Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-02-19

this man, a traitor, my prisoner, and your
recognized lover, had escaped from my
custody without your assistance con
~nivance, or aver knowledge, 1 should nave
deemed it my duty to forsake you nnti l
caught him, ever if we had been standing
before the alter"
Thankful heard him, but only as q
strange voice in the distance, as she stood
with fixed eyes and breathless, parted lips
before him. Yet even then / fear tnat,
womanlike, she did not comprehend h's
rhetoric of honor, hut only caught here
ard there a dull, benumbing idea Thai ne
despised her, and that in her effort to WIN
his love she had killed it, and ruined MIN
forever. .
'If you think it strange" continued
the mejor, that, believing as do, stand
here only to utter moral axioms when my
duty calls me to pursue your lover, / beg
you to believe that it ia only for your sake
I wish to allow q reasonable time between
your interview with him and bis escape,
that shall save You from any suspicion OF
completely. Do not think he added with
a sad smile, as the girl made "a impatient
step toward him, do not think an run
ming any risk. The man cannot escape.
A Gordon Of pickets surrounds the campfor
many miles. He has not the countersigo,
and his face and crime are known"
"Yes," said Thankful eagerly, but q
part Of his own regiment guards the Bask-
ingridge road"
'How know You th;s?" said the major,
Selling her hand.
"He told me-"
Before she could fall on her knees and
beg his forgiveness he had darted from the
room, given an order, and returned with
cheeks and eyes blazing.
Hear me-" he said rapidly, taking the
girls two hands, '.you know not what
you've done. l forgive you. But this is NO
longer a matter Of duty, but my personal
honor. ! shall pursue this man alone.
shall return with him, or not all. Fare,
well. God bless you!'
But before he reached the door she
caught him again. "Only say you have
forgiven me once more"
81 do"
"Guert ~
There was something in the girl'a voice,
more than this first utterance Of lis Chris,
tian name, that made him pause.
81 told-a-lie-just-now There is
a fleeter horse in the stable han my mare
its the roam lilly in the second stall"
God bless you!"
"He was gone. She waited to hear the
clatter of his horses hoofs il the road way.
| When CRs ar came in q few moments later,
10 tell the news Of Capt. Brewster's escape,
the room was empty; but it was soon filled
again by q dozen turbulent troopers.
''Of course she's gone" said Sergeant
Tibbitts; 1.-THE jade few with the cap
tain"
"Ay, tits plain enough. Two horses
are gone from the stable bisides the ma
jor's," said Private Hicks.
Nor was this military criticism entirely
a private one. When the courier arrived
at headquarters the next morning, it was
to bring the report that Mistress Thankful
Blossom, after assisting her lover to es'
cape, had fled with him. THE renegade
is well of our hands, " said Gen Sullivan
grufly; ''be has saved US the public dis
grace of q trial. But this bad news Of
Maj. Van Zandt."
uat news VI luc hldJoi' aoheu WASH
ingtou quickly.
"He pursued the vagabond as far rs
Springfield, killing his horse, and falling
himself insensible before Maj. Merton's
quarters. Here he became speedily deliri-
Gus, fever superyened, and the regimental
surgeon, after a careful examination, pro-
nouuced his case one of smallpox"
A whisper OF horror and pity went
around the room. Another gallant sol
dier who should have died leading a
charge, lsiI by the heels by a beggar's
filthy d~isteDper," growled Sullivan,
"Where will it end?"
"God knows" said Hamilton. "Poor
Van Zandt! But whittier was be sent
to the hospital?"
"No; Especial permit wa granted in his
CAGE; and tits said he was removed to the
Blossom farm-it being remote from neigh
bors-snd the house placed under quaran,
tine. Abner Blossom has prudently alb.
scented himself from the chance of infec,
ton, and the daughter has fed. The sick
man is attended only by a black servant
and an ancient crone; so that it the poor
major escapes with his life or without dis,
agreement, pretty Mistress Bolton, OF
MorristoWn, need not be scandalIzed or
jealous"