Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-02

R
 BLIND, ALMOST. WITH RAGE, SON.
 FRS RUSHED UPON HIS ENEMY. wealth. The cause for hesitancy lay in the possibility of detention and dis covery; for although the papers which he so highly valued were, as he sup posed, unintelligible to any mind other than his own, he was confederate of- fcer, and desertion meant death. He had secured three weeks leave to go south 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 imag- ined. It 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 deathupon that distant road. Holbin had actually ridden nearly to the point with her; had ridden until warned. He had waited when she left him until the fatal volley was fired, and then, terri fled, fled home and took refuge in his room. His mother, cool and unflinch- ing, had sought him there, mute question upon her pale face, and he had roughly, fercely 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; he had intended to desert her again, and leave her to find her way out of Richmond as best sine might, and ha did pnf than int fn rnf,,rp t1,,,+ the murder was not part of his plan
 He was unnerved and unfit for the enterprise which now meant so much for him. Arrayed in the worn uniform of federal prisoner, his papers and pass safe within his beast-pocket, his horse concealed in the garden, Ray mond had been on the point of ventur- ing forth when sergeant reached the house with an official eommunica ton requiring an answer. The soldier stood at the 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 is there. Kill him if he attempts to escape. A thou sand dollars if you kill or capture him." The soldier ran, cooking his gun as he entered the side gate. The mother went at once to her sons room. She met William, who was bringing an am swer to the soldiers letter.
 "Yes'm. he's in es room." he said. The light in her son's 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 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 a cry of amazement he rushed into the room, drawing his sword as he entered.
 'sWho 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!'
 'YesW 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 t.s old enemy in doubt.
 Speak out, sir!''
 Spare your voice, Raymond Holbin. came with a message for you. Louise is dying in my camp; I 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 ahe matter-of-fact question. Did you suppose that she was dead ?"
 "Yes. 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 maR came rushing over him again.
 .'You encouraged her! You knew she under false promise-her statementl Frances, Frances, out of this room! God has sent me to ayenge Louise. Madman, murderer, we settle many debts today" Blind, almost, with his rage, Somers rushed upon his enemy. Their swords clashed as, facing each ether. the. two men cireled about the