Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-07-06

on what1 should say to the wife who so
loved the man who must die What could
l sayf Yet somehow I must break the
news. I asked Master LindstroIn to wait
where he was while consulted Tic Others
adding, You will answer for 1t that there
will hc To attack while you arc here, l
supposc:"
Il will he said knew I could trust
him, and l went in to tho duchess. closing
the door behind me, a change had come
over the room since had left it. The
moon had risen and was flinging its cold
white light through tho twisted and shat
tered framework of the window to fall in
three bright panels on the floor. The
torches in the street had for tho most part
burned out or been cxtinguishcd. In place
of the red glare, the shout IS and the crash
of glass. the atmosphere of battle and
strife had left, l found this silvery light
and a stiffness made more apparent by the
distant hum of many voices.
Mistress Anne was standing just within
the threshold, her face showing pale
against the gloon, her hands claspcd. Tho
duchess was knccling by her husband, but
sho looked up as entered.
They will let US all go, said bluntly-
it WIS best to tell tho tale ut once-"cx-
cept the one who hurt the patrol, that is "
1t was strange how differently the two
women received the news. While Mistress
Anne flung her hands to her face with q
sobbing cry of thankfulness and leaned
against the wall crying and shaking my
lady stood up straight and still, breathing
hard, but saying nothing Isaw that she
did not need to ask what would be done
to the one who was excepted. She knew
Ne" she murmurcd at last, her hands
Z n IrP we fsnn In In
II fear wo must. / said gently, calmly,
too, think. Yet in. saying it was not
quito myself. An odd sensation was grow
ing upon me in the stiffness Of the room
/ began on Il sudden, did not know why,
to thrill with excitement, TO trelnblo with
NERVOUSNESS such as would rather havo
become one of the women than q man.
My head grew hot, my heart began to beat
quickly / caught myself looking out,
listening, waiting for something to hap
pen, something to bc said. 1t WAS some-
thing mere terrible, rs it seemed to me,
than tho din and crash Of the worst mo-
mcnts of tho assault WHAT was j.? What
was it that WAS threatening my being? An
instant ana l knew.
'Oh, 10, nCvUr!'' cried tho duchess
again, her voice quivcring her Taco full of
keeDest pain. I'VE Will not give you up
We will stand or fall together friend"
Give you up! Give you up! Ha! The
veil was lifted now, and ! saw what the
something with the cold breath going be-
forc it was. / looked quietly from her to
her husband, and ! askcd-I fancy she
thought my question strangely irrc!event
at that moment: Flow is he? Is he bet
terri
Much better He knew ne for a mo-
Inont.' she answered. Then he seemed
to sink away again, but his eyes were
quite clear
/ stood gazing down at his thin face,
which had ever looked SO kindly into
mine. My fingers played idly with the
knot Of SIy sword. HOW'LL livef'' asked
abruptly, harshly.
She started ut the sudden question; but,
BRUTAL as it must have sounded, she was
looking, Mt me in pity so great and gcncr-
o;:s that it did not wound her. "Oh, yes"
she said, her eyes still clinging to mo II
think be Will live, thank heavcnr'
Thank heavcni All, yes, thank heaven!
l turned and Went slowly toward the
door, but before ] reached it she was ut
my siic-nay, was on her knees by INC
clasping Iny hand, looking up TO NE with
streaming eyes. What arc you going to
do:" she cried, reading, suppose, some
thing in my face.
- will see if Master Lindstrom cannot
get better terms for us, l answered.
She rose, still dctaining me. You arc
surel" shc said, still eying mo jealousy.
"Quito sure answered, forcing q
smile. Il will como back and report to
YOU"
She let me go them and went out and
| joined Lindstrom on the staircase.
Are you certain, +" 1 asked, speaking in
whisper. that they will; that the town
will keep its word and ST the others gog"
Il am quito sure Of Il, he replied nod.
ding. 'They are Germans, and hard and
pitilcss, but you may trust them. So far
will answer for them
Then we accept" 1 said gravely II
give myself up. Let them take mo-"