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

fanaticism and desperate men sur
rounded him. His safety lay in the
fact that he walked in the sunlight,
where the results of an attack prom
ised never less than life for life. And
Raymond Holbin was not the man
to barter his away; he bided his time.
A far more dangerous enemy was his
mother, who numbered official ac-
quaintances in Washington by the
scores, and who knew when and
where to plant the deadliest blow.
This woman, secure in her social posi-
tion, displaying by her own efforts
and the efforts of her stepdaughter
in hospital work devotion to the
southern cause, was in secret fast bal
ancing accounts with Jefferson Davis.
Friends of Raymond Holbin, for he
still had a few, with the aid of his
mother, secured him a bomb-proof po-
sition with a rank of captain; and
there he stuck, with AL the time for
plotting that might be demanded.
What seemed to Holbin an oppor-
tunity for sweeping revenge came
very unexpectedly. Up to thea he had
DtcH DuJ an llISlI ullleuJ III INC IdHuS
of his mother and that large circle
of invisibles known to him who
sapped the strength of the confeder-
acy. Their many interests preceded
his. The opportunity came through
Louise. He did not dare to disregard
her card and responded instantly to
her implied command, armed with
hie old anI ri in n in-
nation. He had almost forgotten her.
A year before, when she had suffi-
GENTLY recovered from her illness to
permit it, he had sent her north, de-
ceived by sacred" pledges, to a new
hiding-place. The immediate opening
of hostilities had seemed to fix the
separation. 1t had never occurred to
him that she would make an effort
to cross the lines.
The new meeting between Louise and
Holbin was marked by great display
of passion on his part; she was calm
and collected, a suggestion of reckless
ness, however, in her eyes and every
movement; her face relentless and
white with despair of an abandoned
life. For the first time Holbin failed
to move her to anger or to tears.
Il came" said she, when his rage had
spent itself and in answer to his de-
spairing offer of money if she would
depart, mot because l need your as
sistance-that is, your money. for | do
not; l am now well supplied" She
could not have touched him in a more
delicate spot. a swift jealousy, a Curl
GUS indignation, filled him.
Whose money!" he asked, breath
lessly.
HE is very rich, and gives with lib
eral hand when the woman is smart.
is able, is fearless, and willing to risk
her life at his bidding" 1t was not the
speech, but the cautious glance which
involuntarily she gave to her surround
ings that awoke a suspicion in his
breast.
Louise, you are "a"
Hush! | am a mother robbed of
her child; that is explanation enough;
for such a woman is capable of any
thing, even murder, as you know. Ray
mond, where is my daughter?" He
looked at her uneasily. and the white
feather appeared in spite of his efforts
to conceal it.
she is well, and well cared for"
u asked you where, and you have not
answered mel"
There is much to be agreed upon be-
tween us before L tell you that" he
said, after a pause, during which he
narrowly watched her. He took a
seat close beside her and continued
in his old confidential, half-appealing
way: Louise, I am ruined, dis
graced man, and ripe for anything
that will take me out of this city"
lie paused, but she did not answer or
seem to hear him, and he added:
My downfall began when l was un-
true to myself-to you. l have never
had a moments good luck since;
everything has gone wrong with me-"
Still she did not answer him, but her
bosom heayed once OR twice, and a
strange look came into the white face
she turned towards him. 81 have now
no chance on earth except a chance
to play for even and quit the country.
Louise, if | succeed will you go back
with me into the old sweet life? l
Will be true to you; | will right all
of your wrongs-andsT will be ia
ther indeed to your child. Let us go,
Louise, out of this wild, heartless
country back across the ocean to the
little English home, back to our flow
ers, back to the old life" He took
her hand, and this time she did not
withdraw it.
MY child" she said, almost in
audibly, her face lowered and her
bosom rising and falling rapidly.
THAT will be all right-all right.
| swear to you she is well and has
not forgotten you. She never fails
to ask for you, and at night to say
her little prayer" A cry burst from
the wretched woman.
my baby! My baby!" She sank
her face in her hands, then sprang
to her feet. You deceived me-" she
said, frantically, beginning to walk
the floor, Il cannot-I cannot believe
you"