The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-15

"I'm much fresher than you are, and I'll look
out for things outside white you take care OF
the prisoner"
Very good that III suit me exactly, for /
feel if couldn't move one foot after the
other"
Grimsted turned and went back into the
ROOM and Barnard started to go to where the
men were stationed.
Before he reached the piazza steps there was
arustle of skirts, and strong, soft hand caught
bis.
He turned and saw Jasnin's eyes blazing
through the halt-ight that prevailed where
they stood. a was standing back there in the
darkness and overheard ali" she said in an ex-
cited whisper. "Do you mean to say that you
are going 10 murder him?"
81 certainly am not going to murder any
body, Miss Oldri," said Barnard coldly
Don't trihe with me. You know what I
mean. Are you going to stand by and let that
cold blooded fcnd murder Gannaway?"
AZ haven't yet made up my mind that there's
going to be any execution or murder, as you
choose to term it. Grimsted S wrought up and
excited now. It's natural that he should be,
with a couple of his Sunday school scholars
lying out there dead or dying. But when
morning comes. and he looks at the matter in
the clear sunlight of tomorrow, l feel sure that
his feeling will be modified and he will tone
down"
But if he does not?"
a haven't decided what to do Though I'm
an older officer than Grimsted, his commission
as Captain is senior to mine, for I've really only
| been Lieutenant until recently so that he
ranks me. and can, within certain limits, do as
| he pleases without my interference"
| 60 I've no patience with all this lingo about
rank and seniority. What nonsense it is to
talk about that when mans life S in danger
l ask you plainly, Are you going to allow this
man to murder Cri;tenden Gannaway?"
| "Im going TO insist strongly upon his being
sent to headquarters for regular trial"
"Theres another of your shallow guibbles
| Clubbing when the question is whether you
| will become an accomplish in murder or not
| Yet yen claim to be a man of honori"
"At least, I've had honor enough so far not to
break my parole" he could not help reminding
| her.
"That may be because you have not had the
temptation Of seeing your hated enemy beard
ing you In your very halls. But ] will not
argue the matter. have before asked you for
. favor for this man. You will say that he
grossly abused your kindness"
"No, there's no necessity of saying that"
"Im going to ask you another and still
greater one; want yen to promise me that
you will not allow him to be murdered"
I've already promised you that | would
make every effort to turn Grimsted from his
intention
"That will not do / want an absolute
promise that you will save him from death
You are generous enemy, l know, and you
can do this il you will"
Il felt that my generosity was severely
taxed when I did what | could to send home
with you, to be rursed buck to health, the man
whom / regard as my most dangerous rival in
your regards. Now you ask NE to save him
for you from the punishment bis course has
brought upon him.
"Do you think you will help your suit by
letting him die?"
Twill not lose you forever by letting him
Iiye?"
He hesitated moment, and then went on in
lower tone. in which was infinite sadness
cit can be nothing but intense love for him
that prompts all this pleading your part. If
/ were sure OF it ! might be moved to do moro
even than l am now inclined to, for | love you
so well that would make any sacrifice to Sc
cure your happiness. 1 would even make the
sacrifice of giving you up to him. Tell me
truly,-do You love him?"
"Capt Barnard" she said and there was more
hope for him in the way she spoke his name
than in any word she had ever said, this
man is my knsnan. There is more meaning
in the word kin for us in Kentucky than there
Is for you in the colder North. 1t is enough to
make us take any risk of life or property to
save one another. / must save him, no matter
at what cost to myself, because he is Of my
blood That is the consideration that governs
everything else now, for ! would do as much
for him even though hated him. Let me
COZ fess to you that you have gained very much,
while he has gained nothing, by your action in
releasing him on parole Don't force me to say
anything farther You are too manly man
to want to impose conditions on the woman
you desire for your wife. You would not want
to win me by driving hard bargain when l
needed help, know"
Indeed I would not. I should despise
myself if gained you by lettering you with
obligations.
"Will you save Crittenden Gannaway' life ?"
q" will make every effort"
"Why not, then, help me to secure his es-
cape from this house tonight? That. if we
can do it, will be the simplest and easiest way
for ALL"
"You do not know what you ask me. That
means gross breach of duty"
There are your bubbles again. You pro-
fess your willingness to help me, and you de-
sire to save mans life, and your friend and
comrade from committing murder. yet you
will not take the best way that all this can be
done. So much for your protestations"
"But Miss Oldri" Barnard began. He found
himself talking to the darkness, for she had
disappeared as suddenly as she had come. He
stood undecided for moment, and then went
out to attend to the guards.
When Grinsted entered the sitting room
where Gannaway was, he found that Mrs. SUIT
ton and Aunt 'Nervy had made pallet on the
floor, near the fire, and the prisoner was sitting
Oh it, while Aunt 'Nervy pulled off his heavy
boots
Grimsted expressed satisfaction with the ar
rangement and picking up the family Bible,
drew q stand near the fire, upon which he
placed candle, and opening at the Book of
Judges, began reading selections from that ter
riblc record of wars, instructions and merciless
massacres. Whenever he came to passage
where all who had been conquered in fight or
had been guilty of bad faith had been put to
the edge of the sword, he would read with
special emphasis, occasionally CHANGING over
the top of the book to note the effect on Gamma
way. At first the latter listened with smile
CT scorn, and then WEAKNESS and heat overcame
him and he fell asleep.
After his many days of comfortless campo ign
ing, Grims:ed found tho bright fire in the large
open fireplace and the shelter of the cheerful
room very pleasant. He closed the Bible, I'M
buckled his belt, and laid his saber and revolver
upon the stand in front of him. Then he was
tempted to remove his boots and toast his tired
feet at the genial warmth. Gannaway appeared
to be sleeping very soundly, and Grimsted
sighed to think that the boon of such delightful
rest was denied him, when it seemed that he
wanted it much moro than he ever had in all
his life. He resolved to writc & long letter to
Jane narrating the events of the day and de-
scribing the house where he was He pro-
duced paper and envelopes from his breast
pocket and lead pencil and began writing