Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-07-18
CHAPTER XIII.-CoNTINUEp.

Holbin had heard of Frances latest
whim, the union soldier. He had not
interested himself in the latter's well
fare, but he made his appearance in
the wingroom on the day after Louise
had been pacified, and, finding only
NANNY there with the wounded man,
ne entered and engaged him in cheer
full conversation. He gave him the
latest news from the front, and sup
piled him with cigars. Responding to
these attentions, the soldier readily
told his story. When the name of Rich
ard Somers, his former enemy, was
reached, Holbin was visibly excited.
Still, not for one instant did it occur
to him to connect the presence of the
wounded man in that room with the
fact that Somers was his captain; and
the soldier himself naturally took it
for granted that the cause of his pres
ence was well understood by all.
Frances found Holbin there, and
stood silently resentful upon the
threshold until he had explained his
visit.
81 am told by the clerk in the de-
partment," he said, that you had
secured pass for your protege, and
was repentant that you had been
forced to ge there in person. I have
called now to offer my assistance.
There is something else to be done for
wounded man besides getting him
d pass. He must have transportation
and assistance generally"
81 have been thinking of that" she
admitted, troubled.
''If l may be allowed to do a wound
ed enemy a service" said Holbin, 81
shall take him in my buggy to our
outposts."
81 am sure that he will be greatly
obliged" The soldier expressed him
self grateful, and Holbin went away,
making light of the service and with
out further effort to trespass upon the
girls rare mood. On the inner stair
he paused in deep thought, his dark
face savagely triumphant. His moth
er met him in the hall above and
read excitement in his every move
ment.
"What is it, Raymond?" He hesi-
tated and smiled wickedly
81 am afraid even you would be
shocked, mother mine. But trust me,
when l do tell you about it, you will
not be ashamed of your cub"
raymond, how dare you?" The
woman's face grew crimson, and then
white as from a sudden terror. He
showed his teeth and disappeared be-
fore she could stop him. Angry and
uneasy, she sought her own room
The wounded soldier rode next day
with Raymond Holbin, his pale face
rejecting the light of liberty's sun
not yet risen for him, his blue uni
form busted and cleaned until every
button was as of gold.
"Good-by, miss he said; "I'll de-
liver your message, an / know the
cap'n II be a proud man to see me
back!" He offered nanny his last
greenback, but it was Indignantly re-
fused, witnesses being present.
Dat green money amt no good
down here nohow."
eft will be-" said the soldier, sim.
ply.
Holbin returned next day and gave
q vivid account of his parting with
the happy prisoner; and then he i'm.
mediately sought his own room; but
not before Frances, little ashamed
of herself, had thanked him warmly
for his kindness to her soldier.
Upon the same day the confederate
relief picket found federal soldier
lying dead within their lines. He
had been shot from behind with 9
pistol held so close to his coat that
Il was burned by the powder. The
Effair afforded but few minutes
discussion, for the explosion of fire
arms was almost incessant at times
and dead men in June, 1862, were
plentiful around Richmond. The only
part of the mystery worth consider
ing from the military standpoint wa,
how the man got through the lines al