Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-21
was a card bearing the name "Lou-
Use"
CHAPTER XII.

RAYMOND Holbin. This was in the
DAYS when most people believed that
the military feature of secession
would prove little more than a grand
spectacular demonstration. Gradu-
ates of West Point were at once in
great demand, and backed by the
Brookin influence Holbn was ap-
pointed captain of infantry among
the state troops, no search OF his rec
ord being at the time possible: but
when the state transferred her troops
to the confederate government, and
Holbn sought colonelcy. advancing
in support of his application the fact
that he had been an officer in the reg
ular army, the matchless memory OF |
the southern president recalled his |
history. jefferson Davis had been sec
rotary of war at the time the Holbin
court-martial was held, and the rec
ord coming before him for review. he
had promptly approved the sentence
of the court. A long struggle to Sc
cure a modification of the sentence
had followedAand in this struggle
many politicians had been arrayed by
| Holbin's mother, but in vain. The
sentence stood; and these people new
er forgot the issues involved; the
Holbins hated jefferson Davis. The
name .Holbin" had chung to the mem
ory of the hero of Buena Vista; he
declined to appoint Raymond Holbin
or to commission him in any way to
command honorable men, The deci-
sion was in harmony with his devo-
ton to his principles, devotion that
was destined to make him in the end
the most unfortunate of American
statesmen.
This new public reflection upon Hol-
bin filled him with an ungovernable
rage. Had safe opportunity offered,
he would not have hesitated to send
bullet through the heart of the man
who was responsible for it. Indeed,
he armed himself. and for many
months was convinced that he might
at any moment be dedicated to the
discharge of a patriotic duty. The
president of the confederacy walked
daily in the presence of death, for
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
e to barter his away; he bided his time
e A far more dangerous enemy was hi!
d mother, who numbered official &C
$ quaintances in Washington by the
|, scores. and who knew when ant
: where to plant the deadliest blow
S This woman. secure in her social posi-
Y ton. displaying by her own efforts
e and the efforts of her stepdaughte'
= in hospital work devotion to thu
o southern cause, was in secret fast bal
ancing accounts with Jefferson Davis
e Friends of Raymond Holbin, for h.
It still had few, with the aid of hi
mother, secured him bomb-proof pc
)" sition with rank of captain; an
h there he stuck, with all the time TO
e. plotting that might be demanded.
II What seemed to Holbin an oppor
n tunity for sweeping revenge cam
very unexpectedly. Up to then he ha
been but an instrument in the hand
of his mother and that large circl
ry of invisibles known to him VIII
ne Slapped the strength of the confedel
ce acy. Their many interests precede
ps his. The opportunity came threug
er Louise. He did not dare to disregar
of her card and responded instantly
TT her implied command. armed wit
his old secret and a virtuous indi!
Id nation. He had almost forgotten he
he A year before. when she had snf
80 GENTLY recovered from her illness
permit it, he had sent her north, d
- ceiyed by sacred" pledges, to ne
=, hiding-place. The in,Snediate openir
~ of hostilities had seemed to fix ii
= separation 1t had never occurred
him that she would make an effo,
:, to cross the lines.
he The new meeting between Louise al
M Holbin was marked by great displ'
I'm of passion on his part; she was cal
ale and collected, a suggestion of rockies
ness, however, in her eyes and eve
on movement; her face relentless al
err life. For the first time Holhin fail
en- to move her to anger or to tears.
MT. 81 came said she, when his rage h
net spent itself and in answer to his {
err spairing offer of money if she won
nut, depart, mot because l need your ;
sistance-that is, your money, for
not; l am now well supplied S
a could not have touched him in INC
out delicate spot. A swift jealousy, Gu
Gus Indignation, filled him.
you Whose money!" he asked, brea'
lessly.
uld He is very rich, and gives with |
An eral hand when the woman is sma
he is able, is fearless, and willing to r
her life at his bidding 1t was not
id; speech, but the cautious glance VIII
but involuntarily she gave to her surroul
as ings that awoke a suspicion in
om- breast.
Louise, you are a."
her Hush! i am mother robbed
sed her child; that is explanation enoui
fol- for such woman is capable of a
1. thing, even murder, as you know. r
nan mond. where is my daughter?"