326 THE LOVE TOKEN. 



intended victim, and in the wildness of disappointed rage, flung the 

 pistol with all his might on the marble floor, and throwing himself 

 back against the wall, neither threat nor entreaty could induce him to 

 open his lips, until on the scaffold he renewed his curse on the failing 

 weapon, and on him for whom it was intended. 



When Mr. Fitzgerald turned to the other youth, who by his timidity, 

 and tears, and downcast countenance, betrayed a character most opposite 

 to that of the former, George Leslie answered for him that he was the 

 son of a distant tenant of his father's, who had been seduced unto their 

 cause, and that he himself was perfectly innocent of its nature. Perhaps 

 pity for the lad, more than the remonstrance of George, induced 

 Mr. Fitzgerald to pass him by, and he retired to a distant corner of the 

 room, hiding his face and sobbing convulsively. Lord Mauden and Mr. 

 Leslie had been engaged in a low conversation during the presence of 

 the last culprit at the table, whom they had not at all observed, but 

 now, on the name of George Leslie being called, they both started into 

 attention. He refused to answer any questions confessed his guilt in 

 the fullest extent of the accusation, though he would not call it guilt 

 and only begged, as a favour, that the execution of his sentence might 

 not be delayed. 



" I am sorry," said Mr. Fitzgerald, " that I must too surely comply 

 with your request. It is even the wish of your grey-headed and loyal 

 father, who is here to-day to testify his sorrow for having caused the ex- 

 istence of so degenerate and false a son." 



et Yes/' said Mr. Leslie, now speaking and turning to his unhappy son 

 for the first time ; but his voice faltered. " Yes George, he says right, 

 I am here to day by my own choice, I agree with your sentence, if it 

 was left to your father he would not reverse it, you're a traitor George 

 Leslie, you are a rebel, a leaguer with villains you are a leaguer with 

 villains you are not my son. Yes, let let them do it now, as soon 

 I'll look on, never fear bid him kneel there, soldiers come do your 

 God help me !" 



The old man could say no more, his hands were supported upon his 

 walking-stick which stood between his legs, and his forehead sunk down 

 upon his hands, his sobs were violent and convulsive, and Lord 

 Mauden suggested the propriety of executing the sentence elsewhere ; 

 but Mr. Fitzgerald was a man of little kindly feeling, or as govern- 

 ment afterwards represented him, a zealous and loyal magistrate, and his 

 orders were quickly obeyed. Leslie walked firmly to one side of the 

 hall, while the soldiers took their places on the other. He drew a white 

 handkerchief from his bosom, held it to his lips, and gently threw it to 

 the boy who had been remanded, and who still sat in the corner sobbing 

 and weeping piteously ; perhaps, he intended it as a parting token, to 

 be borne to some one far off. But the boy on receiving it, suddenly 

 checked his tears, and gazed wildly around. He beheld Leslie upon his 

 knees, one hand before his eyes ; he heard the words, et Father, I forgive 

 you Emma, farewell!" He saw the muskets of the soldiers levelled at 

 their victim, and waiting but the deadly signal, with a loud wild shriek 

 he sprang forward, and clasping George round the neck, fell dead to the 

 earth with him, pierced by the same bullets. Almost at the same in- 

 stant that young Leslie fell, his father dropped from his chair to the 

 ground, on his face and hands. When they took him up, he was no 



