The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-08-19

command. 1ley auCclpate lfOuDIe VIII
the Indians. God knows how hate to
leave you, my precious little wife, but
there is no alternative. I must start
within twenty four hours.
Leave me?" / cried, starting to my
feet and throwing myself sobbingly on
his breast. ''Tou shall not leave mel
Take me with you, Roger, or you viii
break nay heart.
"Child, it would be madness for you
to undertake the hardships OF frontier
life. I cannot consent"
But pleaded SO pitifully that at last,
reluctantly but gladly, he promised We
should start on the evening of the next
day.
When I had time to think it over, / re-
membered he had said the post was under
Col. Lakes command. l shuddered.-
He it was, doubtless, whose influence had
ordered my husband from my side, since
he had not dreamed of my accompanying
him. Oh, what further evil might he not
work him2 Was it 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 at
him through me.
Our journey lasted three weeks. Twas
worn and exhausted at its close. The
colonel himself met our ambulance on
its arrival.
'You have brought your wife l heard
him say, in amazed tones, in answer to
some remarks of Rogers after the first
greeting. "We will do all we can to
make her comfortable, but it is very lit
tie. Besides"
He added something in voice SO low
that | failed to catch it.
\ moment later I caught sight of his
face as Roger lifted me down in his arms.
I almost cried in my surprise. His hair,
which had been black as ravens wing
one short year ago, was almost white
He looked fully fifty years of age. The
sight caused my fear and resentment to
vanish, and held out my hand.
"Won't you welcome me, colonel3" I
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
near.
saw very little of him in the weeks
that followed. They were weeks full of
excitement, for the Indians were constant
ly molesting Us, and fears were entertain
ed that they were meditatirg an attack.
Indeed, they had expected one on the
very night Of our arrival, and this is what
the colonel had confded to my husband.
Still, in spite of all, was glad to be
here. Away from Roger, should have
sickened Of suspense. Now was by his
side, to meet and know the worst.
"Why are not Lake and you better
friends?" he said to me one day. 81 can
not understand it.
Nor could I explain, now that had
kept silent 50 long; besides, my distrust
was wearing away. Although distant
and reserved, quietly repulsing all my
felt that Col. Lake would
work Roger no active wrong.
Until one morning my sophistries fed.
The Indians had made q sortie. No one
knew their numbers or their strength
It was necessary to send out an advance
guard from our little garrison, though
each man who went well knew he might
never return.
At II o'clock my husband, to my amaze.
ment, entered my room in full uniform.
Goodbye, little Bel" he said. "Pray
for my safe return, dear. am ordered
to command the advanced"
''You shall not gol' cried wildly
''It is his revenge! Fool that I have been
to have trusted him!"
''My darling calm yourself. What do
you meanl"
"Wait here q moment" l exclaimed.
Leaving him transfxed with astonish-
meut L few across to the colonel's room.
He was buckling on his sword as I en-
tered.
"You have done this thing" I began;
'.you have seen how happy am, and
you must convert it into agony. Rescind
your orders-leave me my husbandl I
throw myself at your feet, at your mercy.
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"
$50, if it must be, to your DEATH" I
answered cruelty. "You haveno right to
drag my husband with you. He shall
not go"
But words were useless, though I fan
eied as he turned away, saw tear
glimmering in his eye.
Still 1 pleaded, clinging to Rogers
neck, when he crossed in search of me.
At last they tore him from my seuse-
less form, and when l recovered concious-
ness they were far beyond the reach of
my entreaties, but not my prayers, sent
to a higher throne.
"Punish him, o Godr cried in my
agony, "but spare my husband and bring
him back to me. Hesaid / should suffer.
Ah, what was his suffering to this intol-
cradle torture and suspensel
The day wore slowly on. At nightfall,
when my brain was bursting, we hear,
the note of distant bugle. Some, at
least, of the little band had returned.
Like white statue ] went forth to
neet them. They came slowly, bringing
with them some shrouded forms. Among
the latter knew / should find nv hus-
=