Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-03

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selfish enough to forget Alicia. remem-
bered always that she would suffer with
me. and. perhaps more because there
would be Grey. that terrible ulcer upon
her life After all was l right, even In
the eyes Of Alicia and myself to pardon
him: But had given my promise and l
cast aside the doubt.
Twilight came and then somber night.
Ali the city was in dusk and over 1t
rolled black wintry skies. Seth appeared
once at the door telling me dinner was
ready. but I replied that I wanted none.
and still sat staring into the fire and not
seeing it.
| had but one course to choose, and !
do not think Alicia had ever forcseen
that | must take it. l went at last to the
little private Office that l kept at the
house. and taking down a reluctant pen,
wrote George Grey's pardon. the pardon
of an atrociouS murderer. convicted by
an honest jury and condemned to die by
the rope. gave no reason for the act.
but the document bore my signature. tiie
signature of the governor. and not all
the laws of the state could nullify it.
| put the pardon in an official envelope
and then I rested while. After hall
hour took up the no less reluctant pen
and for the second time wrote out my
resignation. But now the legislature
would accept it; ! had no illusions upon
the subject. not a single doubt. 1t was
bound TO do so, my best friends could not
overlook such ali act as the pardoning OF
George Grey. and Alicia and my career
were gone toSether-and forever
My pen Travelled heavily to the end and
heavily 1 signed my name. Then put
on top of the other. Seth came in little
later and asked me in sympathetic
tone if ! would not eat something.
NO. thank you, Seth / replied.
This thing of runnin state is
pretty hard job on us. amt 1T, Mr.
Yes, Seth. it is I replied from the
bottom of my soul.
1 did not have the heart TO tell him
that we We're going to leave the capltoi
and never return to 1t.
He went quietly out and | was leit
alone. more alone than I had ever been
before in my life. I did not sleep at all
that night. nor did l seek TO do SO. but
sat fully dressed and from my window
saw the sun come up in flood of rosy
light over the wintry eastern hills.
After breakfast and before the meeting
of the house Jimmy Warfeld called. He
had heard somehow that I had been
away from the capitol all the afternoon
thing unusual. l received him in the
same parlor in which l had promised
Pauline Harmon not to pardon George
Grey and Alicia TO pardon him.
Are YOU coming over presently to
your office at the capitol?" asked War
No ] replied.
Then this afternoon Some bills will
be laid before YOU for signature
NO. nor this afternoon
He gave me a sudden startled iook-my
tone I knew was peculiar.
''Why, what's the matter Harry he
asked.
took from my pocket the sealed en-
velopes bearing the official stamp and
handed them to him.
1.-THE first is the pardon of George
Grey and the second is my resignation,
said
He looked at my pale face and he was
silent for a few moments. But ] have
known of nobody quicker of perception
than Jimmy Warfeld, and presently he
said:
you have done this because Alicia
Grew asked you to do it,
Yes But you will not tell IT.
NO. But some may guess 1t.
Warfield was very quiet. He showed no
surprise and he said not. a single word in
protest. l think he must have guessed
much
Jimmy I said. you have been the
best friend to me that man ever had.
Take these envelopes away from me-. l
don't want to see either of them again.
Send the pardon to the penitentlary and
lay the resignation before the house.
Very WE'LL he said quietly, and then,
turning suddenly, he gripped my hand in
his.
Harry" he exclaimed you are
stronger man than l cou'd ever be-
Then he released my hand and hurried
out. Once again l say that the true
friendship of men is a great thing
/ did not go to my office. but remained
in the parlor before the smoldering fire.
and my thoughts often went with War
field He would first send the pardon to
the warden of the pententiary and then
he would read my res. gnation to the
house, and, though l considered all things
finished. l waited nervously for the news
Of the event. What would they say?
How would they take it? But the hours
passed and nobody came. Seth expressed
his wonder that l should remain so long
at the mansion but asked no questions.
1t was we'll past noon when l heard
a firm step in the hal. and Jimmy War
fed came again into the parlor. / knew
at once from his countenance that he had
news to tell. and l presumed that 1t was
the story OF the pardon and resignation.
but he came briskly up 10 me, and held
out two sealed envelopes.
Take them back, he sald, Il refuse 10
deliver them.
Forgive me. jimmy" I said. Il was
wrong TO ask you to 90 II. l must send
them in some other way.
Nor in any Otner way. ne Sdlu. anu
his voice rose. "A strange thing has hap
pened. Harry. Chance. which has always
been against you hitherto. has now turned
in your favor
Startled I looked at him, and saw that
his eyes were alight.
I'VE have just heard from Louisville.
he said grave'y, "tnat George Grey. over
whelmed by fear. committed suicide in
his cell last night. 1t was the only gra-
cious act OF his life. and I mean no sac
rilege when + say it.
think | lost consciousness for the only
time in my iife-because Jimmy's arm
was suddenly under my shoulder. and /
heard him from afar off. saying: STEADY.
old man. steady!' But in moment l was
sane and strong again.
II seems a wicked thing TO rejoice over
the death Of anybody. but those Vho
know the misery George Grey caused in
the lives of others never regretted the
passing of his own. So, | will not play
The hvpocrite, and shed false tears. His
death was life to me, tremendous surge
from the pits Of despair to the peaks of
hone. All things that lately seemed to
have finished seemed now merely to have
begun, and. in rush of joyous emotion.
I seized Jimmy Warfield's hand, and
squeezed 1t until he cried aloud.