The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-18
THE RICO VERY.
IA Story of Kentucky
Copyright, 1908, by JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER Entered at Stationers' Hall
All rights reserved
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 All rights reserved
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 This thing of runnin' State is pretty hard job on us ain't 1t, MT. Clarke?" he said.
 'eYes, Seth, it is." I replied from the bottom of my soul.
 I did not have the heart to tell nm that we were going to leave the Capl- tol and never return to 1t. .. He went quietly out. and l was teIe alone. more alone than had ever been n before in my life. I did not sleep at all that night. nor did I seek to do sS, but I sat fully dressed and, from my window. saw the sun come up in isood of rosy light over the wintry eastern hills. .
 After breakfast and before the meet ing of the House Jimmy Warneio caiA- cd He had heard somehow that nao been away from the Capltoi all the pecte | something unusual. recelved him in the same parlor in which had promised Pauline Harmon not to par don George Grey and Alicia to pardon him.
 your office at the Capitol?" asked War field.
 .sNo," I replied. saThen this afternoon. Some bills will be laid before you for signature"
 '4No. nor this afternoon.
 He gave me a sudden. startled look my tone I knew was peculiar. , Why. whats the matter Harry! he asked @,. .
 I took from my pocket the sealed envelopes bearing the off1clal stamp and handed them to him.
 .aThe first is the pardon of George Grey. and the second is my res1gna- tion," said.
 He looked at my pale face ana ne was silent for few moments. But Nave known nobody of quicker precep" ton than Jinmy Warfield, and pre- sentty he saids sss.s'.
 You have done this because Alicia Grey asked you to do It.
 .sYes. But you will not tell It,;
 No. < But some may guess II.
 warfeld was very quiet. He show cd no surprise and he said not a single word ir protest. I think he must have guessed much. ,
 "Jiumy.". I said, you have been the best friend to me that a man ever had. Take these envelopes away from me, again. Send the pardon to the peni- tentiary and lay the resignation before "yery we'll" he said quietly. and then. turning suddenly. he gripped my hand ip his.
 stronger man. than could ever be!'
 Then he released my hand and hur- ried out. Once again I say that the true friendship of men is a great thing. I did not go ito my office, but Ter :1iained in the parfor before the smould- aring fire. and my thoughts often went with Warfeld. He would first send the pardon to the warden of the peniten- tiary and then he would read my res1g- nation of the House, and, though l considered all things finished. waited neryousfy 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 I should remain so long at the Mansion, but asked no ques- tfons.
 1t was we'll past noon. when I heard a firm step in the hall, and Jimmy Werf1eld came again into the parlor. knew at once from his countenance that 1he had news to tell. and pre- sunasa that # Was the story of f the sI3a par. ly upseto n1e. and held &out two sealed l. "Take them back" he said. "I refuse to deliver thefn.s V
 z Forgive me, Jimmy" said, 'I was Wrong to ask you to do it. must send them in some other way"
 Nor in any other way" he said. and his voice rose. "A strange thing has happened, 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
 ville," he .said gravely. .that George Grey.. overwhelmed by fear. committed suicide in his cell last night. It was the only gracious act of his life. and mean no sacrffege when T say it.'
 think I lost consciousness for the only time in my life-because Jimmy's S arm was suddenly under my shoulder, and I heard him from afar off saying: Steady. old man. steadyr' But in a i,iomentI was sane and strong again.
 It seems a wicked thing to rejoice ever the death of anybody. but those 2-ho know the misery George Grey caused in the lives of others never re- arette1 the passing of his own. So. i IF not play the hypocrite. and shed false tears. His death was life to me, tremendous surge from the pits ot despair to the peaks of hope. All things that lately seemed to have finished seemed now merely to have begun and in a rush of joyous emotion. I seized Jimmy Warfield's hand. and squeezed it until he cried aloud.
 CHAPTER xxIII.
 One Woman.
 The death of Grey created a great sensation throughout the State. and those were not wanting who said that ] would rejoice at it, true saying, but eaid4in an evH way. Such things came to nIy. ears. but they trouble me, nc mores had endured too many greater wounds to be hurt by such little