Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-06-26

instinct or woman whose loved one 70
in danger instantly rallied her TO her
senses. She was the first to realize the
full significance Of the soldiers action.
you have saved our lives" she said.
weakly; amy reward you may claim is
yours. The man was evidently a spy"
Her hospital experience and familiar
ity with tragedies had served her well.
But the strain was fearful. and she Gov
cred her eyes again.
Brief as was the respite for Somers.
IT was sufficient. Passing his arm
around her. he urged her out of the
room.
Three minutes - Keep everybody
out for three minutes, and am safe"
he whispered. Whit. as ghost. but
brave. she took her sand at the foot
Of the stair and waited.
Somers returned and bent above the
hgure of his enemy. his mind at work.
The reference by Louise 10 the dis
patches, the blue uniform, the horse
tied in the yard, the hour, and the
character of the man aroused a multi
tude of suspicious. From the pocket
a
paper, the latter a pass through the
lines. There was no time for an ex-
animation of the package; the soldier.
lcaning upon his gun. was waiting.
Promotion for Somers was in sight;
but he had entered the room with an
avowal that he could not disregard.
Sergeant he said. take this to the
war department.. it will bring YOU pro-
motion, l think. TIE honor is YOURS"
But, captain. it was YOU who really
did the work. We're you after him ~
Yes" said Somers, slowly. IL was
looking for the man and had reason 70
suppose that he was on these premises.
| came in TO find him. He evidently en-
tered this room in-desperation! Go
at once, sergeant, and send an am
bulance. What family lives here?" He
asked the question in support of his
character as "A stranger.
Capt. Holbins, sir! He 10 up
stairs"
Full Of the Importance of his secret.
the soldier hurried away. Somers
passed through the hall and out
through the other door into the gar
den. lifting his hand towards Frances.
Steps were approaching the stairway;
she passed quickly TO the outside and
found him waiting.
They will find him in the uniform Of
his country's enemy" he said, "and the
papers from his pockets will prove him
spy. am unknown. The soldier will
say that confederate officer pursued
the guilty man until he took refuge
here. and disappeared" The girl
Cd 81
Farewell, Frances" he said.
Farewell. sir" He looked at her
moment in doubt, and in silence left
her. When he glanced back over his
shoulder he saw her white form still
motionlcss under the tree. \ horse
near him whickered inquiringly; he
united him and rode out. As he ap-
preached the gate a shrek reached him
from the wing-room, and turning he
Spurred back again. Frances was re-
entering the room.
"Wait!" he cried in agony-"Wait!"
He threw himself from his horse and
was instantly at her side Frances.
Frances. is it thus we part? Think
what il means! Will YOU not give me
one word ," She turned slowly and
YEARLY upon the step.
There is nothing TO say but fare
we'll If | were a mother. and my son
came to me as an enemy of Virginia, |
should say the same to him"
You do not love me. then" he said.
bitterly; love forgets. forgives every
thing!" She lifted her face, white with
an unspeakable suffering.
Father in Heaven, Thou knowest
my heart! Thou knowest how have
atoncd to my own people for him:
how for him | have ministcrcd to my
nemies-Thou knowest. Thou know
est! And now" she said. sobbingly.
my heart breaks-I am weak. VIII
you not go? 4 mother is in this
room with her dead"
Tomorrow begins "A bloody strug-
&c; and / would wish to carry with
me into eternity, if l perish, one kiss
from the woman | lovc-my wife!
Will you refuse me that?" She Gov
cred her face with her hands: then
suddenly she threw her arms about
him, her lips TO his He held her a
moment, white and silent Pushing
him from her, she turned to enter the
house. but sank upon her knees. lean
ing her head against the door Bend.
ing over, he laid his lips in one long
Kiss upon her curls, and in silence
left her.