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

when say have nothing in my heart
for you but the tenderest sympa thy"
Her eyes chung to his face through
the spasm of pain that twisted her
body and drew the beautiful mouth
into a thin line of scarlet.
How may help you? I would
help you2--Louise, if I might"
Tell me--upSn your souls honor
is--is--it--deathf"
He covered his eyes and stood 81
lent. She waited in agony; he did
not answer her.
"Dea TIL" she said, in horror. Help
mel help me, Richard!" Sobs shook
her. and she stretched out her hand
to him as one who is browning. a
cry burst from the lips of the manly
soldier, a cry no less agonized than
hers.
Louise! Louise!--I would give my
life to help you! Don't speak, don't
look at me that way!"
"You must help me-you mustl
Quick--let me whisper! He will
Come---he won't refuse nowl He was
to come-soon! The marriage
must-must,-b fulfilled Bring him
bring him-to me! Bring my
child"
"Impossibe, Louise" he cried.
"You do not know what you are say
ing He is beyond the enemy's lines!'
"Ah--but--but he is--coming! Wa
Wharf.-The placed the drink
quickly to her lips--"coming, Rich
ard Bring him--I am dying-tel
him---1 am dying-I-Louise-dyinS'
Nanon! Nanon!"
81 am n soldier" he said, "sworn
in my country's defense. My life be-
longs to my country--not to myself.
No one would give me permission to
go on such an errand. And if | were
captured should die as the spy dies!'
"Richard--you and I-are--in Cod
presence"
eyes: in the presence Of God!"
would lie--oh, would lie
now?"
mo"
"Kneel hcre--I shall tell you-now!
] swear r His presence have loved
10 man in life-but you-but you!"
"Hushl" he whispered, chilled and
shocked, seeking to release his hand.
believe, oh, believe mel"
81 cannot"
"Believei"
81 cannot--I would if"
"Believe-believe me--Richard." Her
hands tore feebly at a slender chain
that had slipped down into her bos-
ON, and drew little locket into view.
lie recognized it,
II believe YOU" he said, gently at
length. And he did; he had never
doubted 1t in his heart.
at 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
life-save the child for--her mothers
cake! Let me see her!"
The soldier had faced every danger
of the battlefield without a tremor.
In the presence Of this woman's awful
agony his heart failed him. The lost
papers--duplicates- Rich
mond is yours-Lees army-de-
stroyedl' He stood up then, and was
cool, his eyes reading her pale face
door.
Surgeon" he said, come to this
poor girl. Louise. | will return" He
rode TO headquarters and laid before
his chief all the facts. A long dis
cussion followed.
1T is a desperate venture, general
and if l fail-death! | know that
It,t | fe
? for many man in this army. Still
let me be frank; I shall go not foI
that alone"
, The decision is with you, colonel
= My advice is against your plan. AND
, yeti that information opened the
= road 10 Richmond-it would mean
r Gen. Somers."
r II have your permission" Their,
, was no answer. 81 shall start in 81
minutes, then" said Somers. The
, general gave his hand in silence anC
turned away.
avoid capture" he said, sadly
I Day by day famiiiar faces were pass
ing from him.
II shall not be captured. If i
= was the reply. He reentered the pres
4 ence of Louise clad in the uniform o
confederate captain. The old ne
Cress was with her, and, hat in hand
young man, her son. was delivering
message to her. Somers caugh
enough of the words to gather tina
he came from Richmond.
How did you pass through tn
lines?' he asked, abruptly. The ne
gro grinned and was silent. Can yo,
guide me through-quick, man
speak" The negro looked at tn
Z uniform.
yes, sab. But it's er long way
now-an' through the swamp, too"
Louise, for your sake and tn
chid's l shall try. If l return n
more-it will be because I-hav
failed!"
"Corpe--to me, Richard-kneel. An
now, God-bless you. 'Tis a sinfu
womun's prayer-but He will hear
even me, a murderess!"
"Murderess! Louise!"
81 tried to kill him-tried TO en-
It! | fired to kill in my despair
j. was the wrong man. | saw dimly-
through the blinds--another woman
room-under the light of mate