The Red Cloud chief., 1922-04-13
The Governors
Decision
BY MARY ). sTRINcER

Copyright. 1922. western Newspaper Union.
And so we want you to pardon this
woman, governor" said the leader Of
the deputation, because she IS more
sinned against than SHINING She has
served ten years in the pcnltentiery."
For a rcvoltng murder" interposod
the governor harshly.
For murder to which she was ac-
cessory. She was swayed by the man
who committed it and has paid the
penalty OF his crime. We want to re-
store her TO society, TO give her her
chance in life. She Is still young, she
has been educated in prison. She
brute. Her life was far from eXem-
plary, But what started her upon the
downward road? The man who took
advantage of her youth and innocence.
the first unnamed, unknown man who
made her what she is
There was pause In the governors
room. Governor Bates was scrupulous
in the way he measured out justice,
The deputation knew that all the
facts concerning Mary Seyforth would
be carefully weighed. 1t knew that
Governor Bates would act according
10 the dictates Of his conscience.
But he lad his sentimental side,
and DR.. Anne Pritchard, the leader Of
the deputation, was playing it for all
it was worth.
"If every pan dared look himself
in the heart she said, "who is there
who would not say, of such women,
There, but for the mercy of God,
stand II"
The governor mcditated. He had
released many prisoners during his
term of Office. He had been unjustly
blamed and eXtrayagantly praised. He
was not thinking of what the news
papers would say. The business of
the state was in suspense for half
an hour that he might weigh whether
or not Mary Seyforth should be re-
stored to liberty. Ii was decision that
required almost superhuman clarity.
"Her prison record?' lie asked.
Splendid" said Doctor Pritchard.
"Tll go and see her" announced the
| governor.
The deputatlon withdrew. They had
gained something, ut any rate, but
they had hoped for more"
That evening the governor went to
the pententary to see the woman. He
rose and bowed as the slight, prison
clad figure entered the warden's office
"Sit down, Mary Seyforth,' he said
"You know why i am here. l have
been approached with view to grant
ing you pardon. You must not be
influenced by undue hopes. Tell me
your story"
The slight figure faced him acros:
the table but she kept her face buried
in her hands. She did not answer
him.
"You were lucky to escape thu
chair" said the governor judiciously
"Your life has not been exemplary
/ am not reproachng you with 1t;
| am summing up the facts. Did yol
love CarterI"
She shook her head.
"Then, why in Gods name, were yo'
an accessory to his crlme?' the gov
ernor demanded.
She spoke between her fingers: 7"
was alone In the world. l had been {
servant. | had--a child to support.
couldn't he Il servant ana support II
and-and Carter came to me ant
promised TO let it live with us If Ii
I'd agree. What Is one to doT'
"You should never have snned II
the first place" answered the govern
or, but she went on:
"Then, when he planned to breaI
into the old mans safe, he swor
that there should be no violence
When the old man awoke and crle'
he strangled him with his pocke
handkerchief. | didn't know what h
was doing. When l knew II toll
him to get out of my sight forever"
"All this does not excuse the fac
that you had deliberately placed your
self outside the social institutions,
said the governor
THAT'S all. | didn't ask for a pal
don, and II don't want one. Yo
see, the-the child IS dead"
"You don't want to go free| aske
the governor in establishment.
"No. what should l want my free
dom for? I'm happy here, in way.
"You should have your chance
life" said the governor. "A chance
atone for the past by years of service
You IRE now an educated woman
You could obtain position. DoctC
Pritchard has promised TO see to /
I have decided to grant this applies
tion. But, Mary Seyforth, do NJ
blame society In your heart. Yo
alone are the cause Of your mlsfo
tunes"
"How about the MANTLE fir
man?' asked Mary Seyforth quietl
, for the first time looking him In IL
, eyes across the table.
Into the governors eyes look
horror came. He stared at her b
wildered.
: "You, Mary?' he cried in horror
4 And tlp VorIg rnpr through n