The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-12-21

and parted hps, 10. eIS-ug that tne Judge
had risen to his feet, not seeing anything
but my face glued against the pane, and
staring with an expression that must
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 loye or raised dag
ger to straie 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
l told it unhesitatingly, for l knew
could not save him-if wanted to-and
[ knew l should save her or die in the
attempt.
HE is alone there with girl,"I an
nounced. Whether she is his wife or
not cannot say, but there is no cross
against her naiAe, and l ask that she be
spared not only from sharing his fate,
but from the sight of his death, for she
loves him"
This from me! No wonder the cap
tain stared, then laughed. But l did
not laugh in return, and being the strong
est man in the band and the surest with
my rife, he dia not trife long, but lis
tened to my plans and in part consented
to them, so that | retreated to my post
at tla gateway with something like con-
fdence, while he, approaching the door,
lifted the knocker and let it fall with a
resounding clang that must have rung
like knell of death to the hearts within.
For the judge knew our errand; saw
it in his face when he rose to his feet,
and he had no hope, for we had never
failed in our attempts. and the house,
though strongly built, was easily assail-
able.
While the captain knocked three men
had scaled the portlco and were ready to !
enter the open windows if the Judge re-
fused to parley or offered any resistance
TO what was known as the captains will. 1
death to the Judger' was theory, and |
it was echoed not only at the door but
around the house, where the rest of the /
men had drawn Gordon ready to way /
lay any one who sought to escape. Death .
to the judge! And the judge was loved .
by that woman and would be mourned .
by her till But voice is speaking, a
voice from out that great house, and it
asks what is wanted and what the mean
ing is of these threats OF death.
And the captain answers short and
sharp:
THE Ku-Klux commands, but never
explains. What it commands now is for
Judge Hawkins to come forth. If he
shrinks or delays his house will be en-
tered and burned, but if he will come
out and meet like a man what awaits
him his house shall go free and his
family remain unmolested."
'And what is it that awaits him." pur-
sued the voice
-Four bullets from four unerring
rifles, returned the captain.
lit Is well; he will come forth" cried
the voice, and then in huskier tone: ,
'Let me kiss the woman love- Twill
lot keep you long" !
And the captain answered nothing,
,nly counted ont clearly and steadily,
'One-two-three," up to a hundred;
hen he paused, turned and lifted his
land; when instantly our four rifles
'ose, and at the same moment the door,
with faint grating sound shall never
forget, slowly opened and the firm. I'M
shrinking figure of the judge appeared {
We did not delay. One simultaneous s
ourst of fire, one loud quick crack, and !
lis figure fell before our ewes. A sound,
| cry from within, then all was still, and |,
he captain, mounting his horse, gave :
me quick whistle and galloped away. .
We followed him, but | was the last to (
Mount, and did not follow long, for at '
he flash of those guns had seen a smile S
lcross our victims lip, and my heart t
vas on fire, and | could not rest till !
lad found my way back to that open !
doorway and the figure lying within it, :
There it was, and behind it a house !
mpty as my heart has been since that .
lay. A mans dress covering a woman's v
orm-and over the motionless, perfect C
eatures that same smile which | had 4
cen in the room beyond and again in t
he quick glare of the rifles.
had harbored no evil thought con- =
erning her, but when l beheld that :
mile now sealed and fixed upon her lips 8
found the soul had never known that f
possessed until that day.-Anna Kathe-
inc Green in Philadelphia Times. c