The Lamar register., 1900-02-07

coInIortaoie pause, ne turueu " lhc
officer.
81 am in your power. Dispose of
me-"
II will send news of your arrest to
the city. Meanwhile, remain here;
and, II you give me your word of
honor to make no attempt to fly"
mol I yield to force. but to that
alone"
Then cannot leave you in Miss
Harrison's society, but must provide
a more secure prison
Which you will doubtless find in
Springfield" said William, with an
outburst of resentment 81 was pre-
pared for everything when 1 risked
the ride here, except treachery in
the house in which l was called son."
You are right, Mr.. Roland" The
captain raised his voice so loud that
a person on the other side of the clos
ed door could not fail to hear it. But
do not address your reproaches to me.
l did what l was forced to do. I do
not believe in treachery, and l regret
that you have fallen victim to it."
MY words do not apply to you. l
know the traitor-and now l will ask
only moment longer"
He went to his fiance and bent over
her. but just at that moment side
door was hastily flung open and
Ralph rushed in.
Miss Florence. master is asking for
you. He has suddenly grown worse.
We are afraid the end is near"
Florence had hitherto found 1t Diff
frnIt n cfufn harcaIs This or
blow threatened to crush her. She
tottered and would have fallen had
not William clasped her in his arms.
Il cannot go!" she murmured, des-
pairingly. Not at this moment! Will
liam! What will become of your"
Lieutenant Roland is my prisoner
and under my protection said Will
son, with marked emphasis. Have no
anxiety for him. will answer for
his safety so long as he remains In
Springfield
go to your father" said William.
pushing the trembling girl with gen.
tie violence toward the door. You
hear7 No harm will befall me, and
your place is there. Courage, my poor
Florence! cannot be with you in
| 1hAo sAab houis cutr ~ ACooes ySh
know that l am near. So be reeo-
| lutte"
He gave her to Ralph, who drew
the half-senseless girl away with him,
and then went back to the captain.
IF you wish to go to the sick
room" said the latter, in low tone.
Il will not prevent you"
William made gesture of refusal.
"No. After what has passed be-
tween me and the sick man. my pres
ence could not help exerting a bad in
| fuence upon him. He has no suspic-
| ion that l am here; let him remain
| ignorant of it. / thank you for your
| consideration, sir. Let us go!"
| The servants, at the captains or
der. had left their posts at the doors.
but stood whispering together with
troubled faces. Ralph had betrayed
that the officer under arrest was Miss
Florence's lover. And it had happen
ed in her own house! True, the mas
| ter of the house had had no share in
| it; they all knew now that he was
dying.
Edward Harrison. pacing up and
| down the drawing alone. with a
| cloud upon his brow, knew it also.
| The end so long expected was coming
more quickly than had been supposed
| The physician had given the sick man
4 days, and now, at the utmost, there
/ were only hours. Yet Edward had
! not courage TO enter the apartment
| where Florence was, and had Ralph
bring him reports. which constantly
| c-pUF mora ais
| Then Captain Wilson entered, but
the cordiality with which he usually
| treated young Harrison had given
place to cold formality; he bowed as
If he were saluting a stranger.
81 wished to inform you that l am
going to the city to report the cap
ture." he said, distantly. IAN escort
will be sent for the prisoner: until
then he must remain at Springfield
Edward did not appear to notice the
| Icy coldness in the tone and manner
! of his former friend, and answered
quietly. as if the point in question
were a matter of the utmost indiffer-
ence:
Have no anxiety. I'll see that the
spy doesn't escape u.s.
Il am positive that Lieutenant Ro-