The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1888-11-29


So the merriment grew and prev, ano
care flew farther out of sight with every
J puff of tobacco smoke.
:" 1t Is truo as live, by reared a big,
bronEed fellow, climaxing with mighty
oath an anccdote his reiEh0or was in.
clined to regard with some skepticism.
The oath had barely escaped his lips when.
! with sharp, short hiss, q bullet cut
through the canvas OF the tprk std The
big trooper lay still and lishr with the smile
still upon his face,
Amid the roar of tho volley that fol.
! lowed, the voice of the Captain rang lie4
n trumpet through the tent "boys. we
are ambushedr hp cried. bucklng his
sword belt and drawing the blade forth like
o flash; 1.-THE camp is twelve miles down
| the river, south. Let each man cut HE
way through and escape "a he may. Out
with You! and let the first man who
reaches camp give the alarm"
| Another cruel volley, but the tent was
nearly empty, and the bullets only slit the
| canvas into strips, Keep by me
| CHI, .ic," admouishcd the Captain; and
the pale faced boy, who had been Fatn-
| bling stupidity at his belt, ieaped to his
| side. The two passed out together
IL was bitter struggle Throat to
! throat they fought; inch by inch they
| pressed forward or were swept back Men
| were falling like autumn leaves, while
! above them the wind moaned and the
| heavy green branches swayel How many
of his men were down the Captain could
| not see; but he pressed forward. keeping
the youth beside him. The boz fought like
hero, but his strength was not equal to
his spirit, and twice the Captain felt the
deadly twinge of saber- thrust in defend
ing him.
Ah' there was a neighing from the
Sushes-ths 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 / fc,
man. he almost shrieked, as, clutching
the boy by the collar, he half dragged him
across the horses back behind MIN Then
he felt himself elutehed ocyulsivcly
about the waist--dctp, deep sank the
roweils intG the animals TANKS, and the
gallant beast was carcening down the
valley like a thunderb0lt.
Only few scattering shots CANA after
them as the mare ga.lopod on. Niles and
miles they sped, and by and by the Captain
ielt himself growing sick ard faint. he
spoke to the gallant beast and let the bride
fall upon her neck Thcy stopped, and as
he dismourted 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 CHptnin taiue TO himself the
gray OF the morning was glimmcrng
through the trees-the ending of this
awful Thanksgiving night. His charge
was lying prone upon his back, raving in
the delir.um produced by the wound
Slowly painfully, the Captain made his
way to pool of muddy water and fetch
ing some of it in his cap, sought to cuench
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
name uttered that he knew well-too we'll
The boy was r4v.ng of his wife. ''Virginia
Nirginja!' he called in impatient, petulant
accents, why do you not speak to me' |
am here atone and wounded. Come to me
Virginia! Vireinian'
The Captains teeth grated harshly to-
gcther aud something like a curse rushed
from his lips His brow grew even paler
and his hands Clutchod at the grass at his
side
All at once he started to his feet, forget
full OF wound and bodily pain. Yes, why
not end it all roWt
Yes, why not go and leave this imp of
intilelity here TO die: He, this puny young
liar who had won the woman that he loved
by going home with II wounde arm and
telling her that her hctr0thcd was dead
He, who had rrcyed upon Der 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 rs 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 h way rather than see him fill
a suicides grave, knowing that he were
brave, after fashion, and would do as he
had said.
Tarice the Captain walked to where the
mare was browsing, and as often returned
to gaze at the ravng boy. Presently he
folded his arms and looked up at the break
ing sky.
Another picture cane to him as he stood
there. He saw himself in little orch,
at the side Of a graceful, grave-Cyei WON
an just one year ago this Thanksgiving
night. Edgar, my love, my idol" she
was saying, II love you, ycS-hOw foolish
it would he for me to deny it! | yielded
Edgar, l was faitlless to you, my love.
But they tod me You were dcad-he," and
her voice had grown harsh and cold-'he
care me gOAr dying message, and his mother
told me that TO save both her and his life l
must wed him. He would not live with
out me, she said, and she could not with
out him. SO l married him, Edgar, and
now you''-with a sort If wail-'you have
returned. But you must go-soon, soon,
while am strong. lie knows all-lsnows
that l love you; but You must promise not
to speak Of this to him. and to protect him,