The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1888-11-29


ing him.
ALL there was a neighing from the
| bushes-the Captain heard it, and, like an
Infatuated demon, he dashed aside hand
full of the foe and in another instant he
was into the saddle of his own good gray
mare Leap, Charlie leap for your life,
man p he almost shrielxed, as, clutching
the boy by the collar, he half-dragged him
across the horses back behind him. Then
he felt himself clutched convulsively
about the waist--deep, deep sank the
rowclls into the animals TANKS, and the
O. beast was careening down the
.a4ey IKE thunderbolt.
Only few scattering shots came after
them as the mare galloped on. Miles and
miles they sped, and by and by the Captain
felt himself growing sick and faint. He
spoke to the gallant beast and let the bride
fall upon her neck. They stopped, and as
he dismounted the boy whose life he had
saved fell from the saddle into his arms
helpless. Then the two lost consciousness
at the same moment.
When the Captain came to himself the
gray of the morning was glimmerlng
through the trees-the ending of this
awful Thanksgiving night His charge
was lying prone upon his back, raving in
Slowly, painfully, the Captain made his
way to pool of muddy water and fetch
ing some of it in his cap, sought to quench
the lads thirst Then, while every bone
and fiber of his body ached with agony,
he sat down to watch him as his mother
might
Patiently, very patiently he sat there and
listened to his rawlings, until he heard a
rame uttered that he knew well--too well.
The boy was raving Of his wife. Virginia |
Virginiai'' he called in impatient, petulant
accents, "why do you not speak to mei l
am here alone and wounded. Come to me
Virginia. Virginia"
The Captains teeth grated harshly to-
gether, and something like curse rushed
from his lips. His brow grew even paler
and his hands clutched at the grass at his
side.
All at once he started to his feet, forget
full of wound and bodily pam. Yes, why
not end it all nowl
Yes, why not go and leave this imp of
infidelity here to diet He, this puny young
liar who had won the woman that he loved
by going home with wounded arm and
telling her that her betrothed was dead
He, who had preyed upon her sympathies
and threatened to die by his own hand if
she did not wed him; he, who had called
his mother into his service and procured
her tears as an aid to his cause until she,
his Virginia, the light of his life, the Joy of
his eyes, had yielded to the boy, and let
him have his way rather than see him fill
suicides grave, knowing that he were
brave, after fashion, and would do as he
bad said.
Tnriee the Captain walked TO where the
mare was browsing, and as often returned
to gaze at the raving boy. Presently he
folded his arms and looked up at the break
ing sky.
Another picture came to him as he stood
there He saw himself in little porch,
at the side of graceful, grave-eyed wom-
an Just one year ago this Thanksgiving
night Edgar, my love, my idol" she
was saying, II love you, yes-how foolish
it would he for me to deny It'll / yielded,
Edgar, | was faithless ts you, my love
But they told me you were dead-lie," and
her voice had grown harsh and cold-'he
gaue me your dying message, and his mother
told me that TO save both her and his life /
must wed him. He would not live with
out me, she said, and she could not with
out him. SO / married him, Edgar, and
now you''-with sort OF wail-'you have
returned. But you must go-soon, soon,
while l am strong He knows all-knows
that / love you; but you must promise not
to speak Of this TO him, and to protect him,
for you know he is your fathers son, and
almost your brother Promise me, Edgar,
promise me by this kiss
And he had kissed her, and given his
promise. And for year he had kept IL
well.
But even as his battle was fought and
won the Captain remembered the duty that
lay before nina duty that must be car
ried out at any hazard that of awakening
the army to a sense of the approaching
peril. He placed the boy on the crupper in
front Of him, mounted, and rode away.
He had no knowledge of his whereabouts
now, and his bodily pain was almost too