Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-05

fears had returned To me WITH uOuDiti'i'S'
had crept steaithily toward that incur
tanned window and looked in.
FASCINATING FAcr.
What did ! see? At first nothing but
calm. studious figure bending above
batch of closely-written parers. upon
which the light shono too brightly Tor me
20 percci re much OF what Law behind them.
But gradually On Influence, OF whose WORK
:ngs was scarce conscious. drew my ewes
away. and began 10 discover on every
SIDE strange and beautiful objects when
greatly interested inc. untlf suddenly ny
ewes fell mon a vision of loneliness so en-
chanting that | forgot 10 look elsewhere
and became for the moment nothing pu'
sight and feeling.
II was a picture. or so thought IN tne
first instant Of awe aud delight bu'
presently | saw that IL wa' a woman.
living and full of thoughts that Lad never
been mine. and at the discovery sudden
trembling seized me, for | had never seen
anything like her beauty, while she saw
nothing but the man who was bending
over his paDers. There was door OF
something dark behind her, and against ~
her tall. strong figure. clad IN close wbite
gown. stood ont with a distinctness that
was rot altogether earthly.
But if was fer face that held me ana
new man. For IN it | discerned what !
had never believed in till nov, devotion
that had no limit and love which asked
nothing in return. She seemed 10 DC
faltering on the threshold of that room
az one who would like to enter but does
not dare, and in another moment, with
smile that pierced me through. she turned
rs If 70 go. Instantly ! forgot everything
bu. my despair and leaned forward with
bof MOI nVQcQnpn.
She glanced quickly toward the window.
and seeing me turned pale, even while she
rose in height ill felt myself shrink and
grow small before her.
No RELIEF FOR HER.
Thrusting ont her hand she caught from
the table before her what looked like q
small dagger, and holding II up advanced
upon me with blazing eyes and parted ups,
not seeing that the Judge had risen 10 his
feet, not seeing anything but my face glued
against tho pane and staring with an ex-
preston that must have struck 10 the heart
as surely rs her look pierced mine. When
she was almost upon mo | turned and led.
Hell could not have frightened me. but
Heaven did and for me that woman was
Heaven, whether she smiled or frowned.
eazed upon another with love, or raised a
dagger 10 strike mo 10 the ground.
How soon met mv mates ! cannot say:
In few minutes, doubtless. for they had
stolen after Inc and had detected me run
nIng gway from the window. was forced
20 tell my tale and told it anhestatingly.
for / knew ] could not save him-lt
wanted to-and asked that she be spared
not only from sharing his fate, but from
tho sight Of lis death, for She loved him
This from mo- No wonder the captain
stared, then laughed. But did not laugh
In return. ami being the strongest man IN
the band and the sureet with my rife he
did not trihe long. but listened 10 my plans
and IN part consented TO them. so That J
retreated % my post at the gateway with
something like confidence, while lie. ap-
preaching the door, lifted the knocker and
let it fall with resounding cling tAat
must have rung like q knell of death to the
hearts within.
THE JUDGES DEtTH-ENEIL.
For the Judge knew our Grand: saw il
IN bis face when ne rose to his feet, and he
had no hope. for we had never failedin our
rttempts. and the house. though strongly
built. was easily assailable.
While the Captain knocked three men
had scaled the portico and were ready to
enter he open windows if the Judge re-
fused 10 pariev or offered anv resistance to
what was known as tne Captains Will.
Death 10 the Judge" was the cry, and
il was echoed not onle At the door but
around the house. whore the rest of the
men had drawn Gordon ready 10 waylay
any ono who sought TO escape. Death 10
tine judge? Aud the judge was loved hy
that woman and would be mourned by her
till
But 4 voice is speaking. q voice from out
that great house. and II ASKS what IS want
"a and what the meaning Is Of these
threats of death.
And the Captain answers short and
sharp:
explains. What he commands now Is for
judge Hawkins 10 come forth. If he shrinks
or delays his house will be entered and
burned. but il he will come out and meet
like a man what awaits him his house
shall 60 free and his family remain unmo-
Tested"
And what is it that awaits him?" pur-
sued tho voice.
Pour bullets from four unerring rifles, {"
returned the Captain.
1T il we'll he viii come forth" cried
the voice, and then in a huskier voice !:
Let me Hiss the woman | love. l will not
keep GU long"
SMILING AT DEATH.
And the Captain answered nothing. only
counted out clearly and steadily: One
two-three.n mp to hundred; then he
paused. turned and lifted his hand when
instantly four rifles arose. and at the same
moment the door, with a faint grating
sound ] shall never forget, slowly opened
and tho firm. unshrinking figure of the
Judge appeared.
We DID not delay. One simultaneous
burst of fire. ono loud quick crack. and
his figure fell before our eyes. sound, q
crv from within. then all was still, and the
Captain, mounting his horse, gave ono
quick whistle and Galloped away. We fol-
lowed him. but | was tho last to mount,
and did not follow long, Tor at the flash of
those guns | had seen smile cross our
victims lips, and my heart was on fire, and
| could not rest till found my way back
to that open doorway and the figure lying
within II.
There it was, and behind it house empty
as my heart has been since that day. A
mans dress covering woman's form-and
over the motionless, perfect features that
same smile which had seen in the room
beyond and again in the quick glare of
the rifles.
had harbored no evil thought concern
ing her. but when beheld that smile now
sealed and fixed upon her lips found the