The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-29

Alpls receiving private instructions. A
detachment would cross the river some
what aboYe. half an hour in advance
and it was hoped to thus capture the
English party. fsaw Di listened anx-
iously, and as soon as our plans were
laid and we were alone I went over to
report to her She caught my hand nerv-
ously.
Robert. . she exclaimed, care You
going?"
I explained that it was differently ar
ranged, and she sighed quickly, turn
ing her face away. No victory, no cry
of battle could have given me the cour-
age of that little sigh of relief that was
not to leave herl
The party left, all but Alpin inform
ed of the trap awaiting them. Then for
three hours we, the officers and myself,
having placed the regiment in waiting
for attack, waited anxiously. We were
in an adjoining room to the one in
which Di lay still upon the lounge.
Now and then went to the door and
watched her in silence. She had fallen
into deep sleep from the exhaustion
and excitement Of her walk. In the dim
light even I saw how pale and worn her
face had grown since saw it last. The
outline was no longer. round, the hue no
longer soft and blooming, but it was Di
gtill-little Di, for all the change, and
as | watched her. my heart would al,
most force me to kncel down and call
upon her to look up and tell me'she
had come for my sake as we'll as for the
country I now knew she loved as loyal
ly as myself 7@ea IA.
l think it was daybreak when we
heard the tramp of mems feet outside.
Tho rain had ceased; the room was full
of trembling gray light I found Di by
the window, whence she looked out on to
the steep embankment she had SO brave
ly assembled. In q moment the room was
full of men. Our plan had worked well.
There were six English officers and Al.
pin in captivity. In the confusion and
excitement of their arrival I did not
standing near me, who suddenly cried
out, "Montaguer,, And I recognized
that one of my prisoners was my old
rival, Uncle Blake's guest
Captain Montague looked at me cold
~, but on hearing Dianas voice his
whole expression changed. He glanced
swiftly in her direction, surprise, then
something like anguish, darkening his
handsome face. Not word was spoken
for that moment. Diana had returned
his look with one which for an instant
sent stab of pain to my heart, but at
once her eyelids dropped and she turned
away.
Presently I made an excuse to order
all but Captain Montague to withdraw.
Then we three found ourselves, strangely
enough, together.
Montague was tho first to speak.
Colonel Blake" he said coldly, and
not looking at the little figure by the
fire, but straight at me, may I ask
where am to go?" "
Probably to Trenton" I answered
quietly, and added, with as much friend
illness as could put in my voice, cap
tain Montague, Iregret sincerely to find
you my prisoner.
He waved his hand, with q bitter
smile.
1.-THE information, he said, turning
his head for half an instant toward my
cousin, twas brought you by-Miss
Leigh"
saw the culver that shot through
the girls whole frame and that the lit
tie hand holding the folds Of her cloak
was drawn together on her breast with
O painful tension. =
"There is no mystery, said. "Miss
Leigh heard Of the plan and with her
faithful maid here, Keziah Martin, :"
(Kcziah's head wagged and o most
dolorous voice whiinpered, ooh, don't,
Master Robert, don't, sir" with her
maid" went on sturdily, "contrived
to give me the warning, but am quite
sure she had no idea you were in the
party"
Sho moved now. rose and came for
ward slowly to his sido with her little
hands outstretched.
"Robert was right" she said in a
low voice. 81 did not know. am glad
1 did net. Oh, let US say-goodby kind
ly." There was break inher voice,
and tho next words camo with touching
emphasis: "When we saw each other
last, Captain Montague, said-some
bitter things-but it was because-my
heart was SO sore. did not mean them
harshly could not--I felt had done
wrong leading you to believe
Her head dropped. The color famed
rich scarlet in her cheeks.
Montague smiled sadly.
Leading me to believe" ho said, in
clear, cold tones, "that perhaps you
would come to love me. Yes. Miss
Leigh, for time l was fool enough to
think so, but my folly was short lived.
II was over-weeks ago." 80
Hours CT bitter trial and Of WEAKNESS
followed on that morning, days of fiercs
struggle-years Of life that both in
the intensity of joy and sorrow might
have made tho past faint ard dim, yet
find that not detail of TIE picture hes
ever grown shadowy, not an ocho Of tho
WORDS spoken grown faraway. Writing
as I do now, in my library at Blake
House, seeing, as / lift my eyes, my
grandchildren playing On the lawn be-
fore my window, can yet, by closing