The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-05-16

her face ind1catlng tnat MS WORDS nau
produced that effect upon her which
might be expected in woman who
hears strong man, unconsciously and
tnintentionally, declaring his love.
"Why do you wish me to live, Rats?
Don't let me live. If you do, I'll die
on the gibbet."
"Qh, darlin," he moaned, "don't be
talkin that way. Oi'll die meself first
Oil raise a mutiny. Oi'll'-
He could not go on. His words
Knocked him. He we'll knew their futil-
ity. :'Take drop, sweetheart-only a
drop for mol sake.,
What change from the day he had
jokihg1y asked her to take an oath for
''moi sake!''
"For your sake, Rats Give it to
me-"
He put the neck Of a battered tin can:
teen to her lips, and she drank little
Of the liquid. It produced beneficial
change at once. A tinge Of color came
to her cheeks, and she breathed more
easily.
A Gathering of horses hoofs, clankr
ing Of sabers, mounted figures standing
out against the morning sky on the crest
behind them, and three cavalrymen are
dashing on to where lies Miss Baggs
and kneels the corporal.
''Promise me, Rats, that you will do
nothing foolish, +" she asked pleadingly.
20 Godl Dim going to draw me
revolver on EN-"
''Promise. -
II can't"
''For moi sake, Rats"
The faintest trace of q smile, despite
her desperate situation, passed over her
face as she initiated the corporal's pro-
nunciation. The quaint humor, min
g1ed with SO many singular traits prom
inent II her thas could dsbow itself at so
critical moment, touched responsive
Irish chord In his Irish heart and brought
him to terms.
''For your sake, darlin, Oi'll do it, I"
he said in a despairing voice.
There was scarcely time for him to
speak the words-indeed they were
whispered with his lips touching her
ear-when the three cavalrymen rode
up to where the two were.
''What's it all about, corporal?" ask
ed one Of them.
II found this-this lady-lying here.
Her buggy is broken. She is badly
hurt. - The corporal spoke the words
haltingly. and drops Of sweat stood out
on his forehead.
"Who is she?''
"Well, that's to be found out some
other time. One Of ye'd better ride back
for an ambulance and surgeon
'Never mind the surgeon, said
Miss Baggs family.
"Well, bring the ambulance any
way" said Ratigan. ''Ye can all go
back if ye like. Oi'll stay with her.
She's me own prisoner"
'sThere's no need of all going" said
the man who had spoken. CPL go my
SELF
He turned and rode away, while the
others dismounted and threw the reins
Of their brides over fence rail. One
Of them caught Bobby Lee, who was
cropping the grass near by, occasionally
looking up as though suspicious that
something had happened. The men loi-
tered about; now and then approaching
to take look at the prisoner, but soon
turning away again, quite willing to be
free from the responsibility which Cor
poral Ratigan seemed disposed to take
upon himself.
''Rats, I" said Miss Baggs, who was
now rapidly recovering strength and
GOODNESS, ''it will not be long before
shall be separated from you. Before
then wish to thank you for the kind
ness, the interest, even the tenderness,
with which you have treated fallen
enemy. And wish to ask your forgive
ness for the deception I practiced on
you once when you were deputed to see
me through the lines''
':What was that compared with what
Olive done?' he moaned.
''Do you forgive me?''
'Oi do. But Olive nothin to for
give.''
"And, Rats, you have unconsciously let
me know that you-you feel more kind
ly toward me than
CONTINUED on last pageo