The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-11-17

possession, and 50 they shortened it to
Be-and his voice trembled u little
| Ut Is very soon, darling, to remind you
THAT yoll are soldiers wife; but am
| ordered to report at once to Fort Co.,
under Colonel Lakes command. They
anticipate trouble with the Indians.
God knows how l hate to leave YOU,
my precious little wife, but there is no
alternative. l must start within twen-
ty-four hours.''
Leave mep" cried, starting to my
teeC and throwing myself sohbing upon
his breast. "You shall not leave mel
rake me with you, OF you will break
"Child, it would be madness for you
to undertake the hardships Of frontier
life. cannot consent"
But pleaded SO pitifully that at last,
reluctantly yet gladly, he promised we
Should start on the evening Of the next
day.
When had time to think it over, I
remembered he had said tho post was
under Colonel Lakes command. |
shuddered. lie 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 himY
Was 1T not my duty to tell Roger all,
and warn him against him2 My cour-
age failed me-l would wait and watch.
at least he should only strike at him
through NE.
Our journey lasted three weeks. l
was worn and exhausted at it's close.
| The colonel himself met our ambulance
on it's arrival.
| You have brought your wiIe?'
heard him say in amazed tones, in all
SWer TO some remarks OF Rogers, after
the first greeting. I'VE will do all we
can to make her comfortable, but it is
| very little. BeSides-''
lie added something in |; voice 50 low
| that failed to catch It.
n moment later caught sight of his
race, as Roger lifted me down in his
arms. almost cried out in my sur
PRISE. Ills hair, which had been black
as the ravens wing one short year ago,
was almost white. lie looked fully
lltty years Of age. The sight caused
my fear and resentment to vanish, and
L held out my ha:id.
W. ont you welcome me, Co]onelY'
/ said.
my outStreLched hand, u,urmureu some
courteous words OF greeting, then turned
away, TO give command toaD orderly
standing hear.
saw very little Of him in the weeks
that followed, They were weeks full
OF excitement, for the Indians were
constantly molcsting us, and fears were
entertained that they were meditatlng
all attack. Indeed, they had expected
one on the very night OF our arrival,
ana this was what the Colonel had con-
Gded to my husband.
Still, spite Of all, l WAS glad to be
here. Away from Roger | should have
sickened OF suspense. Now J. was by
his side to meet and know the worst.
NV ny are not you and Lake better
frlcnds?" he said to me one day. II
cannot understand iC.n
Nor could | explain, now that kept
silence so long; besides, the distrust
was wearing away. Although distant
and reserved, Quietly repulsing all my
advances, L felt that Colonel Lake
would work Roger no wrong.
Until one morning my sophistries
fled. The Indians had made a sortie.
No one knew their numbers or their
strength. 1t was necessary to send out
an advance guard from our little gar
rison, though each man who went we'll
knew that he might never return.
At II O'Clock my husband, to NV
amazement, entered my room in full
uniform.
"Good-bye, little Bel" he said. "Pray
for my safe return, dear. am ordered
to command the advanced"
You shall not gol' [ cried wildly.
''lt is his revengel Fool that have
been to have trusted him."
My darling, calm yourself. What
DO you mean.''
"WaiL here a m0mentl' | exclaimed.
Leaving linn lranSliXed with aStOn-
ishmcnt, flew across to tho coionel's
room.
Iio was buckling on his sword ,s |
entered.
"iou have done this thing" began;
you have seen how happy | am, and
you must convert it into agony. Res.
clnd your ordors---leavo me to my hus-
bandl L throw myself at your feet, at
your mercy"
IL would have spared him if could.
He is the only ollicor at the post cap
able or just this attack. accompany
him, Mrs. Lee. The danger is divided,
and equal for both."
"Go, If 1t must be, to your deathp'
L answered, cruelty. "You have no
right to drag my husband with you.
He shall not gop'
But words were useless, though |
fancicd, as he turned away, | saw a tear
glimmering in his eye,
Still / pleaded, clnging to Rog er's
neck, when ho CROSSED in search Of me.
At last they tore him from my sense
less form, and when / recovered con.
| sciousncss they were far beyond the
reach of my cntreatios, but not my
prayers sent to a higher throne.
"Punish him, Oh Godl' cried, in
my agony, but spare my husband and
bi ing him back tome. lie said should
suffer. All, what was his suffering to
this intolcrabc torture and suspense?"
The day wore slowly on. AT night
fall when my brain was bursting, we
| heard the note Of Il distant buglc.
! Some, at least, OF the little band had re.
turned.
Like white statue, went forth to
meet them. They came slowly, bring