The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1914-08-07

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rooms. He hurried IN. Upon a little
cot the boy was seated. and, as the
father entered, he looked up at him
and smiled. Something seemed to
burst in the mans heart. He snatched
the child in his arms and covered him
with kisses.
Put down my child" exclaimed
his wife's voice at his side, and Smith
turned to see a fury confronting him.
"You-murderer!" the woman
gasped. How dare you come here
and pollute my child with your touch?"
Your child?" the man stammered.
yes, mine. The court gave me the
custody of him. You have no part
with him any more. You have no right
here Leave this house and never let
me see you again."
This was the woman who had chung
to him so lovingly when the guard led
him away to begin his sentence. The
man looked helpless, and the woman,
seeing his distress, softened a little.
II don't want to hurt you more
than you have hurt yourself" she
said. Don't you see that you must
not come into my life again?"
No. said the mar stupidity.
For the boys sake" she answered.
What do you think his life will be If
he grows up to discover that his ia
Their was a convict"
I'VE a go somewhere" the man
pleaded. I'VE a begin life anew"
And live a lie? No" she answered.
THE court has set me free, and given
me the child. l am sorry for you.
but you must go. 1t Is for his sake
Smith put on his hat and went out
without a word. He had hardly Sc;
his foot outside the door before II
closed.
From that moment he had set tC
work desperately to retrieve himself
He had taken a position, through the
kindness of the governor, who saw tt
1t that his past should never come
to light among his associates. He
had saved money, had gone into poll
tics. He was elected a congressman
Then, the record Of his unflinching In
tegrity aided him, and he had beer
swept into the governors chair by {
large majority of the voters Of hi
state. And the secret of his past dieC
when the old governor, his friend
died, leaving him a legacy sufficient t,
insure him against all future want. l
was the supreme act Of the old gov
ernor's life, that he, who had not bee
all he had dreamed of being, shoul0
have raised this convict out Of tn
dust.
Mrs. Winthrop, sir" said the secrt
tary.
A black-garbed woman hurried int
the room and sank down into the chai
which the governor had courteousl
accorded her.
Il got your letter, madam said tn
governor.
} You will pardon him." the moth,
pleaded. He never had a chance. Il
was a convict's SON"
The governor was looking into he
face. She did not know him. But b
would have known her anywhere.
Tell me what happened to the fl
Their" he requested.
He was a murderer" sobbed tn
woman. When he came out of prise
I cast him OFF. ! could not let the be
grow up to know that his father hs
killed a man. But it was in the bloc
Still, Henry struck in a moment
anger. He had no intention to kill
But the father, madam" persiste
the governor. What became of him
How should I know" answered Il
woman. He went to the bad, su
, pose. He was a worthless man.
| could not let Harry know that his (
Their was a murderer"
You have never regretted your d
cision, madam? 1t did not occur
you that you had some responsible
for the fathers future?"
, MOI" she cried wildly. Don't |
US talk of that scoundrel; tell me tn
[ you will pardon my SON"
I She raised her eyes for the fir
time and looked into the governor
. face. Something there seemed to te
{ rify her, for the moment, for 81
3 looked hard at him, and the govern.
met her gaze patiently. If she reco
D nized him-but she did not recogni
him. Her eyes fell, then she sank
, the floor and, kneeling before the 60
! ernor, with her hands clasped in a
+ peal.
r you must pardon him." she sal
, "You, who are SO upright, to who
a temptation has never come, cannot U
a derstand the temptations and passio.
OF a boy bereft Of a fathers love a.
=, protection. l did everything l cou
!, for him. | changed my name. Imov
!. to another city. But It vas hard
give him the proper environment
p and In spite Of all he turned out wi
But he will never do wrong agaiI
Get up, madam" said the govern,
Il have decided to pardon the b
h on n condition. This is, that he
r port to me from time to time, thai
may know how he is progressing,