Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-04-04

right hyah. an / goin' ter stay hyah.
Better TEX yo' folks an move on, sab,
whey you started" Somers had other
things to think about, and turned
away. Very likely the movement next
day would carry them beyond the cot
tage, and the danger was not press
ing at the moment. In the morning
the child might be sent to the rear
il necessary, and tonight he rather
welcomed the adjuncts of refined life.
He had use for the old woman, for
he was but recently out of hospital
and somewhat spoiled by nursing He
made himself and officers comfort
able in the hest rooms after the man
ner of old campaigners and prepared
for the short rest which he SO much
needed.
Somers had made the>necessary dis
positions and, left alone upon the porch
for moment, his thoughts reverted to
the cherished memento in his locket,
the worthless message of love which
had so mysteriously reached him. 1t
was just one slender curl-the curl
Ae " DIS III
and with it a name. They were enough;
no words could have summoned up
more wildly the scenes of that dark
ened wing-room, nor have told him
more eloquently that within the ex-
cited city there was one heart which
held no hatred for him. 1t was no hour
for dreaming. and he reused himself
70 he III
tending hosts of doomed men, the spir-
| it of war lowered over the rude camps,
and death lurked in the shadows, eager
| for his harvest. From the distance, the
echoes of dropping shots came family
to the ear. and presently what seemed
| to be a small volley. This volley
claimed his attention and that of the
Junior officers. and he had ordered a
sergeant up to inquire as to the cause,
when the sound of rapid hoof-beats APP
preached upon the road. and in the dim
light as he waited frightened horse.
pursued by half dozen troopers. sped
by. Presently the men returned lead
ing the captured animal and carrying
its late rider. The latter was youthful
and clad in confederate gray. which
was drenched with blood and covered
with dust; for the wounded rider,
clinging desperately to the name of
the horse as he lay extended upon its
neck, had finally fallen and been
dragged until the weight stopped the
runaway. The face of the unfortunate
fellow had escaped, and so young and
SO fair was it, even the hardened sol.
diers were touched.
He insists upon seeing an officer
said one of them. "Claims to have Sc,
crets to tell"
/ place him upon the porch and cell a
surgeon. Where did he come from?'
j Somers was Strangely affected.
Don't know. sir. He came riding
headlong through the rebel pickets.
think. and they shot him. We did,n'
shoot at all, for at first the horse
seemed to be loose. and when we die
see the young fellow or him. we knew
he was too near gone to escape. We
had orders against unnecessary alarms
and so we ran him down" The surgeon
came and laid open the jacket of the
now unconscious sufferer. He waved
back the curious group and motionet
for Somers to approach.
"a woman!" he whispered.
is it possible! To my room-to m,
room!" The rough soldiers again lift
ed the frail form tenderly and PLACED
it upon the bed inside. A hurried ex
animation disclosed the wound; sho.
from behind had passed entirel,
through the body.
"She cannot live" said the surgeon
gently. as he arose and covered up tn
white form. "There is not the slight
est chance for her" The sentence O
death seemed to inspire her with a sud
den consciousness. She opened he
eyes widely. and they rested in wonde
upon the blue uniforms and strang
faces.
what has happened?" she asked
weakly. where am ?"
'You have been wounded madam,
said the surgeon, badly wounded; blu
you are in friendly hands"
"Ah!-Raymond-told me-that h
had-had arranged with-the picket
to pretend only to fire-oh, they have
killed mel" She shuddered, but wit
sudden return of full consciousness sh