The Iola register., 1901-06-21

W "
"LoUIsEw HE SAID. SADLY. STAND
ING BY HER SIDE.
body cnd drew the beautiful mouth
into = hin line of scarlet.
"Low may l help you? would
help you?-Louise, If / might"
TEL me-upon your souls honor
is-is--it-death?
He covered his eyes and stood ST.
lent. She waited in agony; he did
not answer her.
DEATH" she said, in horror. Help
me. help me, Richard!" Sobs shook
her, and She stretched out her hand
to him as one who is drowning. A
cry burst from the lips of the manly
soldier, a cry no less agouized 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-be fulfilled! Bring him
bring him-to me! Bring my
child"
impossible, 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
ter-water!"-he placed the drink
quickly to her lips-'coming, Rich
ardl Bring him-I am dying-ten
him-I am -Louise-dyingi
Eanonl Nanonl"
~ am q 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 l were
captured should die as the spy dies!"
"Richard-you and I-are-in Gods
presence!"
"Yes; in the presence of God!"
would ie-oh, would lie
now?"
"No."
"Kneel here-I shall tell you-nowl
! swear in His presence-I have loved
no man in life-but you-but you!"
"Hush!" he whispered, chilled and
shocked, seeking to release his hand.
believe, oh, believe mel"
81 cannotl"
"Believe!"
81 cannot-I would If"
"Believe-believe me-Richard." Her
hands tore feebly at slender chain
that had slipped down into her bos-
ON, and drew a little locket into view.
He recognized it.
81 believe you" he said, gently, at
length. And he did; he had never
doubted it in his heart.
ut 10 the last prayer of the wom-
sn-who in all these years-of suf-
fering- loved you! Go
to him! He will come-my child's
life-save the child for-her mothers
sake! Let nae see herl"
The soldier had faced every danger
of the battlefield without tremor.
In the presence of this woman's awful
agony his heart failed him. 1.-THE lost
neutrality-suspicious. Rioh-
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, l will return" He
rode TO headquarters and laid before
his chief all the facts. A long dis
cussion followed.
ut is a desperate venture general,
and IL l fail-death! 1 know that.
But II | succeed, 1t may mean life
for many a man in this army. Still,
let me be frank; I shall go not for
that alone"
''rhe decision is with you, colonel.
Ny advice is against your plan. And
yet-if that information opened the
road to Richmond--it would mean
Gen. SOmers."
II have your permission" There
was no answer. 81 shall start in 30
minutes, thea," said Somers. The
general gave his hand in silence and
turned away.
"AVOid capture" he said, sadly.
Day BY day famliar faces wepe pass
Ing from him.
II shall not be captured. II 1t
comes, it will be a soldiers death, !"
was tho reply. ILO reeutered the pres-
snoe Sf Louise clad in the uniform Of
= confederate captain. The old ne
gross was with her, and, hat in hand,
. young man, her son, was delivering
message to her. Somers caught
enough of the words to gather that
he came from Richmond.