The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-06-28

she reach him--plead for hm-savo him
yet? On-still on she flew, shrinking bacL
in the shadows OF portals ut the approach o.
the night patrol, and hurrying forward with
steps to which fear, and love and longing len
wings, whenever quiet or deserted street
lay before her.
Her face was white and storm, set In mar
tyr's courage, soldiers endurance. Tha
she would save him or die with him she was
resolved. She was still weak. The languor
OF long illness stole over her fralne and
cogged her steps at last. The spirit within
was bravo and strong enough, but the poor
slight body insensibly weighted it down, and
stole away the feverish strength that had
come with the shock OF peril. Still she
pressed forward, the thought of his danger
alone in her heart, ncrving her failing
strength, lighting her straining eyes as they
swept over the gray, dim sky, or searched
for the landmark she longed and dreaded to
behold. "Shall 1 ever reach him2" she
thought, and sob shook her framc-a sob of
despair, as increasing weakness made itself
perceptibe, and she know she was still far
from her destination.
waiting. The tired horse stood with droop-
ing head. The man on tho box was asleep
She came to his side.
"Will you direct me to the garrison?" she
implored. "Is it far?"
The man stared at her with sleepy stupid
eyes.
"Too far to walk" ho said. "Will you
rf1 1a2 With tha H.,
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 instants hesitation.
"Drive therel" she said, and the man
obeyed.
She threw herself back in the seat, and
pressed her hands against her throbbing
head. Her 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.
"We are here" said the man. 'Two thalcrs
if you please" She gazed at him bewidcred,
then instinctiy put her hand to search for
her money.
Il have but one," she said, Offering it.
He swore rudely and angrily. She paid no
hecd. She sprung from the cab and hurried
to the entrance gates with a terror and glad
ness in her eyes that silenced his fierce COM
plants. The sentinel stopped her.
"Who goes there2" rang out his challenge
in the stiffness of the gray wintry dawn. She
would have passed on in her blindness and
ignorance, but again tho voice stayed her
steps. "Halt, or fire."
She paused and looked at him. "For the
love of Heaven hear me |" she cried. "There
is man here-a prisoner-condemned to
die, is there not? 1 have brought informa-
ton that will save him. Can see the COM
mandant?"
"At this hour. At this time? You must be
mad Be Off! l can hold no parley while on
duty"
"Oh stay" she cried In an agony Of en-
treaty that silenced his rough words and
thrilled TO his heart in its imploring and
ptoous despair. Think what you do. 1t is
n human life you would sacrifice, and an in
nocent one. II you were in his place what
would you say to the man who denied you
common justice, even at tho last hour"
Despite himself the man was touched. He
looked at her doubtfully.
"What are you to him?" he asked.
Ellis wife,
81 am sorry for you, but can do nothing.
Even to speak to you now is risk. Stay-I
will pass you on, perhaps the lieutenant may
allow you to see your husband ere his seu-
tence is executed"
moment atterward Ninette was within
the fortress and in charge of another soldier,
to whom she gave tho same message. She
must see the eommandant on u matter Of life
and death.
Tho message passed from one official to
another. Each and all received 1t with the
same wonder. but to all hearts that lovely,
piteous, imploring face appeared moro
strongly than any words.
The fierce rough-voiced chief came mt last.
lie stared ashast ut this strange intruder
yet ere word or question could escape she
was ut his feet pouring out her tale in breath
loss eager words. Then he laughed aloud.
"His wife YOU say. Well, what OF that?
Tho plot was mono the less OF his participa-
tion. Moreover, tho chief offense for which
he is to suffer is tho blow to his superior.
That admits of no appeal"
"You do not know how he was provoked,
she cried. "You do not know what he has sur.
fered-and all for me! Oh, for the love of
Heaven do not make me his murderessP' p
"You pretty fool! Why fret for the loss OF
one man? There nre hundreds as fine fel-
lows rs he in this land. Leave your old lover
alono and take II new ono-that is the best
advice l can give you"
care you quite mGrciless2" she moaned.
"Canl nothing move you? Will you not even
delay the execution Of his sentence till the
return OF the king? Oh. if you would but kill
me and let the guiltless 60"
"That would be II pity, indeed; you are
far too pretty 10 be sent out OF the world yet"
She turned on him with scorn and disdain
that fired her eyes and flushed her cheeks,
and made her tenfold more beautiful than
she had been in her weakness and despair.
"Wll nothing move you, bribe you" she
cried.
You might bribe me II you would" he
said, with glance that mado her shrink from
him with shuddcr of loathinS. "You are
brave, indeed, TO force your way in hither.
Such captivcs as yourself would make our
garrison life bearabe."
She stated back with cry SO terrible that
it ourdled the blood OF all who heard it.
Following the glance of her eyes he saw
through the narrow barred window the first
line of light in the eastern sky. He rose and
called soldier to his side.
Guard this woman" he said curtly, "must
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