The Osceola times., 1880-09-18

my side, since he had not dreamed of |
my accompanying him. Oh, what fur
ther evil might he not work him? Was
il not my duty to tell Roger all and warn |
him against him? Ny courage failed
me-I would wait and watch. At least
he should only strike ut him through
me.
Our journey lasted three weeks. |
was worn and exhausted at its close.
The colonel himself met oar ambulance
on its arrival.
"You have brought your wife?" ]
heard him say in amazed tones, in an
swer to some remarks of Rogers, after
the first greeting. 1--WE will do all we
can to make her comfortable, but it is
very little. Besides"
He added something in voice SO low
that failed to catch il.
A moment later caught sight of his
face as Roger lifted me down in his
arms. almost cried out in my surprise.
His hair, which had been black as a
ravens wing one short year ago, was al
most white. He looked fully fifty years
of age. The sight caused my fear and
resentment to vanish and held out my
hand.
wont you welcome me, Colonel"
said.
He bowed without seeming to notice
my outstretched hand, murmured some
courteous words of greeting, then turned
away to give command to an orderly
standing near.
saw very little of him in the weeks
that followed. They were weeks full of
excitement, for the Indians were con-
ofo ptlv ynnlautipu npI fnoro ,para ON
tertained that they were meditating an
attack. Indeed, they had expected one
on the very night of our arrival, and this
was what the colonel confided to my
husband.
Still, spite of ALL | was glad to be here.
Away from Roger, l should have sick
ened of suspence. Now l was by his
side, to meet and know the worst.
why are not you and Lake better
friends?" he said to me one day. 81
cannot understand it."
Nor could explain, now that bad
kept silence so long; besides, my distrust
was wearing away. Although distant
and reserved, quietly repulsing all my
advances, felt that Col. Lake would
work Roger no active wrong
Until one morning my sophistries fled.
The Indians had made sortie. No one
knew their number or their strength.
1t was necessary to send out an lvance
guard from our little garrison, though
each man who went well knew he might
never return.
At IL o'clock my husband, to my
amazement, entered my room in full
uniform.
Goodbye, little Bel" he said. "Pray
TOR my safe return, dear. | am ordered
to command the ADVANCED
You shall not go!" cried, wildly. at
is his revenge! Fool that l have been
to have trusted him!"
"My darling, calm yourself. What do
you mean?"
"Wait here moment" / exclaimed.
| Leaving him transfxed with astonish-
ment, flew across to the colonePs
room.
He was buckling on his sword as en-
tered.
"You haye done this thing" began;
''you have seen how happy l am, and
| you must convert it into agony. Rescind
your orders-leave me my husband-I
throw myself at your feet. at your mer-
cy."
81 would have spared him if l could.
He is the only officer at the post capable
of just this attack. accompany him,
Mrs. Lee. The danger is divided, and
equal for both"
"Go, if it must be, to your death!'
answered cruelty. "You have no right
to drag my husband with you. He shall
not go!"
But words were useless, though fan
| p,n1 ha tnrnnI /
glimmering in his eye.
Still | pleaded, clinging to Rogers
neck, when he crossed in search of me
At last they tore him from my sense
less form, and when | recovered con.
sciousness they were far beyond the
reach of my entreaties, but not my
pra yers. sent to higher throne.
Punish him, o Godp' | cried in my
agony, "but spare my husband, and
bring HIM back TO me. He said should
suffer. All, was his suffering to this in
tolerable torture and suspense"
the day wore slowly on. At night
fall, when my brain was bursting, We
heard the note of distant bugle. Some
at least, of the little band had returned
Like white statue | went forth to meet
them. They came slowly, bringing with
them some shrouded forms. Among the
latter | knew that / should find my
husband. even as, finding him, knew
| should go mad.
But nol Leading the van he came
sitting on his horse, though in his eyes
there smiled no welcome, and on his
face was a CHASTITY pallor; but he wa.
here and was not widowed wife.
: | threw myself on the neck of tho
horse; kissed his name, his forehead
l clung to Roger in my wild joy at see
ing him again.
"You are alive-you are alive!"
said, over and over.
"Yes," he answered." but at what {
cost A man to-day has given up hi
life for me-
He sprang from his horse then, ant
led me to the litter in the rear. Tn,
white, dead face of Col. Lake looked W
at us both.
I'VE have killed him, Be-you and ], >
my husband said. He was the nobles
man that ever lived"
And then he told me all the story. Ht
had ridden on little in advance of the
command, when he suddenly had beer
surrounded by the foe. Fight despcr
ately as he would, he would soon have
been overpowered, but that the Colone
had seen his danger. Squirting his
horse ahead of his men, he had flown tc
his rescue, charging down in the very
midst of a shower of arrows.
at was deed worthy god" my hus.
band continued. | thought we were
both unhurt, almost miraculously So
We were beating retreat to our COM
| r l,.