Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-05-31

The revolver he had raised fell
from Henry's trembling fingers as
simultaneously the cry of recognition
broke from the two men facing each
other: Brother" and Henry more
overcome than ever before, looked
again upon the living features of the
brother Lester whom they had all
, mourned as dead.
With an effort, Henry regained
enough self-control to demand Of his
brother: Where have you been all
this time? For what do you wear
such colors? How long have you
been in this neighborhood?"
''Oh, brother, be merciful," cried
Lester. Il will explain, then you shall
judge me. 1t is true l have taken
arms against the north, but that is
not beyond the pardon of a brothers
heart"
Il listen," answered Henry, coldly,
speak quickly ard truthfully."
With great effort Lester began.
You heard, Of course, of my being
wounded, and hearing nothing more,
probably considered me dead. To be
brief [ was very severely wounded
and was nursCd back to life, strength
and health by a southern girl in
years, but woman in heart. She
watched over me for months, at
tended, nay anticipated my every
need and wish. OF course, I loved
her and she in turn loved me. | con-
fessed my love to her, sue confided
her heart to me. Her version of her
peoples wrongs had a vastly different
sound from the northern stories.
could not resist her arguments-I-I
adopted the southern cause. Her
father, General Manning, who stands
very high in the favor of President
Davis, obtained a lieutenancy for me
IN the southern army. I accepted,
blinded by love for Ethel We were
married that week and ten days later
l took the field with my regiment. Oh,
brother. do not look SO cruel and un-
forgiving-many man has thought
the world we'll lost for love"
Traitor, worse than traitor"
Kissed Henry.
mo, brother, not that l have
never harmed the hair of a northern
head, swear it"
Now, you, in your turn, listen to
me. You have turned traitor to our
cause. You have allowed father and
brothers to mourn you as dead, and
oh, infinitely worse, oh pray heaven
what I fear may not be true. Answer
me: did you four days ago ride with
a few of your men near here?"
Yes answered Lester. with slow
elaboration, that house yonder Is
my wife's home. Longing to see hel,
I took the risk and rode within a few
miles of Sherman's lines We werr
pursued by a small party. l fired =.
warning shot, which scared them of,
and l have been here in safety ever
since then. l am about to return
now"
"Wretched murderer cried Henry,
choking with emotion, that shot
killed our brother George, riding at
my side. We were among your pur-
suers, accursed man.
"Oh, God forbid" cried Lester, fall
ing upon his knees before his brother
Take back those dreadful words,
Henry, brother; forgive, speak to
mel" But Henry, turning from him
coldly, without woro of pardon, left
his brother kneeling where at his &C
cusation, he had thrown himself.
Lester drew himself along the path,
crying, Henry, brother, forgive.
will die to expiate my crimes!" but
receiving no answer, rose in the en-
deavor to follow and force his forgive
ness, but the shock had been too
great. He staggered a few steps for
ward, then with a piercing cry, fell
fainting to the ground.
Did you finish him, sir?" asked
Jennings, as Henry slowly climbed
back into his saddle. yes, he is for
ever dead to those who know him."
was Henry's laconic answer
He must have used his sword,
thought Jennings, as they rode slow
ly back to camp, for 7 didn't hear
shot-poor fellow, he looks as much
like a dead man as the other must
Part ".
On the following evening, two
human ghouls, who preyed alike upon
the north and south, whose trade was
robbing the dead. stole slowly from
body to body on the field where dur
ing the day Sherman had fought an
unusually bloody battle with the op-
posing army.
Gosh! here's rum go, Ned" call
ed out the taller of the two to his
companion, damn me. if l haven't
made good f1nd-tWo gold watches
alike as two peas in a pod. One on
Reb, t'other on Yank, and the
names cut in 'em. too. I'm blow'd Z
it amt queer, not twenty feet apart,
a-fghting against each other" He
held out his precious booty as his
companion approached and turning
the light OF the lantern he carried
full uDOn the choice relics. spelled