The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1892-04-22


about, then suddenly pressed the red,
warm lips upon the cold. white brow.
As II the deed had been compulsory
she started to her feet and, like q
deer sped across the plain to
bring him help, without which he must
die.
.Remember, do not let him know
that l had him brought here she
commanded the men, as they laid
him on the hospital cot, and each one
swore his obedience.
'Marie!!" He had grown strong and
well again since that cruel night; but,
try as he would to draw nearer to this
strange. fitful child. she was an iqnis
fatuus. whom he could not approach.
he called her from the door of
his tent. Come here, little one; I
have something to show you. Slowly
she came towards him. He drew
a picture from his breast.
IL will show you something very
sacred to me, Marie" Gordon CON
tinued; They say the soldiers always
confde to you their trusts and if some
fine day die on the battle field, you
must take this from my body and send
it to the address written on the back.
IL is the portrait of my promised
wife"
Had the night grown coldp Was she
awake or dreaming? Before her
there fiuttered a laughing face OF ex-
quisite beauty. She saw it all-the
delicate, high-bred air, the peerless
head, the slender, perfect figure; but her
eyes grew very wistful. and her cheek
paled. The summer night had lost
its freshness. and the child her youth.
Another hot fight drew to its close.
Gordon Graham had been taken pris-
oner by the enemy, they told Marie,
and b laughed to hear the news, but
IN the laugh something sounded like a
sob. The camp seemed strangely
empty without him. Had that high
born beauty in her far-oT home heard
the news, she wondered, and did he
still look for comfort at the face he
carried next his hearth Her revenge
must wait awhile now. He would be
back 500 But what was this which
crept from lip to lip along the campo
The return OF an important prisoner
had been demanded by the enemy, or,
ere twenty. four hours had passed, Cor
don Graham would be shot through
the heart.
Their messenger had been DELAYED
on the way and 10Y but SIX hours in
tervened before the appointed time
too late for aid TO reach him. Mario
pause not an instant but fastened to
the commander.
Send what other messengers YOU
will" she pleaded ''but give me your
swiFtest horse and the papers which
Will save him, and | will reach tho
camp"
The chief knew something of how
well she might be trusted, and with a
God-speed sent her on her way. On
and on, like q bird of the desert she
flew through the silent night, until. as
the dawn was breaking in the east,
the white tents of the enemy greeted
her vision. Higher and higher rose
the god OF day. Would there yet be
time? faster and faster she spurred
s"S "S' S1SOt' uutll Ill lLG Instance
she saw Il group of men file out, and
knew the hour for the fatal volley was
at hand. She raised her handker-
chief; she shouted aloud. All in vain.
But now the camp was reached. She
saw the solitary figure standing SO
bravely before the muskets which
waited but the word to deal death to
his young life.
"Nordon" she cried; and at the
sound of hcr voice, which for the first
time uttered his name. he turned.
The paper huttered in her hand as
the one wort 'One!" rang out on the
summer air.
Stop she commanded; then sped
like an arrow from its bow. and threw
herself upon his breast.
She had not heard the order
dire not seen the hasty gesture
with which he would have undone his
work. Too latei one solitary bullet
destined for Gordon Graham's heart.
found its way into the white, ~quivering
flesh of the girl who had ridden to her
death.
1T is best 500 she murmured, as
they gathered about her and took the
paper from her hands. at would
have been as you said, Gordon-an uu-
seXed old age. l meant to take re-
venge for that word. | will take it
now. Give me n kiss before I die.
and tell my children died al my post.
One kiss her voice grew fainter as
he stopped and gathered her in his
arms, 1T will do her whom you love
no wrong"
A dry sob was in the strong mans
throat as he pressed his lips to hers.
MY child" he said. how little
am worthy. Low dared / Judge
you! Marie. forgive me-"
But ere her lips smiling at his kiss,
could give answer to his prayer, death
had sealed them. Marie had taken
her reven@e Spare Moments.