The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-10

exchanged
again, and this time-the bean was black. And
so it went on, till the last bean was drawn. Then
| the condemned there were fifteen of theml were
formed in line and the firing party took their
places. They fired one round. and just then
there came rattle of musketry from above.
We were in little ravine. and our own troops
had come up without their approach being dis
covered. The tables were turned pretty quickly,
can tell you, but for all that the firing party IN
that first round had done some deadly work.
Ten out of the fifteen men were killed or badly
wounded. And that is how Tom was shot
Lynn gave of his keen chances at Patty's
face he ended his blunt story, and what he
read there made him more than ever sure that
if Toms life had indeed been given for Walkers.
she would have thought her lovers safety far too
dearly bought.
81 did not think Cousin Walker was acoward,'
she said slowly.
Nor is he.' said Lynn quickly. 'He never
fnehed in battle. and besides all this happened
SO quickly that there time for argu-
ment. even if Tom hadn't been as resolute as he
was"
Walker should have told me how it hap
rened" Patty went on, still speaking very
slowly, as if she felt it not quite right to blame
her lover to another. She made further COM
| ment. then, but made up her mind that she could
not and would not keep her engagement with
| Walker. She wrote to him that afternoon, tell
ing him she had something to say which must
be said at once. He came out after tea, evident
ly disturbed by her message, and at the earliest
| opportunity asked what was the important com
munication Patty wasted no time in irrelevant
talk, but came straight to the point"
| Il wish to tell you," she said, that I find it
| impossible for me to fulfill our engagement,
| therefore ask you to release me from it."
! AS she spoke she drew his ring from her finger
and laid it before him, Walker did not touch it.
He said slowly:
81 am at a loss to account for this decision,
| Fatty. You will not refuse me an explanation
AT this very natural question Patty showed
herself embarrassed, and remained silent
What have !! done, or not doneP pursued
Walker, in an injured tone. If have seemed
remiss in my duties as lover, did not you par
| ticuarly desire that should not be too deyoted?"
Il have no faultto find with your performance
| of your duties as lover said Patty, serenely,
but think, as man, you should be above pre-
| with me. cousin Walkers"
He flushed guiltily, but replied as calmly as
he could:
II have certainly endeavored to be So"
| "Why-did you not tell me the truth when
asked you about Cousin Tom? have heard the
story since"
Prom Alex suppose, said Walker angrily.
mot from Cousin Alex. 1t doesn't matter
from whom heard it-truthfully, said Patty,
| severely. When asked you about it, why did
you omit so much in your accountp
Because Tom asked me not to tell you his
part in it," replied Walker, but unfortunately
| for him Patty did not feel sure that he was
| speaking truly. And yet he was. Patty made
no reply, but her face was eloquent
TON acted nobly. did he not2" said Walker,
breaking the akward silence.
| "Far more noby than the man who accepted
the sacrifice She rose as he spoke, and added:
Il think we have said enough about it, however,
especially" with significant emphasis ''as
| Cousin Tom asked you not to speak of it,"
| II should like to know what all this has to do
| with your wish to break off our engagement"
| said Walker. rising, too. Patty" and bis tone
became suddenly eloquent with feeling, 'do you
doubt my love for you, or must l doubt yours
| for me?"
Il am tired of it ALL Cousin Walker" cried
| Patty, with quiet catching of the breath as she
slipped away from the arm about to encircle her
waist; II don't love you'll never did-any more
| than you loved me-"
But, Patty" began Walker thinking of the
| tears she had shed when she told him good-by
at the beginning of the war, and not able to
| reconcile that memory with her present declara-
ton -
Don't talk any more about it," she inter-
rupted; Il did wrong to promise to marry you,
| but would rather die than keep that promise"
| That's explicit enough" muttered Walker
| angrily. II suppose you will transfer that
promise to Tom if you have not already"
| THAT will do Patty said, in her stateliest
| tone ut is fortunate for you that he has not
been given the right to protect me from insult"
him alone, to curse his ill-luck The fortune
! Cor which he had sacrificed the best love of his
| life had slipped from him when it seemed Just
within his grasp AS he galloped homewards,
he made a resolve which he lost no time in car
| rying out; ard the next day found him al Cousin
Henrietta's side, pleading his cause with all the
| ardOr of his nature.
Dear Cousin Walker" said Henrietta coolly.
| while smile of malicious triumph danced in her
| eyes, II would be delighted to oblige you, but
| I've made solemn resolution that would never
| be anybodys second choice for a wife-if knew
| itm
II loved you first and last; I swear it," he re-
| turned. IF you knew how often have wished
| I cOrl6 n honor he chaiu-n
| IA gilded chain, Cousin WalkerW she said,
| satirically. ut never seemed to crush you with
its weight"
Gould show how much chafed against it.
Thank Heaven, she herself has broken 1T
Never mind" said Henrietta, with hooking
sympathy, neither you nor she are likely to pine
| away discOnsolate."
| Not l." answered Walker ''But, Henrietta.
may not hope"
She seemed determined not to let him finish
sentence
"For an invitation to my weddingg Certainly.
I shall expect all the cousins. Didn't you know
that |. too, had pledged my faith to soldier
| laddie long ago9'
"Who has won you from me2" cried Walker.
an anguish that was not assumed shaking his
voice. Henrietta stood up with an air of indig
nant scorn. Her voice was full of the same con-
tempt.
mo one," she answered. 'No one, for was
never yours. Do you think have not read
your character and seen through your pitt
| luI SuoteEluSoSs Iou Spcdh 6Lo lrutH III one
thing-you do care for me if it is in your selfish
nature to for anyone. l know when you
first began to care for me. and if" her
voice quivered with the thrill of a long
buried memory, IF you had shown your
self worth loving, Cousin Walker, you might
have won me then / know how you weighed
love and wealth against each other. And then
you put thoughts of me aside, and set yourself
to win Cousin Patty. Why" with gesture of
indgnaton-"why should you subject Patty to
that INSULT AS if her money were all that made
her desirable And, having won her promise,
why couldn't you love herg"
Because loved YOU" said Walker passion
ately.
Her lips curled.
Loved me-" she said. "But not so we'll as
you loved yourself. Cousin Patty may be glad