The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-12-04
THE BLACK CROSS.
Philadelphia Times.1

10 explain our motives or to give rea-
sons for our deeds. The deeds were
enough, and this black cross meant
death, and when it had been shown us
all that we needed to know further was
at what hour we should meet for the
contemplated raid.
A word from the captain settled that,
and when the next Friday came a dozen
men met at the place of rendezvous
ready for the ride which should bring
them to the judges solitary mansion
across the mountains.
| was among them and in as salts
factory mood as had ever been in my
life, for the night was favorable and the
men hearty and first rate condition.
But after we had started and were
threading certain wood / began to
have doubts. Feelings had never be-
fore experienced assailed me with force
that first perplexed and then astounded
me. l was afraid, and what rather
heightened than diminished the I'M
wonted sensation was the fact that l was
not afraid of anything tangible, either
in the present or future, but of some
thing unexplainable and peculiar, which
IL ~ lay III bnC HhlCS certainly luduc
them look dark indeed, and if it hid in
the forest, caused its faintest murmur to
seem like the utterance of a great dread,
as awful as it was inexplicable.
nevertheless proceeded, and should
have done so if the great streaks of light
ming which now and then shot zigzag
through the sky had taken the shape of
words and babe us all beware. was
not one to be daunted, and knew no
other course than that of advance when
once stroke of justice had been planned
and the direction for its fulfillment
marked out. went on, but l began to
think, and that to Inc was an experience,
for had never been taught to reflect
only to fight and obey.
The house toward which we were rid
ing was built on hillside, and the first
thing we saw ON emerging from the for
est was light burning in one of its dis
tant windows. This was SURPRISE for
the hour was late, and in that part of the
country people were accustomed to re-
tire early, even such busy men as the
judge. He must have visitor, and a
visitor meant a possible complication of
affairs; so halt was called, and was
singled out to reconnoiter the premises
and bring back word of what we had a
right to expect.
started off III strange state of
mind. The fear had spoken of had left
me, but vague shadow remained,
through which, as through mist, saw
the light in that far away window beck
oning me on to what / felt was in some
way to make an end of my present life.
AS drew nearer to it the feeling in
creased; then it, too, left me, and |
found myself once more the daring
avenger. This was when I came to the
foot of the hill and discovered had but
few steps more to take
The house, which had now become
plainly visible, was solid one of stone,
built, as have said, on the hillside. 1t
faced the road, as was shown by the
large portico dimly to be discerned in
that direction, but its rooms were main
ly on the side, and it was from one of
these that the light shone. As came
yet nearer perceived that these rooms
were guarded by piazza, which, COM
municating with the portico in front,
afforded an open road to that window
and clear sight of what lay behind it.
Twas instantly off my horse and upon
the piazza, and before had time to real
ize that my fears had returned to me
with double force l had crept stealthily
toward that uncurtained window and
looked in.
What did see? At first nothing but
calm, studious figure bending above
batch of closely written papers, upon
which the light shone too brightly for
me to perceive much of what hay behind
them. But gradually an influence, of
whose workings was scarce conscious
drew my eyes away, and began to dis
cover on every side strange and beauti-
full objects which greatly interested me,
until suddenly my eyes fell upon vision
of loneliness SO enchanting that forgot
to look elsewhere and became for the
moment nothing but sight and feeling.
1t was a picture, or so thought in the
first instant of awe and delight. But
presently 1 saw that it was a woman.
living and full of the thoughts that had
never been mine, and at the discovery
sudden trembling seized me, for l had
never seen anything in heaven or earth
like her beauty, while she saw nothing
but the man who was bending over his
papers
There was door or something dark
behind her, and against it her tall, strong
figure. clad in a close white gown, stood
out with distinctness that was not alto
gether earthly. But it was her face that
held me and made of me from moment
to moment new man.
For in it l discerned what had never
believed in till now, devotion that had
no limit and love which asked nothing
in return. She seemed 70 be faltering
on the threshold of that room, like one
who would like to enter but does not
dare, and in another moment, with a
smile that pierced me through, she
turned as if to go. Instantly forgot
everything but my despair. and leaned
forward with an impetuosity that be-
trayed my presence. She glanced quick
ly toward the window, and seeing me
turned pale, even while she rose in
height till felt myself shrink and grow
small before her.
Thrusting out her hand she caught
from the table before her what looked
like a small dagger, and holding it up,
advanced upon me with blazing eyes
and parted lips, not seeing that the judge
had risen to his feet, not seeing anything
but my face glued against the pane, ana
staring with an expression that mus.
have struck to the heart as surely as her
look pierced mine. When she was al
most upon me turned and fed. He'll
could not have frightened me, but heaven
did; and for me that woman was heaven
whether she smiled or frowned, gazed
upon another with love or raised dag
ger to strike me to the ground.
How soon l met my mates l cannot
say. In a few minutes, doubtless, for
they had stolen after me and had de-
tected me running away from the win
dow was forced to tell my tale, and
told it unhesitatingly, for ! knew |
could not save him-if wanted to--and
knew should save her or die in the
attempt.
He is alone there with a girl" an
nounced. Whether she is his wife or
not cannot say, but there is no cross
against her name, and ask that she he
spared not only from sharing his fate
but from the sight of his death. for sbe
loves him."
This from mel No wonder the can
tain stared, then laughed. But 1 did
not laugh in return, and being the strong
est man in the band and the surest with