The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-11-13
''Captain Stanforth, | have been

captain Stanforth. have been
hunting for you for months"
"MeY
"You"
"what for"
A hush came over all, rs IL about to
listen to n sentence of death.
"To kill you"
There was n brief murmur among
those looking on. then they stood
breathless. waiting for the next scene
in what promised to be n tragedy.
Only Helen knew what my words
meant. saw spasmodic quiver pass
over her as | had seen death touch
comrade who had been shot In battle.
Then, gathering her forces, she stood
STILL her face denoting the smothered
fires OF volcano.
"May I ask, SIR" said the officer. pale
but calm. "why you desire my dcathT
"The wrong. the brutal wrong you
did"
know not why some demon OF bar
barism should have come to me at this
critical moment when of all Others
should have shown gentleness and
magnanimity. Here was an opportuni'
ty to make a graceful acknowledg
ment of Helen Stanforth's service and
sacrifice. perhaps to heal the breach
between us. threw II away. My
abandoned purpose was rekindled-l
was crazed by Helen's treatment.
drew my revolver and brought 1t to
bear on my unarmed enemy.
Coward" cried Helen.
I turned to her scornfully. "Who
bade me pursue this man to the bitter
end?"
"I"
"who promised to aid meT
at"
"Who now begs for her brothers life
st the hands of southern renegadeT
az? Never She sprang between
me and he eSa,rother. "Firer'
She stood glarlng at me. beautiful in
her uncompromlsing fury. ! was be-
wildered. entangled In the meshes OF
her beauty. her relentless will power.
Then suddenly cold chill swept over
we. as n blightcd frost across land
hot with the rays of tropical sun.
stood aghast at what ! had done.
had returned her inestimablc service
by miserable attempt to force her to
beg for her brothers life. had lost
what hope ! had cherished of recon.
ciliation-of winning her. threw my
weapon into a corner and was striding
from the room. when Captain Stan
forth, freeing himself from Jack. cried:
N hn Of I'D xyho
this mean?"
ut means. Captain Stanforth."
said. turning. that on a certain night
IN east Tennessee party of Unionlsts
II on their way north were ambushed by
citizens with shotguns. A body OF
Confederate cavalry came down to
their assistance. You, captain
at is false. led my company to
the scene you mention not to attack
but to protect"
1t was now my turn to stand stupe
fed. Had | been all these months fol
lowing an error?
81 came on the ground" Captain
Stanforth continued, "just in time ia
witness the most dlabolical sight
ever saw In the south. One incident
Of that terrible night | shall always
remember-a murder that l punished
with my own hand. l saw woman
flying for protection to n man who
stood near her. A cowardly cur beside
me fired. and she fell through her pro.
tector's arms. drew my revolver and
shot the murderer dead"
"Y0u shot the murderer"
had no tongue for other words
This man. dear to Helen, dear to Jack
dear to all this household, was not only
innocent of the crime had imputed to
him, but was my avenger. ! took one
step forward and seized his hand.
'Thank Godp'
"You have been mistaken"
$50 far mistaken that had II not
been for these two women I would
have shot you down where you stand
l strobe to the door, rushed down the
patch to the gate, mounted my horse
and without once looking back at the
gaping crowd behind me galloped down
the road after the advancing army.
A