Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-04-20

ton ceased; she extended her hand to
him, which b. grasped in both his and
raised to his lips. The next moment
he had drawn her to his breast and
kissed her face passionately and re-
peatedly, she rot resisting When
Camlion saw this a boarse cry broke
from him, and he strobe forward step
with fire in his heart There he
stopped a cold aud torpid feeling came
over him he turned about, and, slug
gishly at first, then more rapidly,
made his way back to the camp.
A little before noon next day Cam
lion, Bolton, and myself, and another
man. Hayden by name-a reckless,
daredevil fellow, who had volunteered
for the post of danger on the occasion
moved silently and cautiously down
toward the fatal spot on the rivers
brink The adventure was kept strict
secret, for since the night previous there
had been whispers of treachery in the
camp. and we knew not where to look
for the traitor among us. II was of
course, indispensable to the success of
our plan that the sbarpshooter should
have no suspicion of there being more
than one person in the neighborhood.
Keeping heedfully behind cover, we
crawled along, and at length lay hidden
in the bushes a few yards from the
place. Then Camlion, with Hayden in
his charge, slipped little way down
toward the left, until they were con-
cealed from sight by the intervening
shrubbery. Belton got his rifle in
readiness, and | made my preparations
to do all that could he done for Haydon,
as soon as the enemy's bullet had struck
him. When last caught sight Of the
poor fellow there was drop about the
corners of his mouth, and a yellow pal
Tor in his cheeks which showed that he
was not insensible to the gravity of the
situation. But Camlion had taken care
TO bring flask of brandy along with
him, and a qniet, steady cheerfulness
of demeanor that was perhaps a better
cordial still.
Left to ourselves, Belton and / had
nothing to do but to wait and we did
wait for what seemed to US many intol-
erab.e minutes. The river lapsed
smoothly and silently by, bird skim
med over the surface; u breath of wind
rustled the leaves over our heads. /
began to fear lest the suspense should
make Belton,s hand unsteady. Just
then a halfsmothered exclamation
reached our ears from the direction of
our unseen companions. and almost
with it the sound of
heavy step passing from the bushes to
the open margin of the stream. Tie
time was come. Belton crouched with
rife at his shoulder; our eyes were
fastened on the opposite bank. Sud-
denly a white puff of smoke leaped
forth-a sharp fiat report like the
cracking of c whip; then the low, un-
thud of a bullet striking its
quarry. The stricken man staggered
and fell, still out of our sight. could
we have had eyes for him then. But
ali depended upon our absolute immo,
bility during the next few moments.
The white smoke drifted down to wind
ward Before it had passed away
saw the figure for which we were lying
in wait emerge quietly from its covert
On the other side and stand revealed.
At the same instant the bang of Bel
tons rife rent the stiffness, yet had
time to remark something inexplicably
familiar in that alert, graceful form
not compatible with its blue
beted blouse and high boots. And
what happened next? To me it seemed
like an ugly, tumultuous dream. | re-
member leaping down through the
bushes to the waters edge. l remem-
ber seeing Hayden, alive and unhurt,
Camlion's dying head on
his knee, while he tore open the front
of his uniform, and disclosed the shirt
stained with blood. remember Bel.
ton, with CHASTITY face and sobbing
breath. tearing loose the painter of q
small skiff that was moored close at
hand, aud putting off with frantic haste
across the stream. And | knoY-but
how can tell-that he was going to
fetch the body of the woman be loved,
and whom he bad slain. For the fa-
nous sharpshooter OF the R.pidan was
Rosalind Capel.
She was still living when they
brought her in, bnt she had been hit
in the right side aud was fast
TO death. But she smiled as
we lifted her out, and her voice, though
very faint was distinct and composed.
Lay me by Captain Camlion she
said i shall like to lie beside him.
Had you no more worthless man in
your army, but you must lime me with
a man like him
Il was the one you were to have
bad, said Hayden, but at the moment
the captain flung me down and went
forward himself. 1t was too late to
help it then. God knows | am sorry 7,
and he burst into tears as he said
il.
Rosalnd smiled strangely and NOV
I'd her hand until it touched Camlion's.
Captain Camlion acted like the hero
be always ways, she said, now almost
Il loved him-never any
,ne else-never you, you double trail
,or + she added, turning her dsrkening
eyes on Belton, who knelt in voiceless
despair before her. Last night you
sold your adopted country for kiss
Her eyes half closed for moment and
'he breathed stertorously. She opened
hem once more, turned her face toward
Jamlion. and made an effort to lift his
,and TO her lips. 1 helped her to ac-
,omplisb her purpose. Thanks !, she
Il am not fit to kiss his
mouth buff he were alive-I would
lsk his leave-And-hi pardon.
She did not speak after this, and in
! few minutes she died very quietly.
Among Camlion's papers was found
letter to Bolton, explaining bis object
n sacrificing himself You are my