The Iola register., 1901-06-21

stay hyar anyhow
"But that child must not remain
here; she is in danger every moment.
You must move out!"
"Whey we goin' move, sab? Don't
know nobody any better off'n we are
roun' hyah. Marster tell me to stay
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 adiuncts 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 best 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 a moment, his thoughts reverted to
the cherished memento in his locket,
the worldless message of love which
had so mysteriously reached him. 1t
was Just one slender curl-the curl
that had touched his cheek, he was sure,
and with it name. They were enough;
no words could have summoned up
more vividly the scenes of that dark
ened wingroom, 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
to the present. Around him were con-
tending hosts of doomed men, the spir-
it Of war hovered 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 q
sergeant up to inquire as to the cause,
when the sound OF rapid hoof-beats ap-
| 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 head
ing the captured animal and carrying
| itB 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 it's
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 call
surgeon. Where did he come from?"
Somers was strangely affected.
Don't know, sir. He came riding
headlong through the rebel pickets. 1
think, and they shot him. We didn't
shoot at all, for at first the horse
seemed TO be loose, and when we did
see the young fellow on 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 motioned
for Somers to approach.
"A womanl" he whispered.
"ISsit posSiblel To my room-to my
rooml" The rough soldiers again lift
ed the frail form tenderly and placed
ii upon the bed inside. A hurried ex-
animation disclosed the wound; a shot
from behind had passed entirely
through the body.
"She cannot live" said the surgeon,
gently, as he arose and covered up the
white form. "There is not the slight
est chance for her" The sentence OF
death seemed TO inspire her with a sud-
den consciousness. She opened her
eyes widely, and they rested in wonder
upon the blue uniforms and strange
faces.
what has happened?" she asked.
weakly. "Where am ~"
"You have been wounded, madam"
said the surgeon, badly wounded; but
you are in friendly hands"
"Ah!-Raymond-told me-that he
had-had arranged with-the picket
to pretend only to fre-oh. they have
killed mel" She shuddered, but with
sudden return of full consciousness she
cried aloud MY papersl-they arc
Valuablel-where are they?"
I'VE have none, madam"
"Oh, God!-what agony!-oh, sirs,
suffer, suffer sol"
Drink this" said the surgeon, plac-
ing = glass of stimulant TO her lips;
more II you can; 1t will sustain you"
I'm the saddle poekets--my papersl"
Her eyes closed In exhaustion. A young
sficeT who was sent TO fad tha docu-
nentS eamo back quickly:
Saddle trailing underneath; pocls-
etc empty" She heard him and un-
dsrstood
Lost! Then-I, too-am lost. Ray
mond!-Raymondl" She turned her
face away and wept silently.