Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-29


this vital matter.
do you know Mr.. Holbin in Rich
mond," he asked of the negro, "Mr.
Raymond Holbn?"
Eyes, 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 a few moments.
"My boy" he said, you saw the
woman who was shot?"
Yes, sab"
"She is dying; that il her child and
she does not know it. Here is all the
money / have with me; it is yours il
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
ter?"
That doesn't gol Here
is your money-be quick now!"
Bring it 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 Ire 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
10 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 Al least
lie argued so. How little he knew the
depths of villainy he was about to
probe!
A polioehnan directed him to the ad-
dress secured, and he found himself
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 a servant, the risk would
be less. There seemed to be a garde
and wing. and upon side street be
found an entrance through an iron
gate. which stood ajar. Entering and
passing a 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 az
a fountain smote his ear, and the expo
rience of memorable night rose &c
mind. The iron gate. the gravel walk
!, the shrubbery and the wing-room, Al
. were there; and above all the low mu.
|, sic Of the fountain. Then, swift as q
flash OF lightning, rose his promise. He
was pledged not to en ter. But as he
stood, his mind confused and without
power to measure the significance OF
the new facts, the door opened and e
young woman stepped out The hight
, from the iron lamp swinging overhead
fell full upon her. He saw that heI
face was womanly, sad, and beautiful
, face hallowed by the sufferings o.
others like unto those he had seen SC
often in the convent and hospital. a
vague half memory of it arose in hi
mind. He lifted his hat instin ctively
, she paused in surprise.
~ fear you have made mistake,
she said, gently. Whom do you seek?'
At the sound of her voice he uttered
a low cry; and then
"Frances!"
At the same instant she recognized
him and started forward; but, check
y | ing the impulse, she dreW Dack
stunned and distressed.
God has arranged it for u.s." he said
a glad note in his voice. 81 have founC
you without seeking; | have looked
= into your face without knowing-wh,
: what is it?" The girl had drawn be
i yond the reach OF the arms stretched
u out towards her and was sadly shak
ing her head.
What does IL mean?" she said, il
: fear, her voice trembling. why ar,
you here in that uniform"
J. Upon mission requiring the nj
e most secrecy, Frances; discover,
would cost me my life! 1 shall ex
s plain
"A spy! You spy! All, can believ
e all the other things now--they told IN
o only the TRUTH" She began to wrini
e her hands; but, suddenly drawing VI
her slender figure, she said:
d Capt. Somers, leave these premise
Il at once-and Richmond, or yes, evel
= Twill give you up to the law" II
saw her mistake, but he was as proud
you condemn me without hear
d ing"
it Your uniform, your presence in thi
- city condemn you!"
5 NO Somers was ever spy. I hav
h risked my life to help a diving woman