Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-05-06

iuS pcaL SWiitly she stoopS. and.
with rapid. skillful fingers. binds up
his wounds her eyes fearless. but a
great sob in her throat
My revenge must wait" she
murmurs. as il in excuse of the act.
He would not know it. Besides no
is one of my children. though I-Ihate
him."
Poor little girl! Even as the words
escaped her. she bent still lower tho
dainty head. cast one ha,ty glance
about then suddenly pressed the red.
warm lips upon the cold white brow.
As If the decd had been compulsory
she started to her feet and. like
deer, sped across tho plain TO
bring him help. without which he must
die.
Remember do not let him know
that | had him brought here" she
commanded tho men, as they laid
him on the hospital cot and each ono
swore his obedience
n \ \
'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 ignis
tdtuus. whom he could not approach.
he called her now from the door of
his tent Como here little one; |
have something 10 show you Slowly
she came towards him. He drew
picture from his breast
Il will show you something very
sacred TO me. Marie" Gordon con.
tinued; They say the soldiers always
contide 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 cold? Was she
awake or dreaming? Before her
there futtered 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 it's close
Gordon Graham had been taken prs
oner by the enemy they told Marie
and she 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-otf home heard
tho news. she wondered, and did he
still look for comfort at the face he
carried next his heart? Her revenge
mn axtrlat
back soon. But what was this which
crept from lip to lip along the camp?
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 tho way and now but six hours in
tervened before the appointed time
too late for aid to reach him. Marie
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 the
camp"
The chief knew something of how
well she might DO trusted, and with q
God-speed sent her on her way. On
and on, like bird OF the desert she
few through the silent night until. as
the dawn was breaking in the east
the white tents Of tho enemy greeted
her vision. Higher and higher rose
the god of day. Would there yet be
timer Faster and faster she spurred
the weary steed until in the distance
she saw a 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 tho camp was reached. She
saw the solitary figure standing Sc
bravely before the muskets which
waited but the word TO deal death to
his young life.
''Gordon" she cried; and at the
sound OF her voice, which for the first
time uttered his name he turned.
The paper huttered in her hand as
the one word 'One!" rang out on the
summer air.
Stop" she commanded; then sped
iihp an oAio" YIN iIo OOW, anu Threw
herself upon his breast
She had not heard the order
Fire" not seen the hasty gesture
with which he would have undone his
work. Too late! one solitary bullet.
destined for Gordon Graham's heart
found it's way into the white quiverine
flesh of the girl who had ridden TO hel
death.
1t is best So" she murmured as
they gathered about her and took the
paper from her hands. ut would
have been as you said. Gordon-an an
sexed old age. meant to take re-
veuge for that word. l will take il
now. Give me one kiss before die,
and tell my children died at 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, How dared ! judge
you! Marie forgive me-"
But ere her lips smiling at his kiss.
could give answer to his prayer death
had scaled them. Marie had taker
her revenge. Spare Moments.