River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-02-03

heart. Then he stopped; cold and
torpid feeling came over him; he turn
ed about and sluggishly 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 a
strict secret, for since the night pre-
vious, there had been whispers of
treachery in the camp, and we knew
not where to look for the traitor among
us. 1t was, CT course, indispensable to
the success of our plan that the sharp
shooter should have no suspicion of
the being more than one person in the
neighborhood. Keeping heedfully be-
hind 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 a
little way down toward the left, until
they were concealed from our sight by
the intervening shrubbery Bolton got
his rifle in readiness, and / made my
preparations to do all that could be
done for Hayden, as soon as the
l last caught sight of the poor fellow
there was droop about the corners of
his mouth, and yellow pallor in his
cheeks, which showed that he was not
insensible to the gravity of the situa-
ton. But Camlion had taken care to
bring flask of brandy along with him,
and quiet, steady cheerfulness of de-
meanor that was, perhaps, a better
cordial still.
Left to ourselves, Bolton and | had
nothing to do but to wait; and we did
want for what seemed to us many in
tolerable minutes. The river lapsed
smoothly and silently by; a bird skim
med over the surface; 4 breath of wind
rustled the leaves over our heads. |
began to fear lest the suspense should
make Belton's hand unsteady. Just
then half-smothered exclamation
reached our ears from the direction of
our unseen companions, and almost 81
simultaneously with it the sound of a
heavy step passing from the bushes to
the open margin of the stream. The
time was come. Bolton crouched with
his rifle at his shoulder; our eyes were
fastened on the opposite bank. Sudden
ly a white puff of smoke leaped forth
sharp, fla report, like the cracking
of a whip; then the low, unmistakable
thud of bullet striking its quarry.
The white smoke drifted down to the
windward Before it had passed away
| saw the figure for which we were ly-
ing in wait emerge quietly from its
covert on the other side and stand re-
vealed. At the same instant yet | had
time to remark something inexplicab-
ly familiar in that alert, graceful form
something not compatible with its
blue-belted blouse and high boots. And
what happened next? To me it all
seemed like an ugly, tumultous dream.
remember seeing Hayden, alive and
unhurt, supporting Camlion's head
on his knee, while he tore
open the front of his uniform,
and disclosed the shirt stained with
blood | remember Bolton, with his
CHASTITY face and sobbing breath, tear
ing loose the painter of small skiff
that was moored close at hand, and
putting off with frantic haste across the
stream. And knew-but how | can
not tell-that he was going to fetch the
body of the woman he loved, and whom
he had slain. For the famous sharp
shooter of the Rapidan was Rosalind
Capel.
She was still living when he brought
her in; but she had been hit MORALLY
in the right side, and was fast bleeding
to death But she smiled as We lifted
her out md her voice, though very
faint, was distinct and composed.
Lay me by Capt. Camlion," she
said, 81 shall like to die beside him.
Had yoH no more worthless men in
your army, but you must line me with
a man like him p
81 was the one you were to have
had" said Hayden; "but at the mo-
ment the captain flung me down and
went forward himself. 1t was to late
to help it then. God knows / am sor-
ry" and he burst into tears as he said
Rosalind smiled strangely, and NOV
ed her hand until it touched Camlion's.
Capt. Camlion acted like the hero
he always was" she said, now almost
inaudibly. II loved him-never any
one else-never you, you double trail
tor" she added, turning her darkening
eyes on Bolton, who knelt in voieeless
despair before her. 'Last night you
sold your adopted country for a kiss"
Her eyes half closed for a moment,
and she breathed stentorously. She
opened them once more, turned her
face toward Camlion, and made an eff
fort to lift his hand to her lips. / help
ed her to accomplish her purpose.
"Thank you" she whispered. II am
not fit to kiss his mouth; buff he
were alive-I would ask his leave-and
his pardon"
She did not speak after this, and in a
few moments she died very quietly.
Among Camlion's papers was found
letter to Bolton, explaining his object
in sacrificing himself "You are my
friend, !" it ran; II viii not stand be-
tween you and her, now that | know
you love each other; but | shall never
find a better time or cause to die III
than this"
Poor Bolton! He was acquitted by the
court-martial appointed to try him on
the charge of having given information
to the enemy; but fear there was that
in his memory which made the re-
mainder of his life more bitter to him
than any death,