Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-28


 she turned towards him. T nave now no chance on earth except a chance to play for even and quit the country. Louise, if I succeed will you go back with me into the old sweet life? I will be true to you; will right all of your wrongs-and I will be 8 fa. ther indeed to your child. Let us go, Louise, out of this wild, heartless country back across the ocean to the little English home, back to our flow CTS, back to the old life" He took her hand, and this time she did not withdraw 1t.
 My child," she said, almost in- audibly, her face lowered and her bosom rising and falling rapidly.
 That will be all right-alI right. swear to you she is we'll and has not forgotten you. She never fails to ask for you, and at night to say her little prayer" A cry burst from the wretched woman.
 "My baby! My baby!" She sank her face in her hands, then sprang to her feet. You deceived me- she said, frantically, beginning to walk the floor, q cannot-I cannot believe you"
 'I have no cause to deceive you, Louise-none." He, spoke very ten derly; "and l would not if I could now. This uniform, these shoulder straps, mean nothing in my case but disgrace. 1 am stay-at-home. The dullards of my class at West Point are brigadier generals in the field; I am uniformed clerk.''
 ''The woman-?'' Louise could not conclude her question.
 ''She will not assent" he said, sav- agely; and then quickly, lest a nat ural inference should array her against him again, T have purposely made myself so obnoxious to her that she would rather be a pauper than share a fortune with me. She has yet time to decide, for she is not 21; but I know her decision in ad- vance,"
 And then?''
 ''Then life with you, Louise, our child's happiness provided for. I do not count upon that fortune; the slaves will be free and all values up- set; land will not be worth much in this state." Louise came close to him and laid her hand upon his shoulder.
 If I could only trust you," she said, sadly, "all might yet be we'll, for have way-'
 What do you mean?" She hesi- tated and, leaning over, whispered a sentence in his ear. He lifted his face quickly.
 How much?'
 "Opr own price," |Our own price!" "And revenge, Raymond, revenge for you"
 Revenge said. No price | could be complete without that. And what revenge! The assassin stabs his foe and is infamous; the man who stays his country's foe is hero Louise, you have made me happy, and you little know how chance has ia | vored you. l am connected with the war department - l have friends around me; and, better, I have my ! facts in hand''
 'I'ou were planning then, too."
 'I did not know what might arise | and l was determined to be ready; was tired of doing the work while oth, CTS reaped the benefit. But now comes the greatest difficulty-and that re- minds me. How did you get here ! through the lines?"
 "You remember the little farm in which I had only life interest, the only thing we could not sell? I was warned that it would soon be within the southern lines and was sent there to wait. Jackson's army passed over it, and I came on to Richmond and de. ivered my messages" Holbin was as founded.
 Who do you know here?"
 She shook her head. Not a human being beside yourself. l placed my papers in a certain receptacle to which had been directed. If there is an an swer l shall find it in the same place at an appointed time." Holbin walked the floor in great. excitement.
 ''1know both the place and the time, he said; II took your messages; but | there never would have been any an swer except for this meeting. I alone can supply the information which is desired, and I shall not let it gc through the usual channel. It is the chance of my life. I have facts that nc other human being could have accumu lated, facts of vital importance. My God, Louise! A million dollars is ( small price,"
 Give them to me-" she said; "I vii deliver them upon one condition"
 "One condition? Name it.''
 '"The price shall be paid to me-" Hol bin stood in deep thought.
 'No,'' he said, as if dismissing some mental argument, ''it is too dangerous a mission for any woman. Capture would mean for you certain death."
 My child!" she said, simply; snt then: T shall find a way to ge through
 "Then make the trip safely, and swear to you 1 will surrender the chile and come to you, too"
 ''Oh, Raymond, promises, promises It would be inhuman to deceive m now"
 You will control the future if yo' deliver my information and collect tn price," She knew him well enough t' . @[ == .o>9|E{{: