The Iola register., 1901-06-28

y
had been shot from behind with
pistol held so close TO his coat that
it was burned by the powder. The
affair afforded but few minutes
discussion. for the explosion of fire.
arms was almost incessant at times,
and dead men in June. 1862. were
plentiful around Richmond. The only
part of the mystery worth consider
ing from the military standpoint was
how the man got through the lines at
that particular place. A watch taken
from his body contained the names of
Capt Richard Somers and the regi-
ment to which he was attached, and
also the likeness of an elderly wom-
an. 1t was surmised that the victim
of the pistol shot was a deserter and
robber: that he had been captured
and killed while attempting violence
OF an escape. The officer into whose
possession the watch drifted was in
charge of a burial party next day un-
der flag of truce, and, learning that
Capt. Somers was among the troops
opposite, sent the watch to him with
a courteous explanation. The graft
fication of Capt. Somers was only
equaled by his bewilderment, Many
weeks before he had intrusted the
jewel to his faithful artilleryman, and
this soldier. he had been assured. was
left dead upon the bloody battlefield.
His conclusion was that some one had
robbed the body at that time and
had been overtallen by fate while en-
gagged in some other nefarious enter
prise. But when Capt. Somers cas-
ually opened the locket and found
therein a long, slender curl of red
dish-golden hair and on the narrow
ribbon with which it was tied the
name "Frances,' he was involved in
a hopeless mystery. He was within
sound of the Richmond church bells
that morning, and between the inter-
walls of fighting and moving to new
positions he had already in imagina-
tion entered that city. The name
thus sent was the only tidings OF
Frances he had ever received, and IL
made him a sadly happy man.
"A policeman directed him to the ad-
before a spacious and pretentious man
sion of the older style. There were
lights in front and he hesitated,
prompted by some intuition. If he
could get to the rear, he imagined.
and question servant, the risk would
be less. There seemed to be a garden
and a wing, and upon side street he
found
gate, which stood ajar. Entering and
passing horse tied in the shrubbery
he approached the wing-room without
connecting the place with any impress
sion of memory; but suddenly, as he
neared the closed door, the FLASHING OF
fountain smote his ear, and the eXpe-
rience of a memorable night rose to
mind. The iron gate, the gravel walk,
the shrubbery and the wing-room! All
were there; and above all the low mu-
sic of the fountain. Then, swift as a
fash of lightning rose his promise. He
was pledged not to enter. But as lie
stood, his mind confused and without
power to measure the significance OF
the new facts, the door opened and .
young woman stepped out. The light
from the iron lamp swinging overhead
fell full upon her. He saw that her
face was womanly, sad, and beautiful
a face hallowed by the sufierings OF
others like unto those he had seen SO
often in the convent and hospital. A
vague half memory of it arose in his
mind. He lifted his hat instinctively as
she paused in surprise.
81 fear you have made a mistake,
she said, gently. "Whom do you seek p
At the sound of her voice he uttered
low cry; and then
"Frauces!"
At the same instant she recognized
him and started forward; but, check
ing the impulse, she drew back
stunned and distressed.
God has arranged it for us" he said
a glad note in his voice. 81 have found
you without seeking; | have looked
into your face without knowing-whJ
what is it?" The girl had drawn be
yond the reach of the arms stretched
out towards her and was sadly shak
ing her head.
"What does it mean?" she said, il
fear, her voice trembling. "Why are
you here in that uniform?"
upon a mission requiring the ut
most secrecy, Frances; discover,
would cost me my life l shall ex
plain"
"a spy! You a spy! All, can believ,
all the other things now-they told m,
only the truth" She began to wrinl
her hands; but, suddenly drawing VI
her slender figure, she said:
capt. Somers, leave these premise
at once-and Richmond, or yes, ever
Twill give you up to the law" H.
saw her mistake, but he was as proud
you condemn me without a hear
ing."
''Your uniform, your presence in thi
city condemn you'll"
"No Somers was ever a spy. I haV
risked my life to help dying woman,
ne said, quietly. 81 came here to see
man named Raymond Holbin."
"Raymond! What of him?"
"You know him, thenP
l.. L.