The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-18

| InrOuXu me tnen was WTnOut Cause IN redHOxl-
twas the greeting my senses gave to that tone ana
Then i knew it was Boadlcea VINO supported my
she had found the mask Of brandy Don Miguel had
given me, and she held 1t to my lips. the few drops
swallowed gave me strength.
In 2 moment was able to SIT up unsupported.
though WINS not eager to leave the arm that had
strange. the night had grown lighter. looked
| the heavens. and low down was the yellow moon In
space OF deep Glue sky. could not see the house.
saw no lurid light heard no cracking OF burning
"Tell me p, murmured, OF last, looking back to
w nonns % @ NY Ga d
rdcally; None Of those men noticed the coming
M Tsy Ms g. the ns q
II has been fearful time They fanSied Heaven
| victorsn
There was silence for little time. Twas thinking
knowledge OF all things.
.Tnere was knife raised above me-" said.
'I6ad the good luck to avert the stroke" she an
swered.
"At such ms risk sp p exclaimed leaning forward
An expression Of pain went over her face as
for myself came TO me, making my heart tremble
and stop for an instant; and in that fear was some
/ let her hand fall rose to sitting position
and looked eagerly at her.
..sYou are hurt and for me- cried. ooh, why
did you not go when you could ~
II am only hurt lttle,' she said. 'Did you
think l. could desert comrades What an idea you
The light tone, the smile, did not wholly conceal
the pain she was suffering. Vivid and rational
I rose to my feet though my head was light aud
unsteady. for moment, as dld SO.
"Why did you not leave me and find shelter ?"
cried, angrily. ut Is suicide for you to have been
sitting here in this dampness Your clothes are
wet Wet, Let me take you away Wecan surely find
She was leaning bacK against the tree, and IL tho
moonlight fancled saw painful langu0r on her
'The house may again receive usn she said, in q
low voice. "iou know the rain extingulshed the
1 looked about me. Now saw that we were near
the houss-that Nox stood quietly, under the shell
"Can You walk r' asked. extending my hand to
rising. Evidently the strain that mad been upon
mind and body was beginning to tell in the reac-
tlon, and did not know how badly she was
we walked toward the house; 1t was but little
ways, for we had been under the nearest tree. We
did not speak word as we went. The wing OF the
mansion was blackened ruin, put fortunately the
main body had escaped; the drawing room was
uninjurcd, and knew that B0adcea's thoughts
were upon her horse.
she raised ner voice and spoke, and q low wh,nny
answered her. The W0man'S face melted al that,
and tears gathered and iell.
Neither Of US spoke until we were within the house.
and had made her lie down on couch in one Of
the rooms. hunted Tor match and candle, and
at last found them.
Every moment but increased my alarm and anx-
lcty must know how badly she was hurt.
knet down by her side, as she lay there with her
eyes haif closed. She looked at me and smiled
"You see.'' she said, s.that am but woman,
after ALL with woman's nerves, that VIII become un.
strung confess that feel ut this moment on the
very brink OF hystercs."
"ln consideration that you have saved my life,"
said, II believe can pardon you II you Yield"
"But have no sal volatilc,'' she responded, with
a slight motion oil her left hand. "DO you not see
hat N hal ~
l cannot tell what charm there was In that sort
of desperate lightness OF manner which knew con-
cealed a piercing palma physical pain that was
And saw that she had told the tru,h-that If she
yielded but one particle she would become hyste
''Your jests hurt me-" said. "Let me look at
your arm. Now we have light, see that your
sleeve Is drenched in bloodthat 1t drips from your
wrist. Let me see it."
Il spoke imperativey, and she extended her hand,
80, "i you will bind it up tightly think twin do
Win my knife cut open the clinging sleeve. The
white, beautiful arm, so stained with blood rested
on my hand. just above the elbow | saw where the
bullet had been-cear through the flesh and out
again, leaving an ugly hole. but was glad the
bullet was out II II had not been that she was SO
wet ana chilled, should not have feared the fever
that dreaded now.
But did fear 1t now, with an intensity Of alarm
that strove in vain to suppress. anu winch made
me tremble as carefully and tightly bound up the
wound
she was living back with her eyes closed, ana she
seemed Us II yielding to kind OF stupor. every
few minutes she shlyered, as If with unconquerable
There must be some kind OF clothing left In the
n ouse--every thing could not have been taken.
sag Loudly a a as s WaSening one from
find some Kind of clothing. twill save time IL I
know where to look.n
gesture, pointing to the next room.
s.Au there Is IS In there,n she said.
The next minute was rummagIng among pile
OF Cast on clothes lying In corner In the next
brought an armful and put them down by her.
Il command you to put some OF these on imme-
diatey," saiu. II lear more Tor your wet dress |
than your wound"
she reused herself, as II to obey, and as | was |
leaving the room she said:-
And your You must do the same"
lett her, and succeeded in finding pair OF wide.
white trousers, and gay coored vest that must |
have belonged to servant. Coat could not lind, |
and wrapped myself In u shawl. In spite of the |!
warmth Of the hight was chilly, ana felt nervous
Inclination TO shlver, not merely rom Tie cold.
Hall an hour later Knocked at 3oadicea's door. |
No answer came, anu yentured to open the door. |
She had taken OF her wet dress, and was lying |
wrapped up closely, her head turned from me.
Thinking she was asleea, / advanced silently.
thinking would SIT down and watch there know
ing that could not sleep anywhere
she stirred uneasIly, aud spoke with a piercing |
entreaty:-
.Do not usc your power Be generous You wish
me to love you, do you.o
she moaned piteous!y as she ceased speaking. l
could not help I'll knew that her words or her life
sword had suddenly pierced me.
stood stu moment, undecided whether to 60
OF lfOW Wei remembered those words In
the after time when something OF their meaning
was plain to me.
We'll was II for both Of us that we did not know
what awaited rs. Could We have foreseen all the
agony unutteraole should we have trod on In the
path we had entersd7
was turning to 60 out, thinking ] would sit
down i'll Tile next room, when she moved, turned
her face toward me- ana smiled she saw NY
strange costume.
Il must have been asleep,- she said "a bent
over he; her. "is there norther blowing? IL is
feaTfuy coqi"
She shiycrea convusivcly as she spoke. piled
all inc heterogeneous clothes could ind upon her.
ut is suitry night,r sad "Dut you have taken
cold.p
touched her head. IL was burning and throb-
bng. Her large anu dilated eyes met mine, aud in
them was such an ulconsciousy appealing look thai
felt my face suddenly lush, my fps trempe with
something more than mere sympathy.
Did she guess the power She had over me? the |
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