Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-29
did you suppose that she

Eyes. She insisted upon trying TO
run the gauntlet" A light dawncd
upon Somers. A cry of horror escaped
him, and all the old enmity for the man
came rushing over him again.
you encouraged her! You knew she
was going 10 her death! You sent hAr
under false promise-her statement!
Frances, Frances, out of this rooml
God has sent me to avenge Louise.
Mailman, murderer, we settle many
debts to-day" Blind, almost, with his
rage, Somers rushed upon his enemy.
Their swords FLASHED as, facing each
other, the two men circled about the
room. Then Holbin's sword went
down. With incredible quickness he
avoided the thrust which was almost a
part of the disarminN blow, rushed to
the easement window, leaped into il,
and burst open the blinds. His hand
thrust in his bosom quickly reached
backward; pistol flashed. At this in
slant the sergeant rushed into the
room, saw the blue uniform escaping
through the window, and the extended
pistol. He leveled his gun ard fired.
The man in the window rceled back and
plunged headlong into the room.
at couldn't be helped, captain said
the soldier, lowering his weapon. Once
outside he would have given us long
chase. Did he hit you?" Well might
he ask the question. Capt. Somers was
deathly pale a be looked upon the body
Of his foe.
"No," he said, utterly alta loss TO un-
derstand the situation. Frances. in
the moment of the tragedy, reeled
against the wall, sick and faint, but the
instinct of woman whose loved one is
in danger instantly rallied her TO her
senses. She was the first to realize the
full significance Of the soldiers action.
"fou have saved our lives" she said
weakly; ANY reward you may claim is
yours. The man was evidently a spy"
Her hospital experience and familiar
ity with tragedies had served her well
But the strain was fearful, and she COW
cred her eyes again.
Brief as was the respite for Somers
IL was sufficient. Passing his arm
around her, he urged her out of the
room.
Three minutes 49, keep everybody
out for three minutes and am safe"
he whispered. White as a ghost, but
brave. she took her stand at the foot
of the stair and waited.
Somers returned and bent above the
figure of his enemy, his mind al work.
The reference by Louise to the dis
patches, the blue uniform, the horse
tied in the yard, the hour, and the
character of the man aroused multi
tude of suspicious. From the pocket
he drew sealed packet and folded
paper, the latter pass through the
lines. There was no time for an eX-
animation of the package; the soldier,
leaning upon his gun, was waiting.
| Promotion for Somers was in sight :;
but he had entered the room with an
avowal that he could not disregard
Sergeant" he said, take this to the
war departments; it will bring you pro-
motion, think. The honor is yours"
But, captain, it was you who really
did the work. We're you after hiEl?'
Yes" said Somers, slowly, II was
looking for the man and had reason 10
suppose that he was on these premises
I came in to find him. He evidently en-
tered this room ind esperationl Go
at once, sergeant, and send an am
I bulance. What family lives here?" He
asked the question in support Of his
character as a stranger,
Capt Holbin's, sir! He is up
stairs"
Full of the importance Of his secret
the soldier hurried away. Somers
passed through the hall aud out
through the other door into the gar
den. lifting his hand towards Frances
Steps were approaching the stairway;
she passed quickly TO the outside and
found him waiting.
They will find him in the uniform Of
his country's enemy he said, land the
papers from his pockets will prove hin
spy. am unknown. The soldier vii
say that confederate officer pursued
the guilty man until he took refuge
here, and disappeared" The CIR
stood mute and silent before him.
Farewell, Frances he said.
Farewell, sir" He looked at her
moment in doubt, and in silence lef
her. When he glanced back over hi,
shoulder he saw her white form still
motionless under the tree. \ horse
near him whickered inquirngly; he
united him and rode out As he ap
preached the gate a shrek reached hin
from the wing-room, and turning he
spurred back again. Frances was re
entering the room.
"Wait!" he cried in agony-"Wait'
He threw himself from his horse anc
was instantly at her side. Frances
Frances, is it thus we part? Think
what it means! VIII you not give mt
one word?" She turned slowly anc
YEARLY upon the step
"There is nothing to say but fare
well If | were mother, and my sor
came to me as an enemy of Virginia,
should say the same to him
"You do not love me then" he said
bitterly; "lovc forgets, forgives every
thing" She lifted her face, white will
an unspeakable suffering.
Father in Heaven, Thou knowes
my heart! Thou knowest how l hav
atoned to my own people for him
how for him I have ministered TO m.
enemies-Thou krowest, Thou know
est! And now" she said, sobbingly
"my heart breaks-I am weak! WI
i J.