The Red Cloud chief., 1895-02-15

might be expected in a woman who
hears a strong man, unconsciously and
Internationally, declaring his love.
why do you wish me TO live, Rats?
Don't let me live. If you do, I'll die
On tho gibbet."
"Oh, darlin," he moaned, don't be
talkin that way. OIL die meself first.
OIL raise % mutiny. Oi'll"-
He could not go on. His words
Knocked him. Ho well knew their fulfil.
ity. Take q drop, SIMULTANEOUSLY a
drop for moi sake"
What q change from the day he had
jokingly asked her to take an oath for
''moi sake!''
"For your sake, Rats. Give it to
me-"
He put tho neck Of q battered tin can.
teen to her lips, and she drank a little
Of the liquid. It produced a beneficial
change at once. A tinge Of color came
to her cheeks, and she breathed more
easily.
A gathering of horses hoofs, % clank.
ing of sabers, mounted figures standing
out against tho morning sky OH the crest
behind them, and three cavalrymen arc
dashing on to where lies Miss Bags
and kneels the corporal.
Promise Inc, Rats, that you will do
nothing foolish" she asked pleadingly.
80 Godl Dim going to draw me
revolver Oh EN-"
Promise"
IL can't"
"For moi sake, Rats"
The faintest trace of q smile, despite
her desperate situation, passed over her
face rs she initiated tho corporal's pro.
nunciation. The quaint humor, min.
gled with 80 many singular traits prom
inent in her that could show itself at so
critical q moment, touched q responsive
Irish chord in his Irish heart and brought
him to terms.
"For your sake. darlin, Oi'll do it,"
no said in u 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 xode
up to where the two were.
Whats it all about, corporate" ask.
ed n Of them.
II found this-this lady-lying here.
Her buggy 10 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. Ono of ye'd better ride back
for an ambulance and a surgeon"
Never mind tho surgeon" said
Miss Baggs family.
"Wcll, bring the ambulance any.
way" said Ratigan. aye can all 20
back II ye like. Oi'll stay with her.
She's mo w prisoner"
There's no need of all going" said
the man who had spoken. I'm go my
He turned and rode away, while the
others ~dismounted and threw the reins
OF their brides owe q 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
take q 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" said Miss Baggs, who was
now rapidly recovering strength and
GOODNESS. lit will not DO long before I
shall DO separated from you. Before
l wish to thank you for tho kind.
ness, tho interest, even tho tenderness,
with which You have treated a fallen
enemy. And wish to ask your forgive.
ness for the deception I practiced on
you once when you were deputed to see
through the lines"
What was that compared with what
Oi'vo done?" no moaned.
"Do you forgive me?"
"Oi do. But Olive nothin to for.
And, Rats, you have unconsciously let
mo know that you-you feel more kind.
ly toward me than
you've robbed me Of me heart in.
well, I'm both glad and sorry. Il
Is delightful to DO loved, but sad Co
think that your very love must make
you grieve. Our meetings have been
and strange-very strange" she
added musingly. "Who are you Rats?
know You are we'll born. I can see It
IN every word and motion"
"Oi'm second son Of Sir Thomas Rat.
igan, Esq. Of County Cavan, Oireland.
At his death mo older brother succeeded
tho estate. So l came to America to
shift for meself. A year ago OF enlisted
tho Union ranks. and here OF am. OF
wish to God me brother was In his
coffin and OF in possession Of tho es.
tates, that Oi could give them all 90
your life.
mo, no, Rats. You are a soldier
and an honorable man. Remember
! have told you. You will do
your duty hereafter as you have done it
heretofore. Your words in that respect
ara meaningless. Your sense OF honor
will always triumph over your sym.
pathy when that sympathy is alloyed
with lishnnnr For tb,a o.