Page:Salem - a tale of the seventeenth century (IA taleseventeenth00derbrich).pdf/319

 *sought child; that woman is the mother of my sainted wife—she is the sole possessor of the coveted secret; I will answer for her innocence of this absurd charge. I ask you, by our life-long friendship, to use in her behalf the executive clemency which you hold."

The hands of the brother officers met in a wringing clasp; and then, while the father pressed forward and raised the unconscious form of Alice from the ground, there was a sudden stir and conference among the officers of the governor's council, a few words to his secretary, a few hasty formulas—and then the magic words, "A reprieve—a reprieve! pardon—pardon! the governor's pardon!" were caught up by the nearest by-standers, and spread rapidly through the sympathizing crowd. The governor and his suite galloped onward; the clumsy, creaking death-*cart was turned about, and followed them down to the "Ship Tavern," where Alice's father had already preceded them with his precious and unconscious burden; and here, when her swollen and long-manacled limbs were once more set at liberty, the trembling and half-bewildered grandmother assisted in