Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-02-07
CHAPTER VIII.
FACE TO FACE.
/" KateI"
90 Harrvf ~

lie STOOD IN the rugged PAIN LOOKING cu-
treatingly into her dark eyes, which for a
moment flashed back a tender glance of
pleased surprise. Then the color fled from
her face, and, pale as death, she sat like a
craven statue. For an instant she reeled in
her saddle as though about to fall, and Harry
raised his hands to save her; but mastering
her weakness with a supreme effort, she
steadied herself, and the wild, frightened
look her face wore gave place to a cold,
stern expression of defiance.
Gam / your prisoner of war, Captain
Winthrop!'' she said, glancing contemptu-
ously at the insignia of his rank.
"Oh, Kate!' he stammered, land is it
thus we meet? What wild thoughts have
entered your head that you could imagine
that would ever harm youw
"Then perhaps you will permit me to go
my way unmolested."
kate, / must, I will speak with you," he
said, impetuously. ebay and night have
longed for this opportunity which chance
at last has thrown in my way. You can not
be so cruel, so heartlesS-"
sob, sir, spare me your reprOaches. They
do not come with a good grace from one
who is bringing ruin and death on all love-
Once for all 1 tell you there is no spark of
affection for you left in my heart. No day
passes but pray God to make me hate you,
to"
'And is your prayer answered. Kate? If
as you say your love is dead, it is strange
that you should have to supplicate Heaven
for strength to crush it. No, am not de-
ceived by your harsh words, Kate, for
have faith in you to the last. If you loved
me not, why did you come between me and
Moseby's men when lay at their mercy in
the valley of the SHENANDOAH
"Ah, it is brave of you to remind me of
my woman's weakness" she said, pitifully,
then in sterner tones continued: " Granted
/ once loved you, what then? Our love is now
impossible. Could you take to your heart
girl who loathes your people with hatred
that words can not express? Let me tell you
who and what now am, and then if there is
a spark of manliness left in you, and you
are true to your convictions as Northern
soldier, your love will turn to scCfn.'
.sKater'
She needed not his interruption.
~ have seen the home of my childhood
burned to ashes, my mother and little SIS
tiers wandering in the wilderness homeless,
my father lying on a barren moor with both
feet shot off by a cannon ball, and none but
us women to Succor HIM. My best loved
brother lies dead on the field of Gettysburg.
Even now another with mutilated arms lies
on a sick bed in house not far from this.
have suffered hunger and thirst and the
burning fever of despair; and you, who
have helped to bring these Affections on me,
pirate of your love! But silence! Let me
say all now, and then in Gods name let US
part, never to meet again"
- will not listen to your wild words,
Kate -
Eyes, you must hear me to the end. You
must realize the impossible barrier that
now yawns between US. Have you the
spirit to love a girl who would give every
drop of her hearts blood for the life of one
of your comradess Pshaw! Be a man and
give me scorn for scorn.'
81 am not making war on women" Harry
said, proudly.
No." she replied, contemplatively. "You
only burn their homes and slay their loved
ones. But enough of this. You see me
now well clothed, well mounted. And whya
My father has a little farmhouse near this
spot, and we have been fortunate enough to
gather a few things together and make
refuge there. And Ives, 1 am proud to
tell you, Captain Winthrop-I received this