Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-04-19

cried cloud, MY ps1ers!-sAsy az,
vstpyhis!-whsss are thsyi"
I'VE have nsas, nAAaa."
"oh, Gedl-whAt sgonyi-sA, sire,
suffer. I suffer sol"
brink this." said The surgeon, plao
ing . glass Of stinulant 70 her lips,
more II ysu cen, it will Austain you"
In the saddle peeksts--ny Dapsrsi'
Asr eyes closed in exhaustion. A younl
efhcsr whs was sent to and the loou'
msats came back quickly:
Saddle trailing underneath; peck.
ets empty" She heard him and un
dsrstood.
"Lestl Thsn-I, teo-an lest. Ray.
mond!-Raymond!" She turned Ass
face away and wspt silently.
Gentlemen" said Richard sensrs
hoarsely. will you leave Us? / know
this unfortunate woman" He wat
instantly the focus of wondering eyes
but fer = moment only. The Mttl<
group saluted In silence and with
drew.
'Louise!" hs said, sadly. standing
by her side. The eyes of the woman
were fixed on him a. he sought e
control his voice.
who spoke-who called Louiss7"
ut was IL
"Richardl"
Yes; sadder, elder-but Richard
still God knows I speak the truth
when say have nothing in my heart
for you but the tenderest sympathy."
Her eyes clun. to his face through
the spasm Of pain that twisted he,
body and drew tho beautiful mouth
into thin line Of scarlet.
How may l help you? would
help you?-Louise, if l might"
Tell me-upon your souls honor
is-is-it-death?
He covered his eyes and stood ST.
lent. She waited In agony; he did
not answer her.
DEATH" she said, in horror. Help
me! help me, Richard" Sobs shool,
her, and she stretched out her hand
to him as one who is drowning. A
cry burst from the lips Of the manly
soldier. a cry no less agonized than
hers.
Louise! Louise!-I would give my
life to help you! Don't speak, don't
look at me that wayl"
You must help me-you must!
Quick-let me whisper! He will
come-he won't refuse now! He was
Ito come-soon! The marriage
must-must-be fulfilled! Bring him
bring him-to me! Bring my
child"
Impossible, Louise" he cried
"You do not know what you are say
ing. He is beyond the enemy's lines!"
"Ah--but-but he is-coming! Wa.
ter-water!"-he placed the drink
quickly to her lips-"coming, Rich
ard! Bring him-I am dying-tell
him-I am dying-I-Louise-dying!
Nanon! Nanon!"
II am soldier he said, Sworn
in my country's defense. My life be-
longs to my country--not to myself
No one would give me permission to
go on such an errand. And if I were
captured | should die as the spy dies''
"Richard-you and I-are-in Gods
presence"
yes; in the presence of God!"
Would lie-oh, would lie-
pow?"
NO.
"Kneel here-I shall tell you-nowl
] swear in His presence-I have loved
no man in life-but you-but you'll"
"Hush!" he whispered, chilled. and
shocked, seeking to release his hand,
believe, oh, believe mol"
II cannot"
"Believe!"
II caE.ot-I would If"
"Believe-believe me-Richard." Her
hands tore feebly at slender chain
that had slipped down into her bos-
ON, and drew little locket into view.
He recognized it.
II believe you," he said. gently, at
length. And he did; he had never
doubted it in his heart.
at is the last prayer of the wom-
an-who in all these years-of suf-
fering -shame-has loved you Go
to him! He will come-my child's
hfe-save the child for--her mothers
sake! Let me see her!"
The soldier had faced every danger
Of the battlefield without q trsmos.