Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-02

| down. With incredible qulcknesS he avoided the thrust which was almost l part of the disarming, blow, rushed to 1 the easement window, 1eaped into it, l and burst open the blinds. His hand thrust in his bosom quickly reached 1 backward; pistol flashed. At this in- l stant the sergeant rushed into the l room, saw the blue uniform escaping through the window, and the extended l pistol He leyeled his gun and fired. The man in the window reeled back and ! plunged headlong into the room.
 'It couldn't be helped, captain" said the soldier, lowering his weapon. "Once outside he would have given us a long chase. Did he hit you?" We'll might he ask the question. Capt. Somers was death1y pale as he looked upon the body of his foe.
 .tNo," he said, utterly at a loss to un- derstand the situation. Frances, in the moment of the tragedy, reeled against the wall, sick and faint, but the l instinct of woman whose loved one is in danger instantly rallied her. to her senses. She was the first to realize the full significance of the soldiers action.
 "You have saved our lives" she said, weakly; "any reward you may claim is yours. The man was evidently spy" Her hospital experience and familiar 1 ity with tragedies had served her well. But the strain was fearful, and she COW cred her eyes again.
 Brief as was the respite for Somers, it was sufficient. Passing his arm around her, he urged her out of the room.
 Three minutes = keep everybody out for three minutes, and am safe, ," he whispered. White as a ghost, but brave, she took her stand at the foot of the stair and waited.
 Somers returned and bent above the figure of his enemy, his mind at work. The reference by Louise to the dis patches, the blue uniform, the horse tied in the yard, the hour, and the character of the man aroused multi | tude of suspicious. From the pocket he drew sealed packet and a folded paper, the latter pass through the. lines. There was, no time for an ex- animation of the package; the soldier, l leaning upon his gun, was waiting. Promotion for Somers was in sight; but he had entered the room with an avowal that he could not disregard.
 Sergeant" he said, take this to the war department; it will bring you pro- motion, think. The honor is yours.
 .Bit, captain, it was you who really did the work. Were you after him?"
 .Yes," said Somers, slowly, q was looking for the man and had reason to suppose that he was on these premises. I came in to find him. He evidently en- tered this room in-desperationl Go at once, sergeant, and send an am- bulance. What family lives here?" He asked the question in, support of his l character as stranger.
 "Capt. Holbin's, sirl He is up stairs.''
 Full of the importance of his secret, the soldier hurried away. Somers passed through the hall and out through the other door into the gar den, lifting his hand towards Frances. Steps were approaching the stairway; she passed quickly to the outside and found him waiting.
 They will find him. in the uniform of his country's enemy,Rhe said, '.and the papers from his pockets will prove him a spy. I am unknown. The soldier. will say that a confederate officer pursued the guilty man until he took refuge here, and disappeared.' The girl stood mute and silent before him.
 Farewell, Frances" he said.
 Farewell, sir" He looked at her a moment in doubt, and in silence left her. When he. glanced back over his shoulder he saw her white form still motionless under the tree. A horse near him whiclered inquiringly; he united him and rode out. As he ap- proachedthe gate shriek reached him from the wing-roon, and turning he spurred back again. Frances was re- entering the room.
 "Wait!' he cried in agony-"Waitl" He threw himself from his horse and l was instantly at her side. Frances, l Frances, is it thus we part? Think what it means! Will you not give me l one word ?" She turned slowly and 1 wearily upon the step.
 i There is nothing to say but fare 1 we'll If were mother, and my son 1 came to me as an enemy of Virginia, should say the same to him."
 You do not love me, then" he said, pltleFly, loVe Iorgets. IOfglVeS every thing!" She lifted her face, white with an unspeakable suffering.
 Father in Heaven, Thou knowest my heart! Thou knowest how I have atoned to my own people for him; l how for him have ministered to my enemies-Thou knowest, Thou know est! And now,' she said, sobbingly, "my heart breaks-I am weak! Will you net go? A mother is in this l room with her dead.''
 Tomorrow begins bloody strug- 1 gle; and I would wish to carry with me into eternity, if I perish, one kiss | from the woman I love-my wife! l Will you refuse me that?" She COW cred her face with her hands; then 1 suddenly she threw her arms about | him, her lips to his. He held her 8 ] moment, white and silent. Pushing 1 him from her, she turned to enter.the 1 house, but sank upon her knees, lean l ing her head against the door. Bend 1 ing over, he laid his lips in one long kiss upon her curls, and in silence