The Republican journal., 1881-02-24

was to be found to show himself on the
bank and take the enemy's fire. Bolton
meanwhile was to conceal himself close al
hand, and as soon as the 'young fellow in
the straw hat" peered out of his ambush
to see the effect of his shot Bolton was tC
put {. mimic ball through his head. There
were only three things that might inter
tere with the successful prosecution of his
plan; the lack of volunteer prepared to
meet almost certain death; the possible
omission on the enemy's part to reveal
himself; and finally, the chance that
Bolton might, after all, miss his aim
Nevertheless, the Colonel gave his consent
that the thing should be tried, in default
OF any better suggestion and the fol-
lowing morning was appointed for the ex-
pertinent.
At six o'clock saw Camion leave his
tent and set off in the direction of oul
left. had already noticed Belton head
ing the same way about a quarter
OF an hour previous; and, putting this
and that together, | awaited the issue il
some suspense. But before seven o'clock
Camlion returned passed me with q
strange look on his face and without re-
VIZ AiiAS my SioONiliS, dlli lllilHtuId ltl
re-entered his tent, where, as was after
wards inferred, he must have spent q
great part Of the night in writing and ar
ranging some papers. What had happen
ed las nearly as can judge from subse-
quent Developments was this: He had
started with the intention of calling on
Rosallnd Capel at her house. The way
lay through a wood but Just before EN-
erglng from it into the open ground in
front OF the house he saw man and a
woman standing beneath the shade OF
some trees about fifty yards away The
man was Beton, the woman Rosalnd
Bolton was apparently speaking eagerly
and eXcitedly, ROsalind occasionally re-
plying briefly and moving her head as il
in assent. After a minute or two, Bolton
ceased; she extended her hand to him,
which he grasped in both of his and rails
ed to his lips. The next moment he had
drawn her to his breast and kissed hel
face passionately and repeatedly, she not
resisting. When Camlion saw this, a
hoarse cry broke from him. and he strobe
forward a step, with fire in his heart
Then he stopped: a cold torpid feeling
came over him; he turned about, and
slugglshly at first, then more rapidly,
made bis way back to the camp.
\ little before noon the next day, Cam
lion, Beltona and myself, and another man,
Haydon by name, a reckless, daredevil
fellow who had volunteered for the post
OF duty on the occasion, moved silently
ana cautiously down toward the fatal
spot Oh the rivers bank. 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. 1t was, of course, indispensable tC
the success of our plan that the sharp
shooter should have no suspicion of there
beng more than one person in the neigh
borho0d Keeping heedtully behind cov-
er, we crawled along, and at length lay
hidden in the bushes Il few yards from
the place. Then Camlion, with IIaydon
in his charge, slipped little way down
toward the left, until they were conceal
ed from our sight by the intervening
shrubbery. Bolton got his rifle in readi-
ness, and | made my preparations to do
all that could be done for Hayden, as
soon as the enemy's bullet had struck
him. When | last caught sight of the
poor fellow there was droop about the
corners Of his mouth, and a yellow pallol
in his checks, which showed that he was
not insensible to the gravity of the situa-
ton. But Camlion had taken care tc
bring flask Of brandy along with him,
and a quiet, steady cheertulncss' of de
meanor, that was, perhaps, a better cor
dial still.
Left to ourselves, Bolton and had
nothing to DO but to wait; and we did
wait for what seemed to US many intoler-
able minutes The river lapsed smooth
ly and silently by; 4 bird skinned ovel
the surface; a breath of wind rustled
over our heads. | began to fear, lest the
suspense should make Beton's hand I'M
steady. Just then Il half smothered eX-
clamatlOn reached our ears from the dl-
rectl0n OF our unseen companions, anC
almost simultaneously with it. the SOUND
OF heavy step passing from the bushes
to the open margin Of the stream. The
time was come. Beton crouched Will
his rifle at his shoulder; our eyes were
fastened on the opposite bank. Suddenly
a puff OF white smoke leaped forth -;
sharp, fiat report, like the cracking of &
whip; then the low, unmistakable thu(
of bullet striking its quarry. The
stricken man staggered and fell, still ou1
of our sight, could we have had our ewes
for him then. But all depended on oul
absolute immobility during the next few
moments. The white smoke drlted dowl
to Windward. Before it had passed away
| saw tie figure for which we were lying
It wait, emerge quietly from its covert Oh
the other side and stand revealed. Al
the same instant the bang of Belton:
rifle rent the stiffness; yet | had time t
remark something ineXplicably familiar
in that alert, graceful torm-somethins
not compatible with its blue belted BLOUSE
and high boots. And what happened
next? To me it seemed like an ugly
tumultuous dream. | remember leapins
down through the bushes to the waters
edge. | remember seeing Hayden, alive
and unhurt, supporting Camlion's dying
head on his knee, while he tore open the
front Of his uniform, and disclosed the
shirt covered with blood. | rememb.1
Bolton with ghastly face and sobbine
BREATH, tearing loose the painter Of {
small skitf that was mOOred close at hand
and putting with frantic haste across the
stream. And knew-but how cannot
tell-that he was going to fetch the body
OF the woman he loved, and whom he haC
slain. For the famous sharpshooter o
the Rapidan was Rosalind Capel.
She was still living when he brought
her in; but she had been hit mortally il
the right side, and was fast bleeding tC
death. But she smiled as we lifted hel
out, and her voice, though very faint
was distinct and composed.
'I.ay me by Caption Camlon," she
said ; ~ should like to die beside him
Had you no more worthless men in your
army, but you must lie me with a man
like him?"
~ was the one you were to have had,
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" and he burstin-
to tears as he said it.
ROsalind smiled strangely, and moved