San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-01-19

hoarse whisper. Think what you
will. but, for Gods sake, hear me. l
have just left the general. He is
angered, vengeful. He knows all-your
real name, your attachment to Stuart,
your mission to the river"
"And you told him!" The scorn in her
voice was infinite you"
81 come to save you," he answered,
rapidly, the great effort to be calm only
betrayed by heaving chest, and nails
that dug into his clinched hands evil
ify. despise me as you must in thought,
but waste no time in words. You re-
member that night? Women like you
forget no more than men like me.
Then swore to serve you to the death.
Stop! / know what you would say; the
gulf between us-the shame-the hor-
rorI Oh, God! Carolyn, do not stop for
that! You life-your honorary worth
less life not counted-all rest on one
single instant now! Come; You are
freep'
- Something in the strong, low-spoken
words, will hers could not combat,
forced the girl to listen, even while she
shuddered and shook her head. Then,
as the man eagerly, pleadingly, held out
his hand, she drew back, her old self
once more.
keep baclSr' she cried, with flashing
eyes. "You are lying to me!-lying for
your revenge! He who could betray his
country would not scruple to betray
helpless woman"
A shadow of agony unspeakable
swept the mans face, and his lips
opened as if to speak. But a mighty
effort closed them again; and he an
swered only with pleading gesture to
the door.
Leave mel" the woman said, low but
imperiously. $50! or call the guard!'
Bitter, hard as you are" the man
answered, calmly, but with laboring
breast, "your pride will ruin all. Miss
Clay, by every memory of the past-by
the grave of my dead MOTHER swear l
speak the truth. In the copse yonder
stands my horse. The sentry is-power-
less. An hours ride brings you to
roads you know; sunrise sees you safe
with confederate cavalry. By my soul,
swear speak only truth"
"And did / trust you"
Eyes, know" he interrupted, eager
~, almost happily. .If you do, it is
not that you hate-despise me less, but
that you must use such vile means for
the cause! VA you Gomez
Again he extended his hand, entreat-
ing. Again the woman drew back
with shudder.
"Oh, God! Dare ] trust this man?"
burst from her lips in half sob.
You can!' he whispered, eagerly.
"You can trust me as you could Evan,
for your o1on sake-for your cause-for
little Fairfax
'tY0u know?" She stared at him.
Eyes, l know" He hesitated an in
slant, adding, almost fercely: st is the
spy's business-the trditOr'S-to know
all. Poor little Fairfaxr'-again his
voice softened to infinite tenderness
she will die-you will murder him-un-
less you use these means to save. An
hours ride, and you are free, safe
among friends"
With something like asob he finished,
raising his hand to push the damp hair
back from his forehead. The embers
aickered into blaze again, throwing
hull light upon his face, and the woman,
--hesitant till then-again drew back,
shuddering.
"An omen!" she cried "That scar
Gains brand upon your forehead-warns
me not to trust the traitor!''
He stared at her wondering.
"Hypocriter' she answered to the
look, 81 too know all-the swift con-
federate brand upon you-Capt. Charl-
toms bullet marked"
Charlton
A great amaze made his face blank
one instant. Then the name passed his
lips, low, vengeful as a curse. His
breast rose and fell, as he dashed his
hat to his head, striding one step to-
wards her
obstinate, relentless!'' he said, rap
Idly, in hollow voice. 'Win you prove
selfish as wellP Carolyn Clay, have
said what man dare say. Did say one
word more,-did cOnUiRce you,-then
should despise myself as you despise mel
have solemnly sworn to save you, al
risk of-of all that is left to meat
risk of losing what a girl like you could
never dreaml A moment more, the
relief comes, and al is lost; for swear
;oiR not leave this hut alone! No; do not
answer: there is no time. If your OWL
honor Is risked, - if your mothers
heart is broken,-if little Fairfax dies
for want of remedies his prideful sisteI
might have won him,-then call Coo
20 witness that the sin is on you
headr'
The woman's bosom rose and fell
words rushing to her lips died upo1
them: she heard her own haai.t hea IN.