The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-12-27
Jim caught and held him fast.

half a dozen men, in blue uniforms
with shoulder straps and gorgeous gold
lace, lowering about her, each eager, it
seemed, for a word, smile from her.
She had taken the officers to board, for
protection, she said. So much Jim had
learned and told to Austin Reid before
they venturcd In. Now, they saw her
cheeks two damask roses, her eyes full
Of happy light as she played or sang for
each of the group around her whatever,
he most desired.
There was charming light coquetry
in it all. Her eyes fairly danced some
times as she broke from some patriotic
song into the chords of "Dixie" or ::My'
Maryland The watchers outside saw
that she was somehow full of triumph.
Reid began to breathe hard. Jim laid
hand over his lips.
Presently the men began to go away
one by one. For each Lisette had gay
good night, but not one of them touched
her hand. At last only one remained,
handsome fellow, tall and soldierly,
with colonel's strap on his shoulder,
He had been throughout the evening tha
most silent of the group. with consum=
ing fire eyed silence that had made
Reid ache to throttle him. Now he came
close to Lisette. The piano sat in re-
cess by the end window, outside which
the two men crouched. Those within
were bare two yards away. Involun-
tarily Jim crouched lower, then nearly
sprang upright Fhe man inside mad
taken Lisette in his arms and laid his
lips to hers in a long, long kiss.
Reid sprang up like one mad. Jim
caught and held him fast.
''Be quiet You must !' he said, with
his mouth at the others ear. Reid was
struggling with giant strength.
"Let me go! I will kill yon if you
try to stop mel" he painted. "God, she
is my wifev'
"No; she is mine'' the other said,
still holding him hard. "It was Jim
who died in the swamp that night.
Heaven knows wish it had been me.
took his coat and put my ring upon his
finger. Darkness dnd the poison did the
rest. Now you know all. Let us get out
Of this. She has enough to answer for
without your blood"
The two had fallen to earth in their
struggle. A thunderous sound came to
them as they lay along it. By the time
they had scrambled up there came DASH.
ing out of the world of dusk full thou
sand of the merriest rough riders the
world has ever seen. They might have
sprung magically from earth, SO wild
and sudden was their coming. Straight
at the sleeping camp they rode. 1t was
trot, gallop, charge, load, fire, strike
home-a melee of horns and heofs and
saber flashing, with the rebel yell ring
ing clear through the still night and
twice 500 voices shouting:
morgan! Morgan! John Morgan's
come to townP'
Surprised in sleep though they wers,
the bluecoats rallied gallantly. At the
first shot the colonel had dashed from
the house to find himself confronting
Austin Reid. Next minute he had been
flung heavily to earth and felt q strong
hand gripping his throat. Some ono
pulled it away. He heard a voice say
huskily:
LOU AAuA up, AunClu Ou0 lS uOC
worth it. say that-and love her still,
better than my life"
The colonel dashed away, shouting
alond to his men. they had formed
about the mansion and sent out volley
after volley that emptied many sad
die. Lisette ran out, white and scream
ing, toward the thick of the fight. Aus
tin Reid made to lay hold on her, but
the other thrust him aside. Clasping
her close, he ran for cover of thick
sshrubbery at the farther gata, Almest
he had reached it when there came
a cross fire from friend and foe.
One heaven sped bullet was merciful.
1t went through the pair and left them
without sense or motion. Over and
ground the dip Of battle swelled, But
one husband Of a fair wife had made
sure of her, alike for time and for eter-
nifty.
THE END,
Rising Son-Father, I don't believe
had better go into business with Upp.
right
Father-Why not, my son?
Rising Son-He told me this morn,
ing that with him there was no such
word as fail. -Clothiey and Furnishsr.