The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1892-01-02

held Inc and made of me from moment
to moment 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, like one
who would like to enter but does not
dare, and in another moment, with a
smile that pierced me through, she
turned as if to go. Instantly forgot
everything but my despair, and leaned
forward with an impetuosity that be.
trayed my presence. She glanced quick
ly toward the window, and seeing me
turned pale, even while she rose in
height till felt myself shrink and grow
small before her.
Thrusting out her hand she caught
from the table before her what looked
like 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 expression that must
have struck to the heart as surely as her
look pierced mine. When she was al
most 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 dag
ger to strike me to the ground.
How soon | met my mates | cannot
say. In a few minutes, doubtless, for
they had stolen after me and had de-
tected me running away from the win
dow. was forced to tell my tale, and
| told it unhesitatingly, for l knew |
could not save him-if wanted to-and
| knew should save her or die in the
attempt.
"He is alone there with girl" an
nounced. whether she is his wife or
not | cannot say, but there is no cross
against her name, and ask that she be
spared not only from sharing his fate,
but from the sight of his death, for she
loves him."
This from mel No wonder the cap
tain stared, then laughed But | did
not laugh in return, and being the strong
est man in the band and the surest with
my rife, he did not tride long, but lis
tened to my plans and in part consented
to them, so that | retreated to my post
at the gateway with something like con-
fidence, while he, approaching the door,
lifted the knocker and let it fall with q
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 had never
failed in our attempts, and the house,
though strongly built. was easily assail-
able
While the captain knocked three men
had scaled the portlco and were ready to
enter the open windows if the Judge re-
fused to parley or offered any resistance
to what was known as the captains 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 Gordon ready to way
lay any one who sought to escape. Death
to the judge And the judge was loved
by that woman and would be mourned
by her till But voice is speaking, a
voice from out that great house, and it
asks what is wanted and what the mean
ing is of these threats of death
And the captain answers short and
sharp:
The Ku-Klux commands, but never
explains. What it commands now is IL
Judge Hawkins to come forth If h
shrinks or delays his house will be en-
tered and burned, but if he will come
out and meet like a man what awaits
him his house shall go :ree and his
family remain unm olested."
"And what is it that awaits him?' pur-
sued the voice.
-Four bullets from four unerring
rifles" returned the captain.
''It Is well; he will come forth" cried
the voice, and then in huskier tone:
"Let me kiss the woman love. l will
not keep you long"
And the captain answered nothing,
only counted out clearly and steadily,
"One-two-three," up to a hundred;
then he paused, turned and lifted his
hand; when instantly our four rifles
rose, and at the same moment the door,
with faint grating sound shall never
forget, slowly opened and the firm, I'M
shrinking figure of 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,
a 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