The state herald., 1891-07-31
A WOMAN'S LOVE.

were enough, ana TINS Dlack cross
meant death, and when II 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 tho captain settled that, and
when the next Friday came dozen
men met ut tho place Of rendezvous
ready for the ride which should bring
them to tho 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 iirst-rate condition.
Tho house toward which we were
riding was built on u hillside, and the
first thing We saw on emerging from
the forest was light burning in one
OF the distant windows. This was II
surprise, for the hour wns late, and In
that part of the country people wcro
accustomed to retire early. even such
busy men as the judge. He must have
visitor. and n visitor meant posi-
bic complication Of affairs, so halt
was called. and was singled out to
reconhoitre tht pteHiisco.
The house. which had now become
plainly visible was solid one Of
stone built rs have said. on the hill
side. II faced the road. us shown by
the large portico dimly to be discerncd
| in that direction. but its rooms were
mainly on the side. and IL was from
one Of these that the light shone. As
l came yet nearer perceived that these
| rooms were guarded by piazza,
which, communicating 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 upon the piazza, and before
] had time to realize that my fears had
returned to me with double force had
crept stcalthly toward that uncurtainod
window and looked in.
What did l seep At first nothing
but calm. studious figure bending
above "a batch of closely written pa
pcrs, upon which the light shonc too
brightly for me TO perceive much OF
what lay behind them. But gradually
an influence, of whose workings ! was
scarce conscious, drew my eyes away,
and | began to discover on every side
strange and beautiful objects which
greatly Interested me, until suddenly
my eyes fell upon vision of lovelincss
so enchanting that forgot to look
elsewhere. and becume for the moment
nothing but sight ald feeling.
| II was IA picture or so ! thought In
the first instant Of awe and delight.
But presently l say that it was n
woman. living and full OF thoughts
that had never bee. mine; and at the
discovery. n sudden trembling seized
me, for hnd never seen anything like
her beauty while she saw nothing but
the man who was bending over his
papers. There was door or some
thing dark behind her, md against
II her tall. strong figure. clad In close
white gown. stood out with distinct
ness that was not altogether earthly.
But 1t was her face that held mo and
made Of mo from moment TO moment
new man. For in Il discerncd whnt
had never believed In till now. de-
votion that had no limit and love which
asked nothing In return. She seemed
10 be faltering on the threshold OF that
room, as one who would like To enter,
but does not dare. and In another mo-
ment with smile that pierced mo
through. she turned MS II To go. In
stan,ly forgot everything but my de-
spair, and leaned forward with nm i'm
potuosity that betrayed my presence.
She glanced quickly toward the win
dow. and. seeing mo, turned pale, even
while she rose in height till fcl, my
self shrink and grow small before her.
Thrusting out her hand she caught
from the table before her what looked
like u small dagger. and holding II up.
advanced upon me with blazing eyes
and parted lips, not seeing that tho
iudgo had risen to his fest, not seeing
anything but my face glrcd against the
pane. and staring with nm expression
that must have struck to the heart, ms
surely ~ her look pierced mine, When
she was almost upon mo ] turned aud
fled. llcll could not have frightened
me. but heaven did; and for me ihnt
woman was heaven. whoihor she smiled
or irownod, gazcd upon another with
love, or raised dagger to strike me
To the ground.
How soon ] mot my mn,os can not
say. In few minutes. doubtless. for
they Ind stolen after me and had de-
ioctnd mo running AWAY from tho win
dow. was forced 10 tell my tale,
md told II unhc-l'ntipgly, for !
knew I could not save him--if ! want
cd to-nnd nskcd thnt she be spared
no, only from sharing his fate. but
from the sight Of his death. for sho
loved him.
This from mol No wonder tho Cap.
thin stared then laughed. but ] did
not laugh In return. aud being III.
strongest mnn In tho band and tho
-nrosi with tho rino. hc did not trlilo
long. bu, listened Ia my plans and In
pnft consented To them. 80 that ro-
treated Ia my post NJ tho gateway with
somo,hing like confidence, while he,
approaching the door. lifted the knock.
or aud let 4, fall with rcsoundlng
clnnR ,hn, must have rung like knoll
Of death to the hearts within.
For tho Judge knew our crrnnd. ]
.nw I, In his fncc when he ross 10 his
fcoi and he had no hope, for VIZ Ind
never fnilrd In our attempts, md the
house though strongly built, was cns.
ily nssnilnblc.
| While the Captain knocked three
men hnd scnlcd the portioo. and were
ready TO enter the open windows II
the Judge refused 10 pnrlcy or offered
nny resistance Ia wbnt wns known Ms
the Captains will.
Death TO the judgc'" was the cry.
and 1, was echoed mol only ai the door,
but around the house whore the rest
Of tho men Ind drawn Gordon ready
10 wnylny any ono who sought 10 cs-
cape. Death 10 tho judgef And the
Judge wns loved by thnt woman. and