Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-06-19
"I cannot-I would If

hdnos tore reeDly at slender chain
that had slipped down into her bos-
ON, and drew little locket into view.
He recognized it.
II believe you," he said, gently. at
length. And he did: he had never
doubted it in his heart.
1T is the last prayer of the wom-
an-who in all these years-of suf-
fering-shame-has loved you! Go
to him! He will come-my child's
life-save the child for-her mothers
sake! Let me see her!"
The soldier had faced every danger
OF the battlefield without tremor.
In the presence of this woman's awful
agony his heart failed him "The lost
uplicates-duplicate Rich
mond is yours-Lee's army-de-
stroyed!" He stood up then, and was
cool. his eyes reading her pale face
as an open book. He turned to the
door.
Surgeon" he said, "come TO this
poor girl. Louise, 1 will return" He
rode TO headquarters and laid before
his chief all the facts. A long dis
cussion followed
at is desperate venture. general.
Z.
But il / succeed. il NAV mean life
for many man in this army. Still.
let me be frank; 1 shall go not for
that alone"
"The decision is with you. colonel.
| My advice Is against your plan. And
yet-if. that information opened the
road to Richmond-it would mean
Gen. Somers."
IL have your permission?" There
was no answer. II shall start in 30
minutes, then" said Somers. The
general gave his hand in silence and
turned away.
avoid capture" he said, sadly.
Day by day familiar faces were pass
ing from him.
81 shall not be captured. II IL
comes, it will be a soldiers death"
was the reply. He reentcred the pres
ence OF Louise clad in the uniform of
confederate captain. The old ne
gress was with her, and, hat in hand.
a young man, her son, was delivering
message TO her. Somers caught
enough of the words to gather that
| he came from Richmond.
How did you pass through the
lines?' he asked, abruptly. The ne
gro grinncd and was silent Can YOU
guide me through-quick. man.
speak" The negro looked at the
uniform.
"Yes, sab. But it's err 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 have
failed!"
"Come-to me, Richard-kneel. And
now, God-bless you. 'Tis IA sinful
woman's prayer-but He will hear
even me, a murderess!"
"Murderess! LOUISE
81 tried to kill him-tried to end
it! l fired to kill in my despair-it
was the wrong man. l saw dimly-
! through the blinds-another woman's
room-under the light OF match
only-and l killed him-an innocent
mani"
"Louise-in through the
! blinds-a year ago."
"Ah, you heard of it?"
II was tire man.
at cannot be-"
at was n wing-room She was
kneeling before me, and the bullet
struck here!' He drew aside his hair
and rested his finger upon white
spot. 'Brodnar-"
God is comforting me-" she whis-
percd. The rest will come" Tears
streamed down her cheeks from her
| closed lids. SomerS chose the mo-
mcnt 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 if you guide me safely into
Richmond and back. viii yon need a
| horSe?' The negro shook his head.
NO horse can cross whar | gointcr
GO" He led away briskly into the
Chckahominy swamp. and when
Richard SOmers found the stars again
he was within the lines of his enc
my with the Richmond lights in
sight Not until then did he remem-
Der that he had no knowledge of Ray
mond Holbin's whereab bouts. 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 / know him. We
all b'longs TO es ma"
What! Then that house back yon-
deri Whose is that?"
Oats his house. sab, reck'n. Don't
nobody come out but him, to see es lit
tie gal"
His girl! Her name-what is her
name?"
Calls 'er Chicky most generally.
Sometimes nc called 'er Nanon." som
ers stopped then and stood with his
face toward the stars in breathIess
rcverie a few moments.
my boy" he said. you saw the
woman who was shot?"
Yes. sab"
"She is dying; that il her child and