Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-05-11

and on feeling In his belt for the mes
sage from the president to give to
Major Barton discovered that he had
lost It. He had reached settlement
the night before, where he had spent
much time carousing, and had lost the
dispatch. Barton learned from him
that the envelope bore the mark OF
the president of the United States and
surmised that It contained either q
pardon for Stevenson or refusal to
pardon him.
The major was In q Quandary. He
was without message, Stevenson
was to be executed, and even II a par
don had been granted there was hard
ly time to send word to stop It Bar
ton had been In the army during
period when red tape was much In
vogue, and the situation quite upset
him. Though human life was at
, stake, he had no order to interfere.
To give an order In the name Of the
commander in chief Of the army and
navy of the United States was more
than he dared assume. He debated so
long rs to what course to pursue that
It would be impossible to send a mes
senger to stop the execution even II ne
were willing to take the responsibility
for doing so.
Madge Conover, starting after mid
night without guide, missed the road.
was obliged to retrace her steps for
quite long distance and did not reach
the settlement where Cassidy had STOP
ped till the next afternoon. Then she
learned that he had been there and
had gone on rather the worse for his
amusement during his stay. Madge
remounted her horse and was gallop-
ins onward when she saw before her
m oblong paper lying beside the road.
Something moved her to get down and
pick it up. She did so and, turning 1t
over, saw on the left hand corner the
printed words "From the President Of
the United States"
A message from the president,
though not addressed to her. was not
a matter Of reverence so long as Jim
Stevenson's life was at stake. Her
loving heart was not tied up with red
tape. She tore the envelope to shreds
to get ut the contents and, unfolding
the letter with trembling hands, read
that the president had granted n par
don to Private James Stevenson, til
infantry. United States army.
Madge was at one angle Of trian-
gle, Major Barton at another and the
condemned man at another The short
est leg was to Barton. But Stevenson
was to die the next morning ut sun
rise, and, though by that much respect
ed book. the army regulations. she
should have delivered the document
through the major. she knew that by
doing 30 she would fail to save her
lover. 1t was o'clock in the even
ing. Fort G. was some forty miles from
her. Mounting, she turned her horse
In that direction.
At daybreuk-it came early-the gar
rlson of Fort G. began preparations for
putting Private Stevenson out Of sus
pense. Just before sunrise he was
marched out through the gate on to the
open plain. blindfolded. his hands tied
behind him and firing squad drawn
up before him. The attention Of the
officer Of the day who had charge OF
the execution was called to mounted
figure galloping across the plain. AS 1t
drew nearer 1t held aloft something
white. The officer directed the ser
geant In command of the men to bring
them to a rest"
"It's q woman" muttered the officer
to himself.
tn, figure grew larger as 1t ap-
preached. and when but short dis
lance from the fort It was plain that
1t held aloft paper. She pulled up In
front Of the officer. handed 1t to him.
tottered, and he caught her In his arms
as she fell from her horse.
Thus was the life Of Private james
Stevenson saved BY bit Of red tape
cutting on the part Of woman. Had
the army routine prevailed. had she
been delayed ten minutes more than
she had been. he would have been rid
| died with bullets. Unbound and his
Eyes uncovered. he saw lying on the
turf near him the inanimate figure Of
Madge ConOver.
"a pardonw exclaimed the officer Of
the day. holding paper toward the
culprit.
Stevenson paid no attention to the
paper. but took Madge up In his arms.
and when she revived she saw her
lover looking down upon her.