Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-09-21

blood mat had been surging IN his brave
heart rushing to his cheeks. But / re
peat that those things were placed in
my clothing since returned to this hos
pital."
THAT may be-" rejoine6 The major
with dignifed calmness. I'VE are not
authorized to question you, nor are you
forced to speak"
"Then why, sir, did you have these
things brought here?' demanded Colin.
Morton" said the major, you must
be calm; no person here accuses you Of
anything improper. We all hope that in
the investigation which it is my duty to
make, the evidence shall bear out all
your representations, for your conduct,
at the time Of the wreck, has not been
forgotten. But ms you are a man of rea-
son and some education, you will concede
that l, as the commanding officer OF this
post, would be derelict in my duty If |
did not institute the most searching in
vestigation.'
You are right in that. l court an in
vestigation. | do not dread the truth,
but weak as | am, | cannot remain here
and see my life jeopardized and my hon
or sullied by as damnabe conspiracy
as was ever Matched"
Morton" said the doctor, coming over
and taking his hand, so that he could feel
the pulse, you must not get excited.
Calm yourself and listen to the major.
We all want to be your friends"
"Dr. Ross" said Florence, rising, pale
faced, but with look Of mingled horror
and indignation in her eyes, will this
talk endanger Colin Morton's life?'
Il fear it WILL" said the doctor.
"That is what the conspirators want,
she said, tragcally. "They have planned
his ruin, and nothing else will satisfy
them! They have plotted with the devil,
but | shall trust in heaven to defeat
themr' She knelt beside the bed, and
taking his hand between her palms, she
said, imploringly: Listen to them, Colin;
hear them out, brave heart
Il must speak, Florence. | must
speak, cried the distracted soldier.
'Speak again, Colin; speak again, but
listen now. See, my hearts life, here l
am, kneelng beside you. Your right
white hand is clasped in mine: | press 1T
to my heart, to my lips. | kiss it for its
strength, and the strength of its purity.
Though the dead man rose from the
grave, or came dripping from the waters
OF the Sound, and pointed to you and
said: There is my murderer! l should
shout him back with the cursed lie ON his
ghostly lips! Brave men are never MUIR
derers; brave men are never plotters;
brave men are never liars. Mr.. Reynolds.
if the dead could revisit the earth, would
be your first defender. He is not here,
Colin. They have slain him because
II. q
part l. shall remain with you, because l
love you. Look up, Colin. Hold up your
brave head. Look into their eyes, dear
heart, for truth and manhood are on your
side-and my life, Colin-my heart IS
bleeding, but not slain, at your feet.
Could an actress have uttered these
words on n dramatic stage-uttered them
with the awful heart fervor and indie
scribable intensity of expression that
characterized the manner of Florence
Loring, the world would ring with her
praise, and Fame would wait or Forum
to do her honor.
AS it was the officers drew back and
excepting the majors protruding orbs, ev'
cry eye was wet with tears; but Mrs.
Phelps, no longer able to control her
emotion, knelt beside Florence and sob
bed aloud.
Robert Bracebridge drew back after he
had complied with the majors order. He
saw the papabe evidences Of his com
rade's guilt-not OF his guilt, but the
proofs Of the charges that would be
brought against him-and he felt that
he was himself in some way to blame.
Excited, fearful and maddened to the
border of recklessness, Robert Brace
bridge was about to speak in his COM
rade's behalf, when the major, with his
still ponderous and pompous manner,
stopped him.
Il wish to assert again." he said, that
this is not trial. Our only object is TO
get at the truth. AS l told my brother
officers, Mr.. Reynolds, IL Mortons story
is to he credited, was killed by the In
dian named Fish Hawk, and that person
is here. anxious for trial, and ready to
prove. by Indians and reliable white men,
that he was in the vicinity of the Fort
the night when Morton claims the attack
took place Now, Morton is either right
or wrong If he had any hand III the
destruction of Mr. Reynolds, it could only
be for gain. This is how | reason, for
Mr.. Reynolds proved in selecting nm
that there was no enmity between them;
therefore, il Morton was the aggressor
ii must have been for gain. If for gam,
I thought he must have some of the OIL
GERS property in his possession when he
came to the Fort; this is why | asked
about his clothing"
(To be continuedl