The Iola register., 1901-06-21
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How did you pass through the
lines?" he asked abruptly. The ne
gro grinned and was silent. "Can you
guide me through-quick, man,
speak" The negro looked at the
uniform.
eyes, sab. But it's er long ways
now-an' through the swamp, too"
Louise, for your sake and the
child's l shall try. If I return no
more-it will be because I--have
failedl"
"Come-to me, Richard-kneel. And
now. God-bless you. 'Tis sinful
woman's prayer-but He will hear
even me, murderessl"
"Murderess! Louse!"
81 tried to kill him-tried to end
It! | fired to kill in my despair-it
was the wrong man. 1 saw dimly-
through the blinds-another woman's
room-under the light Of match
only-and l killed him-an innocent
mani"
'Louise-in Richmond--through the
blinds-a year ago?"
"Ah, you heard of it?"
81 was the man."
at cannot bel"
at was wing-room. She was
kneeling before me, and the bullet
struck here!' He drew aside his hair
and rested his finger upon a white
spot. "Brodnar-"
God is comforting me-" she whis-
pered. THE rest will come" Tears
streamed down her cheeks from her
closed lids. Somers chose the mo-
ment to leave her.
Keep her alive until morning." he
said, to the surgeon. 81 will come
then-or not at all" And then to
the negro: NOW, my boy, 500 in
gold il you guide me safely into
Richmond and back. viii yon need a
horseP" The negro shook his head.
mo horse can cross whar 1 gointer
60" He led away briskly into the
Chickahominy swamp, and when
Richard Somers found the stars again
he was within the lines of his enc
my with the Riohmend lights in
sight. Not until thon did ho rsmem-
Der that he had no knowledge Of Ray
mond Holbin's whereabouts. He
stopped, amazed that he had failed in
this vital matter.
"Do you know Mr.. Holbin In Rich
mond," he asked OF the negro, "Mr.
Raymond Holbin?"
"Yes, sab, course I know him. We
all b'longs to es ma"
what! Then that house back yon-
der! Whose is that?"
Oats his house, sab, reck'n. Don't
nobody come out but him, to see es lit
tie gal"
"His grill Her name-what is her
name?"
Calls 'er Chicky most generally.
Sometimes he called 'er Nanon." Som
ers stopped then and stood with his
face toward the stars in breathless
reverie few moments.
my boy" he said, "you saw the
woman who was shot?"
"Yes, sah."
"She is dying; that is her child and
she does not know it. Here is all the
money have with me; it is yours If
you will go back with all your might
and tell her about the child. Do this,
my boy, and God will bless you"
How you gointer get back, mars
terP"
That doesn't matterl-go! gol Here
is your money-be quick now!"
Bring 1t along wild you, marster."
The negro vanished as a shadow with
in a shadow.
"And now, Louise" said the soldier,
as he plunged on into the city, GOD is
comforting you'll"
So far as the chance of detection
was concerned, Richard Somers was as
safe on the streets of Richmond that
night as in his own camp; but he re-
allied that perhaps he had a difficult
task before him to find Raymond Hol-
bin. And if he found him, what then
The city was in a turmoil. Excited
men and women crowded the streets
and wounded soldiers were on every
side. There was to be little sleep that
night in Richmond or in the next five
to come, for the fate of the city hung
in the balance during the seven days
battle. Somers carried off his novel
experience boldly, and, passing into
the Spotswood hotel, he sought "a direc-
tory. His search for Holbin's name
was at once successful, and, taking a
note OF the address, he went forth and
prepared himself for the final trial.
His safety lay in the character of the
service he was rendering to the woman
to whom Holbin owed much. At least
he argued so. How little he knew the
depths Of villainy he was about to
probei
CONTINUED