Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-04-09

there he stuck, with all the time for
plotting that might be demanded.
What seemed to Holbin an oppor-
tunity for a sweeping revenge came
very unexpectedly. Up to then he had
been but an instrument in the hands
of his mother and that large circle
of inyisibles known to him who
Slapped the strength of the confeder-
acy. Their many interests preceded
his. The opportunity came through
Louise. He did not dare to disregard
her card and responded instantly to
her implied command, armed with
his old secret and virtuous indig-
nation. He had almost forgotten her.
A year before, when she had suff1-
oiently recovered from her illness to
permit it, he had sent her north, de-
oeived by sacred" pledges, to q new
hiding place. The immediate opening
of hostilities had seemed to fix the
separation. II had never occurred to
to cross the lines.
The new meeting between Louise and
Holbin was marked by great display
OF passion on his part; she was calm
and collected, suggestion of reckless
ness, however, in her eyes and every
movement; her face relentless and
white with despair of an abandoned
life. For the first time Holbin failed
to move her to anger or to tears.
II came" said she, when his rage had
spent itself and in answer to his de-
spairing offer of money if she would
depart, mot because need your 81
sistance-that is, your money, for do
not; I am now well supplied" She
could not have touched him in more
delicate spot. A swift jealousy, a curl
Gus indignation, filled him.
Whose money!" he asked, breath
lessly.
He is very rich, and gives with lib
eral hand when the woman is smart,
is able, is fearless, and willing to risk
her life at his bidding" 1t was not the
speech, but the cautious glance which
involuntarily she gave to her surround
ings that awoke suspicion in his
breast.
Louise. you are "a"
! Hush! I am a mother robbed of
her child; that is explanation enough;
for such woman is capable of any
thing, even murder, as you know. Ray
mond, where is my daughter?" He
looked at her uneasily. and the white
feather appeared in spite of his efforts
to conceal it.
"She is we'll, and well cared for"
II asked you where. and you have not
answered mel"
There is much to be agreed upon be-
tween us before l tell you that" he
said, after pause, during which he
narrowly watched her. He took a
seat close beside her and continued
in his old confidential, half-appealing
way: Louise, l am ruined, dis
graced man, and ripe for anything
that will take me out of this city,"
He paused, but she did not answer or
seem to hear him, and he added:
My downfall began when I was I'M
true to myself-to you. l have never
had q moments good luck since;
everything has gone wrong with me-"
| Still she did not answer him, but her
bosom heaved once or twice, and a
strange look came into the white face
| she turned towards him. II have now
no chance on earth except chance
to play for even and quit the country.
Louise, if 1 succeed will you go back
with me into the old sweet life? 1
Will be true to you; ! will right all
OF your wrongs-and I will be fa-
ther indeed to your child. Let us go,
Louise, out of this wild, heartless
country back across the ocean to the
little English home, back to our flow
ers, back to the old life" He took
her hand, and this time she did not
withdraw it.
MY child" she said, almost in
audibly, her face lowered and her
bosom rising and falling rapidly.
That will be all right--all right
l swear to you she is well and has
not forgotten you. She never fails
to ask for You, and at night to say
her little prayer" y cry burst from
the wretched woman.
MY baby! My baby!" She sank
her face in her hands. then sprang
to her feet. You deceived me-" She
said, frantically, beginning to walk
the floor, II cannot-I cannot believe
you"
II have no cause to deceive you,
Louise-none." He spoke very ten
derby; "and ! would not if could
now. This uniform, these shoulder
straps, mean nothing in my case but
disgrace. I am stay-at-home. The
billiards of my class at West Point
are brigadier generals in the field;
am uniformed clerk"
1.-THE woman-?" Louise could not
conclude her question.
"She will not assent" he said saw
agely; and then quickly, lest nat
ural inference should array her
against him again, Il have purposely
made myself SO obnoxious to her that
she would rather be pauper than
share fortune with me. She has
yet time to decide, for she is not
FL; but 1 know her decision in ad-
vance,"
"And then7"
Then life with you, Louise, our
child's happiness provided for. 1 do
not count upon that fortune; the
slaves will be free and all values up
set; land will not be worth much in
this state" Louise came close to him
and laid her hand upon his shoulder.
"If could only trust you." she
said, sadly, "all might yet be well, for
have way"
what do you mean?" She hest
tated and, leaning over, whispered a
sentence in his ear. He lifted his face