Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-07-19

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his bed. A key then grated III
their own door. 1t was flung open. and
there We're Mr. Cope, the governor, and
a bevyyo turkeys in the passage.
Out with it !" gasped Creasey, on his
knees. "I'm respited, Amt ] Z l never
done 1t. sir. never did. The king
wouldn't hang an innocent man r
Get up and dress yourself, was the
reply. You will hear the report up
stairs, NIL OF you together You. too,
Erickson. Slip on your things.s
Tom obeyed and then lent hand to
Creasey. who hardly knew his small
clothes from his jacket. and clung to
Tom as child to Its nurse.
I'm Innocent" he kept munbling.
They'll be the murderers II they let
me swing. Didn't tell you l was In
nocent, Erickson? Haven't ] said SO
all along? Oh, my Gawd, II they. let
me swingr'
They won't" whispered Tom. 4But
II they did, why. we've got to die some
Time. It's an easy death. and there's
an end to it,
.But don't want to dlel I dursn't
die! / don't deserve to die! Don't I
keep telling yer never done tn"
And the AFFECT thing chung blubber-
ing to Toms arm as the turnkey who
was waiting at the door conducted the
pnir upstairs.
The upper day room. or cell ward, as
It was indifferently. termed, was but
poorly lighted with candles, whose se-
Lpulchral rays added pailor even to the
white faces OF those dragged from
their beds to hear their doom. The
number of the latter being now COM
plete, nil fourteen were ordered to
kneel, and Tom found himself between
Creasey and Carter at one end OF the
line. Creasey still chung to his arm.
Carter knelt like n rock. with his great
fingers clutched In front Of him and
heavy drops falling on them from his
pended brow. This was all Tom saw
before the ordinary entered in his gown
and halted before him first.
sAIr. Erichsen,. said he, with q com
passionate tremor, the recorder has
this evening made his report to the
king. ! nm very sorry to have to In
form you that 1t Is unfavorable.''
Tom inclined his head. He had cher.
isAed no hopes.
The ordinary approached Carter.
Il am sorry to tell you it IL oil
against you Also" he continued. As
for you, Creasey." and the latter tight
ened his grip on Toms arm, II am
happy to inform you that your life Is
spared, and l am very happy to In
form all the others that by the royal
mercy their lives are spared
Creasey Withdrew his hand from
Toms arm and edged further away on
his knees. A deep sigh rose from a
dozen breasts; then as the chaplain
was about to offer up a prayer there
came sudden crash at Toms side,
and the wretched Carter was founder.
ing on the floor In conyuSsions. The
rest We're hurried back to their cells,
and Creasey executed breakdown
while Tom quietly undressed.
But that's all rightw cried the for
mer. stopping suddenly. '.It's no more
~ expected, cause, you see, I'm an
innocent man an allus was; that's why
you never caught me showing the
white, Erickson, though once or twice
you thought you did. fingered IL you
wouldn't believe anythink, mug Ike
you! Why, I used to blk you every
blooming night for fun! Not but what
I'm sorry It's all up with you, old
man; though It's nice an comfy
death. you told me SO yourself. and
YOU know we've all got to die some
day! Besides, you done yours-no
denying IT. but l never done mine at
NIL. SO It's fair an square enough, you
must adinits, 81
The little cur was snoring In ten
minutes. He was removed to the
Transport side next morning. And
Tom, left In solitude. would hive Civ.
en- some days of the twelve remaining
to have had him back.
The execution was fixed for the Goth
He would never see another June
Rassett came from day to day with
news Of the petition. II was being
signed, but not us freely as at FIRST,
Bassett's disappointment was patent ia
the condemned man. The smart young
fellow was In fact beginning to weary
of his uphill work and to think about
the bill.
So next day Tom asked Bassett
whether the noble unknown had also
abandoned hope and effort.
Not he" said Bassett In half dis
gusted tone. He IS moving heaven
and earth; seeking private interviews
with the home secretary II not Will
the king himself. Hes quite capable
Of II. A wonderful man when he gets
an idea into his head!
But what put this idea Into his
| head z,
Heaven knows!''
Tom looked the attorney through and
through and asked another question
did you tell him how much | should
like to see him before die to thank
him r. sS
II did, but he Is too busy working
for you. He said that would do you
more good SIS
x see" said Tom sadly; ..anothe,
Culliford Then why Is he doing til
Culllford was paid. He paid him. But
why, again? See here, you Bassett
Both you and he dlsbelieve In me-
know 1t now-but you are tired Of your
Job. and he is not. Why net? I be
lslieve you know! Then fell me, and lei
us part friends once and for oil. You
need bother your head no more about
me, only tell me what you must know,