Connecticut western news., 1891-05-13


 Whose souls never stretched out their wings h
 flight
 Who never have found and embraced their
 Eliza Lamb Mart7n
 THE BLACK CROSS.
 A black cross had been set against Judge Hawkins name. Why it is not for me to say. We were not accustomed to explain our motives or to g1ve req 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.
 the captain settled that, and when the next Friday came 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 satis- factory mood as had ever been in my life, for the night was favorable and the men hearty and in first rate condition.
 But after we had started and were threading 8 certain wood I began to have doubts. Feelings had never be- fore experienced assailed me with force that first perplexed and then astounded me. was afraid, and what rather heightened than diminished the un- wonted sensation was the fact that was not afraid of anything tangible, either in the present or future, but of some thing unexplainable and peculiar, which if it lay in the skies certainly made them look dark indeed, and if it hid in the forest, caused its faintest murmur to seem like the utterance of great dread, as awful as it was inexpicable.
 I 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 bade us all beware Twas 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 it's fulfllment marked out. went on, but began to think, and that to me 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 . visitor meant possible complication of affairs; so halt was called, and I was singled out to reconnoiter the premises and bring back word of what we had 8 right to expect.
 started off in strange state of mind. The fear had spoken of had left me, but a vague shadow remained, through which, as through a 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 I had but Q few steps more to take.
 The house, which had now become plainly visible, was 8 solid one of stone, built, as have said, on the hillside. It faced the road, as was shown by the large portico dimly to be dscerned in that direction, but it's rooms were main. ly on the side, and it was from one oi 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.
 was instantly of my horse and upor the piazza, and before I had time to real ize that my fears had returned to m' with double force had crept stealthily toward that uncurtained window ani looked in.
 What did see? At first nothing bu calm, studious figure bending above batch of closely written papers, upo, which the light shone too brightly fo me to perceive much of what lay behind them. But gradually an influence, O whose workings was scarce conscious drew my eyes away, and began to dis cover on every side strange and beauti fu1 objects which greatly interested me until suddenly my eyes fell upon visiol of leveliness so enchanting that forge to look elsewhere and became for tn moment nothing but sight and feeling.
 It was picture, or so thought in tn first instant of awe and delight. Bu presently I saw that it was a woman living and full of the thoughts that ha never been mine, and at the discovery sudden trembling seized me, for ha never seen anything in heaven or cart ike her beauty, while she saw nothin but the man who Was bending over hi papers.
 There was door or something dar behind her, and against it her tall, stron figure. clad in a close white gown, stoo out with Listinctness that was not alt gether earthly. But it was her face tn, held me and made of me from momeI to moment new man.
 For in 1t discerned what had new believed in till now, devotion that ha DO limit and love which asked nothir in return. She seemed to be falteriI on the threshold of that room, like ol who would iks to enter but does n dare, and in another moment, with smile that pierced ne through. sl turned as if to go. Instantly for9 everything but my despair. and leans forward With all i,uleLuUsity thai O trayed my presence. She glanced quicl ly toward the window, and seeing n turned pale, even while she rose height till felt myself shrink and gro small before her.
 Thrusting out her hand she caue from the table before her what look, like . small dagger, and holding it U