The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-06-22


an army" she said; II have seen it
stated that many officers killed in
battle are shot from behind"
THAT Is one" he replied, "and men
who serve thelr country in time of
war are forgiven many things. | am
In possession ~ that which will Sc
cure for me review Of my case and
restore TO me my commission. / have
offered my sword to the confederacy
once; the next time 1 viii offer IL
point firsti"
"You have valuable information for
sale. Is that what you mean? &c
slow upon that line; IL you draw your
sword against Virginia openly you
sacrifice all interests here. Better be
friend TO both sides. and when yua
come back with proofs that Richard
Somers is really dead all may yet
be well. If she is free at 21 the Will
Is binding, even II it were held that
she has not already sacrificed her in
terest."
"Come what may" he said, pae-
sionately, while | live Brodnar shall
never see Frances Brookin the wife
In truth of Richard Somers."
"Nor while / live" said his mother;
''there Is my hand upon it,"
Keep out of il, mother, keep out,
or you will regret I'll" said the
wretched man.
"Ungrateful boyl Where is your
promise? DO you repudiate thatP
Have you forgotten your danger?"
mo, but she shall not suffer at
your hands. Leave her. 10 me. And.
mother, II you ever find us dead to-
gether in that room downstairs, have
no thought OF me. The man who has
neither love nor revenge has moth
ing to live for" He seized his hat and
rushed from her presence.
CHAPTER XIV.
Col. Richard Somers dismounted and
took refuge upon the veranda OF n
! little cottage that fronted q Cross
road near Mechanicsville while his ar
tillery Numbered by and numbered
In position 10 face the enemy. Men,
horses and officers were worn out with
fatigue and hard fighting and eager
for an opportunity 10 snatch few
| hours of rest. The two great armies
had entered upon the memorable
seven days fight which was 20 swing
around Richmond and leave a bloody
path 10 Malvern hill. The cottage
seemed deserted, but presently an
aged negress made her appearance
from somewhere and patheticaliy at
/ % &c nj 20
the officers who began TO swarm into
the yard. Clinging 10 her skirts WAS
a little girl of six or seven years,
whose fair complexion, blue eyes and
silken curls bespoke a patrician par
entage, but whose frail figure and in
cessant cough gave evidence II a
fatal weakness.
"Her ma is done dead, sah.- said the
old woman. respectfully, when Col
Somers hurriedly questioned her con
corning the family, IAN her pa left
TO you-all come; done come yistiddy
an go right back 10 town. He done
stay hyar anyhow"
"But that child must not remain
here; she is in danger every moment
You must move out!"
whey we goin' move, sab? Don't
know nobody any better off'n we are
roun hyah. Marster tell me 10 stay
right hyah. an ! goin' ter stay hyah
Better tex yo' folks an move on, sab
whey YOU started" Somers had other
things to think about, and turned
away. Very likely the movement next
day would carry them beyond the cot
tage, and the danger was not press
ing at the moment. In the morning
the child might be sent TO the rear
II necessary, and tonight he rather
welcomed the adjuncts of refined life
He had use for the old woman, fol
he was but recently out Of hospita
and somewhat spoiled by nursing. He
made himself and officers comfort
able in the best rooms after the man
ner Of old campaigners and prepared
for the short rest which he so much
needed
Somers had made the necessary dis
positions and, left alone upon the porci
for moment, his thoughts reverted q
the cherished memento in his locket
the worthless message Of love which
had so mysteriously reached him. ]
was just one slender curl-the cur
that had touched his cheek, he was sure
and with it aname. They were enough
no words could have summoned al
more wildly the scenes Of that dark
ened wing-room, nor have told hin
more eloquently that within the ex
cited city there was one heart which
held no hatred for him. II was no hou
for dreaming. and he reused himsel
10 the present. Around him were con
tending hosts Of doomed men, the spir
il OF war lowered over the rude camps
and death lurked in the shadows cage
Tor his harvest From the distance. tn
echoes Of dropping shots came faint.
10 he ear, and presently what seeme'
TO be a small volley. This wolfe.
clRimed his attention and that of tn
junior officers, and he had ordered
sergeant up TO inquire as 10 the cause
when the sound of rapid hoof-beats ap
preached upon the road, and in the din
Huht as he waited a frightened horse