ire left to me-
The year ended somewhat gloomily in
he old house at the little capital. The
Governor found his chief consolation then
n Lucy. She sought to be cheerful and
gay and she never complained of anything,
,ut there were moments when depression