Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-05


the parlor opposite. Helen left us and
went into the library. Lib came in
Bearing decanter and glaoses. |
drank to the host and the assembled |
company, promising that during the |
occupation by the Union forces would
use my influence to gain them every
favor and protection. l had drained |
any glass and, setting 1t down, was
about TO 60 out to mount my horse
when Helen came out of the library |
and crossed the hall, hand In hand |
with an officer in Confederate uni
form. Ills forehead was bound with a
handkerchief, he walked with difficult
ty and. l judged. had been severely
wounded. Jack sprang forward and
seized the other hand.
major Branderstane," said Helen,
.my brother"
Great God! Before me stood-my en-
envy!
AS at night by flash of lightning
one may see for an instant a landscape
distinct in all its details, SO saw again
the events of the night of the massa-
ere. There were the flashing shotguns.
the soldiers coming down the hill,
figure with garments streaming in the
wind running to me for protection.
And now before me stood the man with
the smoking pistol. Involuntarily put
my hand to my revolver.
II am your prisoner, SIR" he said
quickly. you do not need your weap-
on"
Helen's eyes flashed. would you
shoot an unarmed man"
Jack, mute with terror, staggered to
the gray clad figure and chung to it.
her expressive eyes bent on me. min
gled fame of reproach and wrath.
My hand rested on my holster.
moved not, spoke not but stood star
ing at the group that stared at me.
This man, whom had been hunting to
kill, whom Helen had stimulated me to
pursue. against whom she had even
voluntarily pledged herself to aid me
in my revenge, had now suddenly APP
peared as her brother.
II was wounded" said the officer,
sat Fort Donelson and was brought
here to my fathers house. am unable
to endure the fatigue Of fight; there
fore am compelled to surrender"
captain Stanforth, / have been
hunting for you for months"
"Me?"
"You."
what for?"
A hush came over all. as If about to
listen to sentence of death.
ITO kill you"
There was a brief murmur among
those looking on, then they stood
breathless. waiting for the next scene
in what promised to be tragedy.
Only Helen knew what my words
meant saw a spasmodic culver pass
over her as had seen death touch a
= comrade who had been shot in battle.
Then. gathering her forces, she stood
still, her face denoting the smothered
fires of a volcano.
MAY ask, sir" said the officer. pale
but calm. why you desire my death!"
'l'he 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 l
should have shown gentleness and
magnanimity. Here was an opportuni-
ty to make graceful acknoWledS-
ment of Helen Stanforth's service and
sacrifice. perhaps to heal the breach
between us. i threw it away. My
abandoned purpose was rekindled-l
was crazed by Helen's treatment. l
drew my revolver and brought it to
bear on my unarmed enemy.
Coward" cried Helen.
/ turned to her scornfully. "Who
babe me pursue this man to the bitter
end?"
81"
"Who promised to aid meY
az"
"Who now begs for her brothers life
Mt the hands of a southern renegade|'
81? NeverH She sprang between
me and her brother. "Firen'
She stood glaring at me, beautiful in
her uncompromising fury. was be,
wildered, entangled in the meshes OF
her beauty, her relentless will power,
Then suddenly cold chill swept over
me, as a blighted frost across land
hot with the rays of tropical sun.
stood aghast at what l had DONE
had returned her inestimable service
by miserable attempt to force her tt
beg for her brothers life. | had los
what hope had cherished Of recon
ciliation-of winning her. threw m!
weapon into corner and was stridini
from the room, when Captain Stan
forth, freeing himself from Jack, cried
.'In the name Of GOD, what does al
this meanY'
at means. Captain stanforth.''
said, turning, "that on certain nigh
in east Tennessee party of Unionist
on their way north were ambushed b
citizens with shotguns. A body c
Confederate cavalry came down
their assistance. You, captain
at is false. led my company
the scene you mention not to attacl
but to protect"
1t was now my turn to stand stup