Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-11-07

Tor the peace of my soul if she dares tx
think OF another. And you, you have
sworn you did not know what I wanted
you to do but you have sworn it by The
white Christ above us!'' 81 <SssE.a
[ CASTOR feared that his friends reason
was tottering, for these last words were
in q wild and threatening tone. He fell
a strange sort OF chill creeping into his
blood, as he said: -
Yes. [ have sworn" ,g..S4s =.
"You will tell Claire all, and if she
ever thinks of marrying another you vii
prevent it."
II will do all can" murmured Gas.
ton, with a shudder.
you must prevent i'll" echoed RATE
"But how?" y ...."
RATE murmured something unintel.
ligible. Grafton bent down his ear te
hear him speak. These words came tc
him clear, low and distinct:
Il If there is no other. way, you must
kill the man!'' 10. ~ j.
CASTOR started back with cry.
"But that would be murder. I can
not be an .assassln!"
*"You can make it duel" said RATE,
family. "You will do it for you have
sworn"
CASTOR fell back as if he had been
struck by a blow; all his senses reeled
What madness Was this to which he had
pledged himself in such a solemn way
A moan from his friend aroused him.
"Qnick!" gaspsd Rafe, as
though he were wrestling with
some unseen power that was hurrying
him away; "there is no time to
lose. Havc given my life for you,
and you hesitate 10 risk anything for
me, to give me peace in this dark hour
I leave my darling forever, and you,
you are the cause. Speak she must be
mine in eternity. Speak,"
Il will keep the VOW, said CASTOR
with slow and painful utteranco; "be
at peace my friend"
A faint smile came to the lips Of the
dying man. A wan moon drifted out
from dim cloud and threw pallid
light upon his face. 1t showed the gray
shadow Of death settling there, and the
infinite love and pity of the white Christ
on the cross above him. CASTOR buried
his face in his hands, and sohbed aloud.
There was riot of roses in that gar
den. The dusty, travel-stained man
who made his way through them no.
ticed how luxurlantly they had wandered
about while he had been away. Twi-
light was coming on, but the roses made
a glow in the green gloom. He heard
sound of gay voices, too, and laugh
SO fresh and young and joyous that it
made him start as if smitten with sud-
den pain. He had not laughed since a
certain night. when he had seen the dead
body of his friend borne away. A turn
in the path brings gray stone balcony
in sight. and the next moment some one
seated there starts with cry of Joy.
ooh, my son my son!"
His mothers arms are about him, and
something like tear touches his sun
burnt cheek.
ooh, CASTOR, you look haggard and
changed! You have lost your youth. "
"Such scenes make men old mother,
said the young soldier. "Don't speak
Of the war just yet. I want to rest for
little to get courage for the task. l
am so glad you are not alone. + heard
voices and laughter.
Eyes, Merle is here" in q lower
tone. II know you don't like him, and
he is really more insufferable than ever
with his conceit; but he's full of fun,
and the place was so lonely with
out you. Then I have sur
prise for you. I knew you loved
Rate, SO went over two or three weeks
ago to see his wife. She's pretty lit
tie thing, and seemed moped. 7 brought
her here for change. It has done her
good, and she's as merry as q cricket.
I'll call her; you can give her news Of
RATE"
Ills wife!" faltered CASTOR, stunned
at the news; "his wife here?"
"Of course; nothing more natural.
We moaned our lot together. At least,
I'm afraid I did the most Of the moan
ing. She is not the moaning kind.
She's like a day in June, all blossom
and sunshine and song.
CASTOR sat down on rustic seat on
the balcony, and his mothers voice
sounded far off, He feltthe weight of
his mission upon him.
"But you need not see either Of them
till you are rested, poor boy" his moth
er said, eagerly, looking at the haggard
face. And then she had the keen pleas
ure of waiting on her darling, making
him eat, seeing him enjoy the old room
Of his boyhood, and telling him all
about her life. since he went.
! "Now, must go to Claire, she said :;
"it's selfish in me not to go and give her
the good news. I suppose Rafe will
soon be here. Why didn't you come
together?' q
A look of pain came into Gaston's
face that made his mother cry out !:
why, he's not ill, is hep
enc; he's we'll better than any
of us. He'll = never be ill again.
Oh, mother, he's dead! Dear old
Rates. gone, and I wish I had gone
instead i He took my shot. He
went in my place. How can face his
wife and tell her the story. She will
hate me when she knows ALI" - i =.
The tears came into Madame La
Farge's eyes. r "No CASTOR, do not
think So It is terrible news, but Claire
would not be SO unjust as to regard you
with dislike for it. Shall tell her ?"
No; I promised" exclaimed CASTOR.
II must do all poor RATE asked,
since he gave his life for mel" Es
I, We'll, wait awhile. Don't be in q
hurry with the evil tidings. Poor
Claire is SO happy, she does not feel a
fear. s :, s5@
So happy" said CASTOR, "and her
husband away, exposed to the peril Of
war Y 55.s u + 4 =
She has not deep nature, you know,
but 7 won't tell You Of her. 7 don't
want to judge her. Only rest, my boy
you look too wan and miserable"