Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-21

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 He put the neck of u buttcrcd cantecn to
 her lips,
 graph stealer that he might turn her over to the military authorities of his own army rp br hanged. and now he was suddenly plunged into terror for fear she had urV,l ki!l,d He went on, but with nvw object distinct ill his mind. It was not to injuro Miss Baggs, but to sucCOr her
 He soon came to tho heap of splinters and iron which marked the point of collapse of Miss Baggs' buggy. Miss Bags was not visible. Had she taken to the wood beyond the fork of the road: For moment there was a delightful sense of relief but it was soon followed by the animal instinct of the savage chasing an object of prey. Stimulated by this, or a return of sense of duty, or both, he was about to ride into the wood. when, looking down on the long grass by the roadside, he deserted the unconscious body, the face apparently white in death. of the woman he sought.
 In n moment tho corporal was off his horse and on his knees beside her Tho chase ill which ho had been so eager and the cause were both forgotten on seeing Miss Bags lying apparently cold ill death at his feet
 ''Darlin. are ye hurt"
 There was agony in the corporalt voice. He put an arm under her head to raise it. With the other he graspcd her hands.
 ''To the divil's own kcepin with tkc war anyway, Whats it good for ex cept to injurc innocent women and chil- dren:"
 In that nOnre>iStanCe of unconscious ness ho forgot that this woman had been engaged ill what the world condemns openly, if not secretly. as illegitimate warfare. To him she was innocent, not that he reasoned upon her acts, but be- cause mysterious sOmethinS-a breath from spirit land-had made her more to him than all the world beside. He laid his head down upon her breast to listen if the heart beat; hc chafed her hands and arms; kc took off his cap and fan ned her. Still she lay limp in his arms without n sign of life, "Darlin. darlin, come back to life Como back, if it's only long enough to tell me yr forgive Me for me cowardly chasln yr, Olive killed yc. Oi know it. Oi wish :un.o one would run bayonct through mo own rotten heart. slight m:!rmur, something like a groan, escaped her.
 Praise God. there's life If it'd only grow stronger! An, thank heaven there water!
 Laying h,r head down ill tho grass, I he went to tho Nido of tho road where ! there Was a runnel of clear water SCOoping some of it in his two hands, he threw it in her face.
 She opened her eyes. i Corporal Ratigan never forgot the look with which his prisoner regarded him when she recognized who he was. | There were two expressions following each other rapidly-tho first, rcproach; but when she noticed the pain with 1 which it was received it melted into one of tenderness.
 ''Ah, Rats " she exclaimed faintly, "how could you do it:" | He put his great hands-brown from | exposurC-bCforc his eyes to shut out | the faCo which at every glance kindlCd some new emotion to rack him. Now | that she had come to life another terror came to him to administer an added 1 torture. He knew that mounted mon wero following; that they would soon appear over the crest just behind them; that his prisoner would be taken, tried and condemned.
 They're comin! They'll be hero in jiffy!" he cried wildly. Tell me that ye forgive me Tell me that ye don't hate mo as hate meself.
 For doing your duty, Rats?'
 Duty, Is it a mans duty to run 1 down n woman like hare? Don't talk to mo of duty. If ye suffer for this, I Oi'll desert and go back to Oireland, and God be praised if he'll send storm to sink the ship and me in il. There's a drop ill me CanteCn-a drop of whisky. l Will ye take it, darlin-I mean-I don't know what I'm talkin about. Let mo put it to yer lips. Take n swallow It'll revive ye. No?" She appeared to be passing bacl; to unconsciousness ''Take it for moi sake. sweetheart Only take a good swallow, and yell be righted."
 She opened her eyes. Evidently she had heard There was an expression on her face indicating that his words had produced that effect upon her which might be expected in a woman who hears q strong man, unCOnSciously and unintentionally, declaring his love.
 Why do you wish mo to live, Rats: Don't let me live, If you do, I'll die on the gibbct." "
 "Oh, darlin," he moaned, don't bt talkin that way. Oill dio meself first Oi'll raise mutiny. Oin''-
 He could not go on. His words mocked him. He well knew their futil ity. Take n drop, swcetheart-only { drop for moi sake.
 ~What change 'r'n the day he had jokingly asked ncr to tallo an oath fol "moi sake"
 For your sake, Rats, Give it t, me.
 He put the neck of battered tin can teen to her lips, and she drank littl, of the liquid It produced beneficial change at once. A tinge of color camt to her checks, and she breathed mor' easily.
 A clattering of horses hoofs, a clank ing of sabers, mounted figures standin! out against the morning sky on the cres behind them, and three cavalrymen ar dashing on to where lies Miss Bagg and kneels the corporal.
 Promise me, Rats, that you will d. nothing foolish. ' she asked pleadingly
 70 God! Oi'm going to draw m' revolver on 'em. m"
 Promise. ''