Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-12-27

CHAPTER E.-CoNr1NUED.
{ Harry liked him better in this defiant
mood.
"weli, please EXPLAIN" he asked, more
courteously.
Whatr' Winthrop cried, the very men
tion Of her name setting his heart leaping
rs You came as q messenger from herr"
y 81 debut, oh Winthrop, believe me,
though there has been little love lost be-
tween US two, hate to bear the tidinRs
bring"
"Ah, shc is imp
"She is dying. Yesterday, while riding
in the woods, a rife bullet struck her in the
side. We carried her to the farmhouse
where she now lies, scarce dozen miles
from here. / could not bear to listen to her
tprayer to see you once before she died, and
80, reckless of consequences, I even vent
ured to your camp"
spoke. As for Harry, he was speechless
with dismay.
''You will go with me, will you note' the
Frenchman continued. IL will stake my
lite on your safe conduct"
"No," Harry said, pale as death. "God
help me, Lecroix, I can not 60, even if my
presence would save her life. am in COM
post"
The Frenchman's face fell.
s'And that IS your love- he sneered.
sob, you repay her grand devotion with
half hearted proofs of your affection. Why,
man, if she but whispered Come to me,
0nd loss Of honor, danger, death stood in
tho road, would fly to her side"
The words cut Harry like the lash of
whip, but he checked the passionate reply
which rose to his lips.
"But you are not in my place, Mr.. Lee
croix," he said, calmly, "and our ideas of
duty differ. Like you, would gladly peril
life and limb to save Miss Frobisham one
pang Of disappointment, but"
"You Will not go to her In her distress"
at is no question of aciu. 1 simply can
a,st."
$50 be it. Then, as time flies, I had
better return to carry her your regrets"
"You return. All. yes" Then it dawned
across his mind that mis- visitors departure
might entail some trouble upon him.
Lecroix read his thoughts. -
'' 1t is nearly dusk now, and all you need
do is to see me safely past your outpost The
rest L will provide for myself" he said,
eagerly.
With a very bad grace Harry consented
ITO the proposition. But what could he dos
Ut was not for a moment to be supposed
that he could repay the mans devotion to
Kate Frobisham by OBTAINING him as prs
Oner. Such treatment would be simply
BRUTAL.
Yes" he sighed, t. will see you safely
beyond our lines.'
Without attracting much observation,
they reached the last picket, and Harry ad-
vanced farther than prudence warranted
ayith Lecroix. pouring into his ears mary
messages of love and sympathy for the dy-
ing girl. 80
If you are man, Lecroix,'' he said
with deep emotion, - tell her that sts is
dearer to me than all on earth; that II xhe
dies her memory will be forever to nie--
Ah, what means this?'
With cry of dismay he sprang back
The wood was alive with men.
Yield, or you are o dead man ~ Lecrcix
cried.
''Never, you treacherous hound" Win
throp shrielzed, as with one blow of his
and made dash for liberty. ---&> 3
"Cut him down, men! Cut him down: but
do not fire" cried one in command
Harry knew well what the order meant
that their force was. small and that they
feared to rouse his troopers; so, shouting
to the top Of his voice for help, he boldly
set his back against a tree and faced hts
enemies. Nor was his cry unheeded With
a loud s''Rahi'' the Michigan boys came
trooping over the green sward and the
Confederates fed to the recesses OF the
gather together his half-stunned eenses
and crawl to place of safety,
Faith! it was a close call fer YOU.
Major" Captain Gore, who had succeeded
to the command Of Harry's troop, said
But what were you DONG out IN the woods
here alone?'' .
Harry flushed scarlet, but hoarse cries OF
indignation from thicket close by dis
fraoeed Cores attention and spared him tho