Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-06-22


her that it was still possible for
man like the captain TO win her moth
er's love. Why. even the idea wa alb
surd- Did she really care for Capt.
Newcombe? Surely his interest, at
When he hears that she is not bound
II she whom be loves?
Great excitement seemed to prevail
In the village next morning. at every
other door groups OF people were
standing. the men angrily gesticulat-
ing. the women crying. In front Of
the cottage were two or three VII
layers talking to Irish" as he was
Familiarity known in camp.
AYis." he was saying. thin sphal-
poems up there" jerking his thumb to-
ward the barracks. were too busy
enjoyin' ay thimsives TO be bothered
wild the thrubIes av a handful av poor
divils. But yell niver be afther ca tch-
ing Capt Newcombe n-nappin.. and
ez soon ez he heard the fuss offered
himself and his men to GO and help
thin"
"Yis,' we whit. but how many hev
come back agin2 The dirty sphaf-
poems made ragged edge of our COM
pany-the finest yell See anywheres
and the captain himself has been
killed entoirly. All! twas sorry day
that brought Paddy Malone TO this
God-forsaken counthry!"
The two women within. so dear to
each other, and yet each seeming to
stand In the others happiness,
strained their ears to listen. Almost
unconscious Of the others presence,
they both ran out at the mans words
and stood there with drawn faces,
deathHke In their awful pallor. while
he repeated the news that made desc
late many happy fireside and yelled
with tears the light IN loving ey es.
The widows 1.-THE form swayed and
trembled, and she would have fallen
had not Zoritsa suddenly seemed to
realize that her mother was there.
With quick catching OF the breath
and dry, choking sob In her throat,
she reached out her arm and caught
her.
+, Each read with anguish the truth in
the others eyes. and in each heart
was a momentary struggle for the
victory. The painful quietness of de-
spair seemed to envelop the young
girl, and, with eyes heavy with un-
shed tears. she half-blindly led her
mother into the house.
This, then, was why Zoritsa had
claimed her freedom. Oh. why had
she not told Zoritsa before that the
captain had already confessed his love
70 10 irh
they were to have told her of their
happiness. To-day be is dead-deadi
Unable to control herself. she broke
into passionate weeping.
Dearest" the girl said. drawing
the golden head to her breast. did
you. then, love him so much?''
"IoveF him? Better than iffeg' 81
There may be-there must be some
dreadful mistake" She did not know
her mother had seen the love light
in her eyes and had rightly interpre-.
ted it. Though there was not a culver
of an eyelid, her heart was breaking.
Already her light had gone out. Her
world was world of darkness.
Night came on. One by one the
stars appeared. solemn hush lay
over all. Even the camp seemed de-
serted, and naught save the occasion
al screech of whip-poor-will broke
the dread silence.
Yearning for the sympa thetic still
ness Of the night and the companion
ship Of the broad. calm sky. dotted
with it's myriads Of stars, Zor1tsa
drew her shawl about her, and with
q heavy heart went out into the dark
ness.
What was that? Sounds of rejoic-
ing? How they grated upon her nowi
But what were they saying? Hush!
Captain alive prisoner = es-
capped"
Could it be true? Her heart gave
a great leap. Yes! there was a loud
"Hurrah!" It was trueI He was not
killed after all, then, and perhaps not
even wounded! Ah--but she was not
to think of herself. Yet why should
she give up the hope hidden in her
heart so long and make the little
mother unhappy? With. moan more
heartrending than sobs she threw
herself upon the ground.
God! God! Thou who didst teach
US to Lowell Why. oh. why didst thou
give me this chaiice. only to withdraw!
it-as 1 stopped to drink?"
In an agony of soul she wrestled
with her own, desires-her own love
and it seemed to her very ife-and
conquered.
Quiet. resigned and calm, she found
her way home, softly Unmatched the
door, and went In
The bright moonlight streamed in q
silver bar through the long. low win
dow, and there In its brightness. with
appraised face. almost TRANSPORTED