Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-05

fTOullse Ue, HATS, tnht you VIII uu
nothing foolish, sho asked pleadingly.
80 Godl Oi'm going to draw me
revolver on EN-"
Promise.
81 can't"
"For moi sake, Rats.
The faintest trace Of smile, despite
her desperate situation. passed over her
face as she initiated tho corporal's pro-
nunciation. The quaint humor, min
gled with so many singular traits prom
inent in her that could show itself at SC
critical moment, touched responsive
Irish chord in his Irish heart and brought
him to terms.
"For your sake, darlin. Oi'll do it, I"
no said in n despairing voice.
There was scarcely time for him 10
speak tho words-indeed they were
whispered with his lips touching her
ear-when tho threo cavalrymen rode
up To where tho two were.
whats it all about, corporal?'' ask
ed one Of them.
II found this-tlHs 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 10 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 60
back if ye like. Oi'll stay with her.
She's me own prisoner.
There's no need Of all going" said
tho man who had spoken. "I'll 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 rs 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" said Miss Baggs, who was
now rapidly recovering strength and
GOODNESS, lit will not be long before
shall be separated from you. Before
then | wish TO thank you for the kind
ness, tho interest, even the tenderness,
with which You have treated a fallen
enemy. And Iwish 10 ask your forgive
ness for the deception / practiced on
you once when you were deputed to SEE
me through the lines.
"What was that compared with WI, II
DIVE done?" he moaned.
''Do you forgive mei"
"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
You've robbed mo Of me bears in
tircly."
"Well, I'm both glad and sorry. IL
Is delightful to be loved, bu, sad 10
think that your very love must make
you grieve. Our meetings have been
few and strange-yery strange sb
added musingIy. "Who are you, Rats
I know you are we'll born. ! can SCI IL
In every word and molten.
"Oi'm second son Of Sir Thomas Rat
igan, Esq. of County Cayan, O4rCiaud
At his death no olCer brother su-CecCCa
10 the estate. So 7 CaIL3 20 America O.
shift for mcself. a year ago On cEli,t,d
In the Union ranks, ard here Oiar2. Oh
wish 10 God mo brother was il III
coffin and Oi in possession II tho cs
tates, that Oi could give them all
save your liz. "
mo, no, Rats. You are a soldiei
and an honorable man. RCneiEJcI
what l have told you lou will dc
your duty hereafter as you have done II
heretofore Your words IN that resp CO
are meaningless. Your sepGe Of honor
will always triumph over your sym
pathy when that sympathy il alloyed
with dishonor. For this | have con
ceiyed for you an unbounded respect
Perhaps We're | Tot 50. soon 10 bc'-
Don't speak it, for Gods sake don't
speak it. -
well. Rats, we will try for the
brief time we shall be together 10 fix |
bur minds on pleasant picture. Let
hs think Of that day when the south
will be independent, or at least when
north and south will be at peace. This
region, now troddon by soldiers wear
ing the blue and the gray, will be given
up to those simple people who till the
soil. Instead Of the sound of shotted |
guns there will be the lowing of cattle. |
Instead Of the singing Of mimic balls |
there will be the songs Of birds. There
will be peace, blessed peace, Oh, If
could only live to see it! Then perhaps |
may takc you by the hand, say to you
But, Rats, this can never be for u. IL
is only a fancy picture I've drawn tc
relieve that terrible suffering ] sec IN |
your face. You've aged ten years in a.
many minutes Don't look at mo in that
dreadful way. can't bear il. "
Tho two cavalrymen's backs were
turned. They were strolling toward the
woods. Rarigan put his arms about her,
and both yielded to a long embrace.
There were no more words spoken.
Words would have added nothing 10
what both felt. There was more rat
and more pleasure concentrated ii /
bosom of each than had been there
all the years they had lived.
(To BE CONTINUED
A IsacLniar