The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-03-07

WOOD, when, looking down on tho Ions
grass by the roadside, he dcsoried the
unconscious body, the face apparently
white in death, Of the woman he sought.
In a momont the corporal was off his
horse and OH his knoes beside her. The
chase in which ho had been so eager and
the cause Wcro both forgotten on seeing
Miss Baggs lying apparently cold in
death at his feet.
"Darlin, are ye hur&p"
There was agony in the corporal q
voice. He put al arm under her head to
raise it, With the other he grasped her
hands.
'To the divil's own keepin with the
war anyway. What's it good for OK
cept to injure innocent women and chill
dren?''
In that nonresistanoe Of unconscious.
ness ho forgot that this woman had been
engaged in what the world condemns
openly, if not socretly, as illegitimate
warfare. To him she was innocent, not
that he reasoned upon her acts, but be-
cause mysterious ssomething-a breath
from spirit land--had made her more to
him than all tho world beside. He laid
his head down upon her breast to listen
if the heart boat; he obafed her hands
and arms; ho took Off his cap and fan
ned her. Still she lay limp in his arms
without a sign Of life.
"Darlin, darlin, come back to life
Como back, if it's only long enough to
tell mo 20 forgive me for me oowardly
chasin yo. Oi've killed ye Oi know it,
OF wish como ono would run bayonet
through me own rotten heart"
slight murmur, something like q
groan, escaped her.
"Praise God, there's lifo If it'd only
grow strongeri All, thank heaven,
there's wateri'
Laying her head down in the grass,
he went to the side Of the road where
there was runnel Of olear water.
Scooping some Of it in his two hands, he
threw it in her face.
She opened her eyes.
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, reproach; !;
but when she noticed tho pain with
which it was received it melted into
ono Of tenderness.
"Ah, Rats. she exclaimed family,
chow could you do it?''
He put his great hands-brown from
exposure-boforo his eyes to shut out
tho face which at every glance kindled
somo new emotion to rack him. Now
that she had como to life another terror
came to him to administer al added
torture. Ho know that mounted men
were following; that they would soon
appear over the crest just behind them;
that his prisoner would be taken, tried
and condemned.
'They'ro comini They'll be here in
a jiffy" he cried wildly. "Tell mo
that ye forgive mo. Tell mo that ye
don't hato mo as hate meself."
For doing your duty, Rats?''
DUTY! Is it n lnan's duty to run
down woman like a hare? Don't tall
to mo of duty. If ye suffer for this
Oi'll desort and 90 back to Oireland, ant
God be praised if he'll send storm t.
sink the ship and me in it. There's
drop in me canteen-a drop Of whisky
Will yo take it, darlin-I mean
don't know what I'm talkin about Le
me put it to yer lips. Take swallow
It'll revive ye. No?'' Sho appeared tc
be passing back to unconsciousness.
'"Take it for moi sake, sweetheart.
Only take good swallow, and yell be
righted."
Sho opened her eyes. Evidently she
had hoard. There was an expression on
hor face indicating that his words had
produced that effect upon her which
might be expected in a woman who
hears strong man, unconsoiously and
unintentionally, declaring his love.
"Why do you wish mo to livo Rats2
Don't lot mo live. If you do, I'll die
OH the gibbet." ="
ooh, darlin," he noaned, "don't be
talkin that way. Oi'll die meself first.
Oi'll raise mutiny. Oi'll"-
Ho could not 60 on. His words
Knocked him. He we'll knew their futil-
ity. 'Tako drop, sweetheart--only a
drop for moi sake"
What q change from the day he had
jokingly asked her to take an oath for
"moi sakop'
For your sake, Rats. Give it to
NO."
Ho put the neck Of battered tin can
sSoAi w AiSh @APSB oiit cLo a. lltUlO
Of tho liquid. 1t produced beneficial
change at once. A tinge of color came
to her checks, and she breathed moro
easily.
A clattering Of horses hoofs, clank.
ing Of sabers, mounted figures standing
out against the morning sky OH the crest
behind them, ana three cavalrymon arc
dashing Oh to where lies Miss Baggs
and kneols tho corporal.
"Promiso mo, Rats, that you will do
nothing foolish" she asked pleadingly
80 God! Oi'm going to draw mo
revolver on EN-.
"Promiso. -
II can't"
''For moi sake, Rats. -
The faintest trace Of % smile, despite
her desperate situation, passed over her
face as sho initiated tho corporal S pro-
nunciation. Tho quaint humor, min.
gled with SO many singular traits prom
lnent i'll hor that could show itself at so
critical momont, touched a responsive
nj, L. Tt. 4 l.