The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-25
DEPTH OF WOMAN'SLOVE
"REMINISCENCES OF A RAID BY REG.
ULATORS TO MURDER A JUDGE.

D6VcblOu "a o NOplo woman Who
Saved the Life of the Intended VIC
tim and Smiled at Death-A Striking
Story.
From, the Buffalo Commercial
A black cross had been set against Judge
Hawkins name. Why, it is not for me to
my. We were not accustomed to explain
our motives or to give reasons 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 con-
kemplated raid. A word from the captain
settled that, and when the next Friday
came dozen men met at the place Of rem
devious, ready for the ride which should
bring them to the judges solitary mansion
across the mountains. / was among them.
and in as satisfactory mood as had ever
been in my life, for the night was favorable
and the men hearty and in first-rate condi-
ton.
But after he had started and were thread
ing certain wood began to have doubts.
Feelings had never before experienced as
sailed me with force that first perplexed
and then astounded me. | was afraid. and
unwonted sensation was the fact that was
not afraid Of anything tangible, either In
the present or future, but of something un
sxplainable and peculiar, which, if il lay In
the skies, certainly made them look dark in
deed, and if it hid in the forest caused its
faintest murmur to seem like the utterance
of great dread, as awful as it was mex
picable
| nevertheless proceeded, and should have
done so had the great streaks of lightning.
which now and then shot Zigzag through
the sky, had taken the shape of words and
babe us all beware I was not one to be
daunted, and knew no other course than
that of advance when once a stroke of JUS
tice had been planned and the direction for
its fulfillment marked out. l went on, and
began to think, and that to me was an ex-
perIence, for 1 had never been taught to
refect-only to fight and obey.
A LIGHT IN THE HOUSE,
The house toward which we were riding
was built on hillside, and the first thing
we saw on emerging from the forest was
light burning in one Of the distant windows.
This was a surprise, for the hour was late,
and in that part of the country people were
accustomed to retire early, even such busy
men as the judge. He must have visitor,
and a visitor meant possible complication
of affairs; SO halt was called, and was
ElDklSQ OuL " EOCOuuOklI6 LILO pfoullH6a,
started of in strange state OF mind.
The fear l had spoken of had left me, but q
vague shadow remained, through which, as
through mist, saw the light in that far
away window beokoning me on to what |
felt was in some way to make an end to my
present life. As drew nearer to 1t the
feeling increased; then 1t, too, left me, and
l. found myself once more the daring
avenger. This was when | came to the foot
If "a hill and diaonuorad thaf had h.k n
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 shown by the large portico dimly
to be discerned in that direction, but its
rooms were mainly on tho side, and it was
from one Of these that the light shone. AS
Icame yet nearer / perceived that these
rooms were guarded bya piazza, which,
communicating with the portioo in 'front.'
afforded an open road to that window and q
clear sight of what lay behind it, I was
instantly off my horse and upon the piazza,
and before had time to realize that my
fears had returned to me with double force
! had crept stealthily toward that uuCur-
tanned window and looked in.
A FASCINATING FACE.
What did l sees At first nothing but a
calm studious figure bending above a batch
Of closely written papers, upon which the
light shone too brightly for me to perceive
much of what lay behind them. But grad
ually an influence Of whose workings Yves
scarce conscious, drew my eyes away, and
began to discover on every side strange
and beautiful objects which greatly inter
ested me, until suddenly my eyes foil upon
vision of loveliness so enchanting that
forgot to look elsewhere aud became for
the moment nothing but sight aud feeling.
r0Aw i fk@wrr ,hk a H.
first instant of awe and delight But pres
emily saw that it was a woman, living and
full of thoughts that had never been mine
and at the discovery q sudden trembling
seized me, for 1 had never seen anything
like her beauty, while she saw nothing but
the man who was bending over his papers.
There was a door or something dark behind
her, and against it her tall, strong figure,
clad in close white gown, stood out with
distinctness that was not altogether
earthly.
But it was her face that held me and
made of me from moment to moment a
new man. For in it discerned what / had
never believed in till now, devotion that
had no limit and love which asked nothing
In return. She seemed to be faltering on
the threshold of that room, as one who
would like to enter, but does not dare, and
In another moment, with smile that
pierced me through, she turned as if to go.
Instantly forgot everything but my de-
spair, and leaned forward with al impet-
uosity that betrayed my presence. She
glanced quickly toward the window, and
seeing me, turned pale. even while she rose
In height till L felt myself shrink and grow
small before her.
NO RELIEF FOR HER.
Trusting 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, and staring with an ex-
preston that must have struck to the heart
as surely as her look pierced niue. When
she was almost 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 q
dagger to strike me TO the ground.
How soon l met my mates cannot say.
In few minutes, doubtless, for they had
stolen after me and had detected me run
ming away from the window. | was forced
to tell my tale, and told 1t unheeitatingly,
for knew could not save him-if wanted
to-and 1 asked that she be spared not ouly
from sharing his fate. bat from the sight II
his death, for she loved him.
This from mel No wonder the captain
stared, then laughed. But l did not laugh
in return. aud being the strongest man In
the band and the surest with my rifle, ne