Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-04-23

had secured three weeks leave to r.
youth upon urgent business. but this
did not alter his liability. What passed
through the mind of this man as he sat
in his room that night may be mag
ined. 1t may be assumed that he
thought Of Louise. who with bogus dis
patches in her saddle pockets and false
ly informed had gone to her de q IN upon
that distant road. Holbin had actually
ridden nearly to the point with her;
had ridden until warned. He haA
waited when she left him until the
fatal volley was fired, and then, terri
fed, aed home and took refuge In his
room. His mother, cool and ulAinch-
ing, had sought him there. q mute
question upon her pale face, and ne
had roughly, hercely ordered her
away. For, let justice be done him, he
had this time in his weakness executed
the dictates of stronger will than his
own. He had not intended to be fair
with Louise; be had intended to desert
her again. and leave her to 4nd her way
out OF Richmond as best she might, and
be did not then intend 70 rsttrn: but
the murder was not part Of bis Plan.
He was unnsrved and unAt Ter tAs
enterprise which now meant 90 much
for him. Arrayed in the worn uaifern
OF federal prisoner. his papers and
pass safe within his beast-pookst. his
horse concealed in the garden, Ray.
mond had been on the point of vsntur-
ing forth when sergeant reached the
Will ~
requiring ali answer. The ssldisr
stood at tho front door, and With
prompt decision the woman who left
the rear window hurried to that point.
"Quick!" she said; run around to
the side gate and come to the wing
room. A Yankee spy 10 there. XIII
him if he attempts to escape. A thou
sand dollars if you kill or capture him."
The soldier ran, cooking his gun a. he
entered the side gate. The mother
went at once to her sons room. Shs
met William, who was bringing an an.
swer to the soldiers letter.
"Yes'm, he's in o. room" he said.
The light in her sons room shone
through the transom. There was no
time to explain to Raymond. Know
ing his violent and excitable nature,
and remembering his disguise, which
he might forget if there was an alarm
below, she noiselessly turned the key
in his door and glided on to her room.
But Raymond had left his room imme-
diately after handing William the note,
and was already approaching Frances
i room below AS he passed the hall en-
trance, the door leading from the
apartment into the garden opened and
husband and wife entered. With cry
| of amazement he rushed into the room,
drawing his sword as he entered.
| "Who are you, sir?-why are you in
/ this room?" he asked, angrily. Somers
! drew his sword instantly and con-
fronted him. Holbin had paused and
was staring wildly
/ Richard Somers!"
"Yes!" Somers gently put aside the
slender form which instantly inter-
! posed between him and the man he had
/ sought. His eyes scanned the familiar
uniform Of his old enemy in doubt.
Speak out, sir!"
! IL.
came with message for you. Louise
is dying In my camp; was unable to
resist her prayer. She implores you to
go to her to right her wrongs, for her
child's sake. Go, if you are man, and
can; let this marriage take place; do
something for the miserable woman
whom you have so deceived"
"She was not killed, then!"
"She is dying!" said Somers, shocked
and sickened at the matter-of-fact
question. did you suppose that she
was dead2"
/ ayes. She insisted upon trying to
run the gantlet." A light dawned
upon Somers. A cry of horror escaped
him. and all the old enmity for the man
came rushing over him again.
"You encouraged herl You knew she
was going to her death! You sent her
under false promise-her statement!
Frances, Frances, out OF this rooml
God has sent me to avsnge 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 oirclsd about tho
room. Then Holbin's sword went
down. With incredible quickness he
avoided the thrust which was almost a
part Of the disarming blow, rushed to
the easement window, leaped into 1t,
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 and Aired.
The man in the window reeled back and
! plunged headlong into the room.
ut couldn't be helped, captain" said
the soldier, lowering his weapon. '.ones
outside he would have given us long
chase. Did he hit your" Well might
he ask the question. Capt. somers was
dsathly pale as he looked upon the body
of his foe.
NO" he said, utterly at loss 70 un-
dsrstand the situation. Frances. in
the moment of the tragedy, reeled
against the wall, sick and faint, but tho
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.
"You have saved our lives" she said,
weakly; ANY reward you may claim il
yours. The man was evidently spy"
Her hospital experience and familiar.
ity with tragedies had served her well.
But the strain was fearful, and she Gov
cred her eyes again.