Ruth trembled at the thought of her appeal to King. She knew his iron will, his intense love, and the certainty with which he had long regarded their coming union. His ambitions were still mounting, and daily with better assurances of success. His party had chosen another man their candidate for the Presidency, and had been overwhelmed in defeat, while he had been re-elected Governor by a larger plurality.

He received her with grave tenderness.

“Morris,” she cried, pathetically, seizing his hand and holding it, “he is not guilty of murder. Everything has been against him in these trials. They were not fair. He killed that man in what men have always called a fair fight. You are a manly man. You believe in justice. You will not let them kill him!”

She could feel the strong man’s hand tremble in hers, looked up into his face, and saw a tear quiver on his lashes.

“Oh! Ruth,” he cried, bitterly, “why do you cling to this man? He is regarded as the most dangerous firebrand in America. I could show you hundreds of letters piled on that desk begging me in the name of law and order and all the forces of civilised society not to interfere with his sentence. Come, you know how I love you. This is horrible cruelty to me. The doors of the White House are opening. You know that what I have, am now, and ever may be, is yours. It will all be ashes without you. I offer you a deathless love, honour and glory, and you come here to tell me you prefer a convicted felon in his cell. My God, it is too much!”

The Governor leaned on his desk and shaded his face with his hands.

“How can I help it, Morris, if I love him?” she asked, piteously.

He raised his head, looked away, and softly said:

“Ruth, could you never love me?”

She was silent a moment and her lips trembled.

“If he dies, I cannot live,” she gasped.

He leaned close, took her hand, and said:

“I’ll order a stay of sentence for three months.”

She kissed his hand, and murmured:

“Thank you.”

From the telegraph office at Albany over the wires to Sing Sing’s house of death flew the message:

“Sentence stayed for three months while the Governor considers your pardon. Faith and hope eternal. RUTH.”

The next express carried her to him with the copy of the Governor’s order in her bosom.

The warden smiled and congratulated her. She had long before won his heart, and there was no favour within the limits of law that he had not grante............