Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-13

near Dy, ana tne sound ulleu n0r Q06Tt Wltu | terror. At sunrise he was to die. Gould | she reach him--plead for him-save him l yet? On-still on she flew, shrinking bach l in the shadows of portals at the approach Q! l tho night patrol, and hurrying forward with steps to which fear, and love and longing lent 1 wings, whenever quiet or deserted street | lay before her. Her face was white and stern, set In a mar. ] tyr's courage, soldiers endurance. Tha, she would save him or die with him she was 1 resolved. Sho was still weak. The languo, l of long illness stole over her frame and clogged her steps at last The spirit within was brave and strong enough, but the poor slight body insensibly weighted it down, and | stole away the feverish strength that had l como with the shock of peril. Still che 1 pressed forward, the thought of his danger alone in her heart. nerving her failing strength, lighting her straining eyes they swept over the gray. dim sky, or searched for the landmark she longed and dreaded tc | behold "Shall I ever reach himr she | thought, and sob shook her frame-a sob oi despair, as increasing weakness made itself perceptiblo, and she knew she was still far from her destination.
 Before her in the road she saw a vehicle waiting. The tired horse stood with droop- ing head. The man on the box was asleep. She came to his side.
 "Will you direct mo to the garrison2" she implored. 'Is it far?"
 The man stared at her with sleepy stupid 1 eyes.
 "Too far to walk" he said. 'Wil you rider" With the desperation of her one great fear urging her on. she gave no heed to her own poverty-her own inability to offer him payment for his conveyance--shes sprung in without an instant's hesitation.
 "Drive therel" she said, and the man | obeyod.
 Sho threw herself back in the seat. and pressed her hands against her throbbin9 head. Hor brain had no sense but of that one mad resolve-her eyes no gaze, save for that dreaded signal-the first faint rcse-flush in tho east.
 eve are here," said the man. ''Two thalers. if you plcaso." She gazed at him bewildered, then instinctiy put her hand to search for her money.
 II have but one," she said, offering 1t.
 He swore rudely and angrily. She paid no hood. She sprung from the cab and hurried to the entrance gates with terror and glad ness in her eyes that sienced his fierce com. plaints. Tho sentinel stopped her.
 "Who goes there2" rang out his challenge fin the stiffness of the gray wintry dawn. She would have passed on in her blindness and ignorance, but again the voice stayed hel steps. "!fait or tlre."
 She paused and looked at him. "For the love of Heaven hear me p she cried. "There is man here-a prisoner-condemned tc die is there not? I have brought informa- ton that will save him. Can see the com. mandant?'
 i "At this hourf At this time? You must be mad! Be of! I can hold no barley while on duty"
 } "Oh stayp she cried in an agony of en.
 treaty that silenced his rough words and
 thrilled to his heart in its imploring and piteous despair. Think what you do. It ii
 q human life you would sacrifice, and an in. nocent one. If you were in his place what would you say to the man who denied you
 common justice, even at the last hour3"
 Despite himself the man was touched. He
 looked at her doubtfully. "What are you to him2" he asked. His wife,"
 |. "I am sorry for you, but can do nothing Even to speak to you now is a risk. Stay
  allow you to see your husband era his sen tence is executed" EtSs-.> moment aiterward Ninette was within the fortress and in charge of another soldier
 to whom she gave the same message. sh,
 must see the oommandant on matter of life and death.
 The message passed from one official t another. Each and all received 1t with tn, l>r but tN oil ko$ I,,xyo al, piteous, imploring face appeared nor, , strongly than any words. Tho fierce rouyh-veiced.. ..chief came at last
 he stared ashast at this strange intruder I yet ere word or question could escape sh,
 was at his fee: curing out her tale in breath less eager words. Then he laughed aloud. His wife you say. We'll, what of that
 The plot was none the less of his participa tion. Moreover, the chief offense for whicl
 he Is to suffer is the blow to his superior :, That admits of no appeal" l. "You do not know how he was provoked, U she cried You do not know what he has sui
 fered-and all for mel Oh, for the love 0
 Heaven do not make me his murderessp A "You pretty fool! Why fret for the loss c ' one man? There are hundreds as fine .fel :, lows as he in this land. Leave your old love
 alone ana tuke new One-tnac Is the pes Y advice can give you."
 "Are you quite merciless7" she moanet 10 "Can1 nothing move you? Will you not eve
 delay the execution of his sentence till tn . return of the king? Oh, if you would but ki ,I me and let the guiltless go."
 "That would be n pity, indeed; you ar r far too pretty to be sent out of the world yet , She turned on him with scorn and disdai
 that fired her eyes and flushed her cheek ,, and made her tenfold moro beautiful tha n sho had been in her weakness and despai 70 "Wlll nothing move you, brlbe you2" st a. cried.
 m You might bribe mo If you would," Q said, with glance that made her shrink frol a him with a shudder of loathing. "You al
 brave, indeed, to force your way In hithe mt Such captives as yourself would make or f. garrison life bearable."
 She started back with cry so terrible thu ae 1t curdled the blood of all who heard 1t. n Following the glance of her eyes he sa