The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-06-29
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
The woman who 4tantd from the
upper window OF the wing of the Brook
in residence that dune night iu is62
was the ever-cautious mother scanning
the outward route chosen for her son.
who az that moment was In his room
concluding his arrangements for per-
ilous enterprise
The time had arrived " hen Raymond
Holbin was 10 risk his future upon one
bold stroke III he failed, he was no
worse OIL than al the moment, unless.
indeed, he should be captured. With
the Brookin fortune dissipated 10y war.
Richmond presented but few attrac-
lions for him. II ne succeeded In all
that his busy mind had planned life
held for him Frances revenge and
wealth. The cause for hesitancy lay
in the possibility Of detention and dis.
coyery; Ton although the papers which
he highly valued We're. he sup
posed urlutelligible 90 aus mind other
than hs own, he was d confederate Of
tcer aud Cascrt.cn meant death, lie
had secured three weeks leave % go
south upon urgent business. but this
aid not alter his liability. What passed
through he mind Of this man he sat
in his room that night may 30 mag
ined. II may be assumed that hC
thought OF Louise. who with bogus dis
patches In her saddle pockets and false.
ly Informed had gone 10 her death upon
that distant road. Hohin had actually
ridden nearly 20 the point with hers
had ridden until warned lie had
waited when she left him until the
fatal volley was fred. and then. terri-
fed fled home and took refuge ID his
room. Hi, mother cool and unflinch-
ing, had sought him there, mute
question upan her pale face, and he
had roughly, fercely ordered her
away For let justice be cone him he
had this time Ia lis weakness executed
the dictate. of a stronger will than his
own. lie had not intended 10 be fair
with Louise be bad intended to desert
her again and leave her 10 find her way
out OF Richmond as hest She might. and
he cid not then intend 20 return5 but
the murder was NOT part of his plan
lie was unnerved and unfit for the
enterprise which now meant 80 much
for him Arrayed IA the worn uniform
Of q federal prisoner. his papers and
pass safe within his beast-pocllet his
horse concealed in the garden Ray
mond had been Oh the point of yentur-
ing forth when sergeant reached the
house with an official communication
requiring an answer The soldier
stood al the front door and with
prompt decision the woman who left
the rear window hurried TO that point.
Qnickin she said; run around to
the side gate and come to the wing
room. Yankee SPY is there. Kill
him " be attempts 10 escape. A thou
sand dollars III YOU XIII or capture him.
The soldier nan cooking his gun a he
entered The side gate The mother
went at once 70 her sons room She
met William. who vas bringing an an-
swer % the soldiers letter
"Ies'm he's III IA room, he said.
The light IN her sons room shone
through the transom There was no
time 70 explain 10 Raymond Know
ing his violent and excitable nature
and remembering his disguise. which
he might forget II there was an alarm
below she noiselessly turned the key
in bis door and plided on 10 her room,
But Raymond had left IFS room imme-
diotely after handing William thcnote
and wa already approaching Frances
room below IS he passed the hail 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 Lis sword n De entered
Who are you sir2 why are Won III
thi room2a he asked. augrily Somers
drew his sword instantly and cons
fronted him Holbin had paused and
was staring wildly.
"Richard Somersi"
'Yes.H Somers gently pm; aside the
slender form which instantly inter-
posed between him and the man he had
sought His eyes scanned the familiar
uniform eff his old enemy ii doubt
'Speasout ,ir.n
spare your voice Raymond IIolbin.
! catnc with message for you Louise
Is dying in my camp; was unable to
resist her prayer She implores yuu 10
60 30 her to right her wrongs. for her
child's sake. Go. II you are man. and
can; let this marriage take place; do
something for the miserable woman
whom you have 80 deceived"
"she was not killed, them
'She Is dying. said Somers shocked
and sickened at the matter-of-fact
n--,z