Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-27

but from the ght of his death, for she
loved him.
This from me! No wonder the captain
stared, then laughed. But | did not laugh
in return, and. being the strongest man
in the band and the surest with my rifle,
he did not triha long, but listened to my
plans and, in part, consented to them, so
that retreated to my post at the gate
way with something like confidence, while
he, approaching the door, lifted the knock
er and left it fall with 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 lad never
failed in our attempts, and the house,
though strongly built, was easily assail-
able.
While the captain knocked, three men
had scaled the portico and were ready to
enter tue windows il the judge refused to
parley, or offered any resistance to what
was known as the captain S will.
death to the judge!' was the cry, and
it was echoed not only at the door but
around the house, where the rest of the
men had drawn a Gordon ready to waylay
any one who sought to escape. Death to
the judged And the judge was loved by
that woman and would be mourned by her
till. But voice is speaking, voice
from out that great house, and it asks
what is wanted and what the meaning is
of these threats of death.
And the captain answers short and
sharp:
The regulator commands, but he never
explains. What he commands now is for
Judge Hawkins to come forth. IT he
shrinks or delays, bis house will be entered
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.
at is well: he will come forth" cried
voice, and then in huskier tone: LET
me kiss the woman I love. | will not
keep you long"
And then the captain answered nothing,
only counted out clearly and steadily,
"Cne-two - three" up to hundred;
then he paused, turned and lifted his
hand; wren instantly four rifles rose, and
at the same moment the door, with a
faint grating sound | shall never forget,
slowly opened, and the firm, unshrinking
figure or the Judge appeared.
We did not delay. One simultaneous
burst of fire, one loud quick crack, and his
figure fell before our eyes. A sound, u
cry from within, then all was still, and the
captain, mounting his horse, gave one
quick whistle and galloped away. We
followed him, but was the last TO mount,
and did not follow long, for at the fash OF
those gins had seen a smile cross our
victim 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 it.
There it was, and behind it a house
mpty as my heart had been since that
day. A mans dress covering a 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 had fixed upon her lips, | found The
soul had never know that | possessed
until that day.
*The Hartford Times says that of all the stories
of the heroic self-sacrifce of beautiful women,
this one has been voted the best