Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-04-04


hoarsely, will you leave US? l know
this unfortunate woman" He was
instantly the focus of wondering eyes,
but for moment only. The little
group saluted in silence and with
drew.
"Louise!" he said. sadly, standing
by her side. The eyes of the woman
were fixed on him as he sought to
control his voice.
'Who spoke--who called Louise?"
st was L"
"Richard,"
"Yes; sadder, older--but Richard
still. God knows I speak the truth
when l say | have nothing in my heart
for you but the tenderest sympathy"
Her eyes clun., 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 l help you? I would
help you?-Louise, if I might"
Tell 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, 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 must!
Quick-let me whisper. He will
ccme-he won't refuse now! He was
Ito come-soon! The marriage
mrst-must-be fulfilled! Bring him
bring him-to me! Bring my
chi.d!"
Impossible, Louise" he cried.
"You do not know what you are say
ing. He is beyond the enemy's lines!"
h-but-but he is-coming! Wa
ter-water!'-h placed the drink
quickly to her lips-"coming, Rich
ard! Bring him-I am dying tell
him-I am dying-I-Louise-dying!
Nanon! Nanon!"
II am a 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 Gods
presence
Yes; in the presence of God."
"Would lie-oh, would lie
now?"
NO
"Kneel here-I shall tell you-now!
! I swear in His presence have loved
no man in life-but you-but you!"
"Hush!" he whispered, chilled and
shocked, seeking to release his hand.
''Believa, oh, believe mel"
81 cannot!"
''Relieve!"
81 cannot would if"
'Believe-believe me-Richard.n Her
hands tore feebly at slender chain
that had slipped down into her hos
ON, and drew little locket into view.
lie recognized it.
Il believe YOU" he said. gently, at
length. And he did; he had never
doubted it in his heart.
at is the last prayer of the wom-
an-who in all these years-of suf-
fering- shame-has loved you'll Go
to him! He will come-my child's
life-save the child for-her mothers
sake! Let me see her!'
The soldier had faced every danger
of the battlefield without tremor.
In the presence of this woman's. awful
agony his heart failed him. "The lost
papers-duplicates-du duplicates! Rich
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. 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 if / fail-death! I know that
But if | succeed, it may mean life
for many a man in this army. Still
let me be frank; shall go not for
that alone"
"The decision is with you, colonel
| My advice IS against your plan. Ant
yet-if that information opened the
road to Richmond-it would NEAR
l Gen. Somers."
II have your permission?" There
was no answer. 81 shall start in 81
minutes, then" said Somers. The
! general gave his hand in silence ant
turned away.
(. avoid capture" he said, sadly
Day by day familiar faces were pass
ing from him.
Il shall not be captured. If il
comes, it will be soldiers death,
was the reply. He reentered the pres
ence of Louise clad in the uniform O
a confederate captain. The old ne
gress 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 Won mass fhrol1uh fb.