The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-11-25
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
1t was an impressive scene. The fine,
tall figure of the officer was drawn to its
full height, his face was expressive Of in
tense scorn. Martin Ray seemed to shrink
into insignificance before him, and yet he
faced him with n desperate kind of cour-
age. The two girls had drawn close to-
gether as though seeking protection from
each other. The wan sunlight lay in vel
low bars along the floor.
II have not come hither," said Cen
Hatton, ito handy words with you-to
seek a quarrel with you. You are one
with whom no gentleman could quarrel.
l have a message from the dead, and
wish to deliver it. Show me my sisters
children"
''They are here" said Martin Ray, not
without certain amount of dignity
''tne good children of a good mother"
Gen. Hatton waved his hand with n
gesture Of scorn. No word about his
dead sister could be tolerated from the
man whom he thought utterly vile and
base. He went to the girls, who stood,
with fear on their faces, hand in hand.
The composed, well-bred manner the low
bow, and the courteous bearing We're
something novel to them. He looked into
each sweet, shrinking face.
MY sisters children" he said, have
you any word of welcome for me: /
bring a message from your mother"
Leah freed her hand from her sisters
clasp and held it ont to him. He drew
her to him, and kissed the pale young
face. She found that he was trembling
with agitation and emotion. Then he took
Hettie in his arms and kissed her also.
Il was quite a young man." he said,
when | left home, and your mother was
much younger than l. She was my dear
ly beloved sister, playmate, and treasure.
Ii was n great grief to me to be obliged
to part from her when l went abroad.
remember her face. and in yours | see
some trace of it. What word of welcome
have you for me-
Impulsive Leah threw her arms around
him, and raised her face TO his.
Welcome home, dear uncle" she SAID
What is your name, dear child?' he
asked.
Leah" she replied.
Leah! 1t is a beautiful, sorrowful
name. Why did your mother give 1t to
YOU! Did she foresee shadow in YOUR
life? You look like Leah; no other name
would suit you. And you?" be continued,
turning to the younger sister.
Il am Hettie,' she said.
Heaven bless you, my dear; you have
a sweet face of your own. Your mother
babe me-here Is the letter-you can read
it-she babe me, when l returned home,
seek you. find you and save YOU"
Save u.s. cried Leah. From what"
"She must have known what she was
writing" replied the general. She was
sweet-tempered and never complained :;
but she died young, and of no complaint
to which men could give a name. She
was not happy, and she asked ne to save
you"
Martin Ray stepped forward.
Il will not allow you TO speak in thai.
fashion," he said. Their mother loved
me, and they love ne; You will never set
my children against me-
Il have no wish to do So" said the GEN
era, coldly. Knowing your true charac-
ter, as | suspect my sister knew it before
her death, l can imagine You to be quite
unit to have the charge of young girls !;
IT, Tpfore | bring their mothers message
to them, and they can make their choice y
why am l unfit cried Martin Ray,
his face white with rage-''in what
way"
Il judge you from your public charac-
ter. You are without honor, honesty and
loyalty; you are the very ringleader of Sc
dition: treason is natural atmosphere
to you. You live on the hard earnings
Of the people you mislcad. You spread
diSaffection, rebellion, ruin, misery and
death wherever you GO"
I II
seemed to her that these words Of her
uncle's gave life to horrible specter that
had always haunted her.
IF" continued the soldier you were
honest. should have some respect for
you. But you are an impostor; you, and
such as you, live on the hard-carned
pence Of the men you deceive. If you
gave to the people, instead of taking from
them, one might have some little faith in
you"
Il have given my life to the cause |
have at heart" rejoned Martin Ray.
You are not q fit person to have the
charge OF girls like these You would
sell them, heart and soul. TO further your
cause" and Leah shrank at the words
a sudden pain piercing her heart. You
value their youth, their fresh. sweet grace
and beauty, only so far as they will help
you and lure men to your belief whom
you cannot teach Yourself | declare to
heaven" he continued passionately, that
am relieved and grateful to find them
as they are. | should not have been sur
prised had | discovered that you had.
even young as they are, tried TO make
platform orators of them"
The random shot went home to the
very heart of Martin Ray. and blanched
Leah's face with a great fear This was
indeed the furnace of fire from which she
had longed TO be free.
My children are my own" said Mar
tin, Ito do as | will with
They are not all your own" rejoined
Gen. Hatton. "A dead hand is stretched
ont from their mothers grave TO save
them. They belong TO her. dead though
she may be. rs much as they belong to
you. They have no business with you
you are no fitting guardian for them
Those two girls have good blood in their
veins. Their ancestors were loyal; they
gave their lives for the safety and we'll
being of the throne that you are trying
10 overthrow; they lived and died in the
service Of the royal race that you would
destroy"
There is one thing you must allow me
To say; you have not been In any great
| hurry to fulfill your sisters wishes. She
had been dead some years; it must, there
fore, be rather late TO save my children,
as you choose TO express it."
4 deep flush covered the soldiers face
1t is true" he said, that | have been
neglectful in this matter; reproach my
self bitterly for it. When that letter
came. | ought 10 have started for Eng
! land at once; but / did not. and other in
terests drove the subject from my mind
| will make all the amends can. Armed
with my sisters authority. am here by
her wish 10 save her children from the
fate that, living with you. an agita tor