Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-06-27


set; land will not be worth much in
this state" Louise came close t) him
and laid her hand upon his shoulder.
IF l could only trust you,' she
said, sadly, "all might yet be well, for
/ have a way"
"What do you mean?" She hest
tated and, leaning over, whispered a
sentence in his ear. He lifted his face
quickly.
"How much?"
"Our own price"
"Our own price"
"And revenge, Raymond, revenge for
you"
Revenge ?-yes-wel said. No price
could be complete without that. And
what a revenge! The assassin stabs
his foe and is infamous; the man Who
slays his country's foe is a hero.
Louise. you have made me happy, and
you little know how chance has ia
vored you. l am connected with the
war department - have friends
around me; and, better, l have my
facts in hand"
"You were planning then, 100"
81 did not know what IN ght arise,
and l was determined to be ready; |
was tired of doing the work while eth
ers reaped the benefit. But now comes
the greatest ditliculty-and that re-
minds me. How did you get here
through the lines?"
"You remember the little farm in
which l had only life interest, the
only thing we could not sell? | was
warned that it would soon be within
the southern lines and was sent there
to wait. Jackson's army passed ever
it, and | came on to Richmond and de-
livered my messages" Holbin was as
founded.
"Who do you know here?"
She shook her head. Not human
being beside yourself. 1 placed my
papers in a certain receptacle to which
| had been directed. If there is an an
swer | shall find it in the same place
at an appointed time" Holbin walked
the floor in great excitement.
"Iknow both the place and the time"
he said; Il took your messages; but
there never would have been any an
SNCI CNNGpO LUZ lilS llCCblHS. dlOut
can supply the information which is
desired. and 1 shall not let it go
through the usual channel. 1t is the
chance of my life. l have facts that no
other human being could have accumu-
lated, facts of vital Importance. My
God, Louise! A million dollars is a
small price"
Give them to me-" she said; 81 will
deliver them upon one condition"
"One condition? Name it,"
''The price shall be paid to me-" Hol-
bin stood in deep thought.
NO" he said, as if dismissing some
mental argument, "it is too dangerous
a mission for any woman. Capture
would mean for you certain death"
"My child" she said, simply; and
then: 81 shall find a way to get
through"
Then make the trip safely, and 1
swear to you l will surrender the child
and come to you, too"
"Oh, Raymond, promises, promises!
1t would be inhuman to deceive me
now"
You will control the future if you
deliver my information and collect the
price" She knew him well enough to
understand that this logic with him
was conclusive.
"Then l CO." she said, but how?"
81 shall prepare a way" said Holbin.
But when he was gone Louise, free
from the influence of his personality,
began to feel all her suspicion and dis
trust returning. She reviewed calmly
but bitterly his life with her; it had
been succession of deceptions and ut
terly selfish. She asked herself over
and over what recourse would she
have if he should slip away and leave
her in Richmond, and gradually, as she
considered his manner, she became
convinced that he intended nothing
more or less so far as she was con-
cerned. The spirit which had sustained
her during the past year returned, ,
and she felt herself full of fight Ex-
perience had given her better control
of her nerves; her life, when away
from Holbin, carried more masculine
note; most women who go to school in
Washington acquire it. She had come
to Richmond with the full intention of
seeing Mrs. Brookin, forcing a settle
ment of her claims upon Raymond, and
securing her child. OF success as to
the latter she felt assured; the other
was doubtful. In the hour after her
last interview with Raymond it came
to her as an inspiration that she now
had weapon in her hand that would
beat down any guard, pierce any ar
NOR; for he had admitted his connec-
tion with the enemy and had gigantic
enterprise afoot. She had but TO insist
upon a settlement in advance and to
threaten; but the pressure upon Ray
mond should come from his mother
She therefore determined to carry out
her original intention, call on that
lady and have plain talk. Her sur.
prise was complete when at the mo-
ment that decision was reached the
card of Mrs. Broolzin was brought to
her room-complete. because not only
was the visit of this lady most as
touishing thing, but upon that card