The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-03-19
[CoNTINUED.1


in the road. The region which had so
suddenly been enlivcned relapsed into
the quiet of the country.
Jaqueline begged me to go into the
house. l declined. Mr.. Stanforth add
ed his invitation.
THANK you, Mr.. Stanforth, but l
must rejoin my regiment at once. This
is no time for me to be absent"
"You shall come in long enough to
drink one glass of wine to show that
you are our friend" | saw that he
would be not only hurt, but, with his
strong southern impulse, angered II l
refused, and reluctantly consented to
spare a few minutes to pledge my for
mer host.
l entered the house supporting Jack
and was turning into the library.
where l had passed my time while
wounded, when Jack guided me into
the parlor opposite, Helen left us and
went into the library. Lib came In
bearing decanter and glasses. l
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. | had drained
my glass and, setting 1t down, was
about to go 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. His forehead was bound with a
handkerchief, he walked with difficult
ty and 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 landscape
distinct in all it's details, so | saw again
the events of the night of the massa
Gre There were the flashing shotguns,
the soldiers coming down the hill, a
figure with garments streaming In the
wind running to me for protection.
And now before me stood the man with
the smoking pistol. lnvoluntarily put
my hand to my revolver.
81 am your prisoner. sir" he said
quickly. "You do not need your weap-
on"
Helcn's eyes flashed. "Would you
shoot an unarmed man"
Jack, mute with terror staggered to
the gray clad figure and chung to 1t,
her expressive eyes bent on me, min
gled flame of reproach and wrath.
My hand rested on my holster. l
moved not, spoke not. but stood star
ing at the group that stared mt 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.
81 was wounded" said the officer,
"at Fort Donelson and was brought
here to my fathers house. | am unable
to endure the fatigue of flight; there
fore am compelled to surrender"
Captain Stanforth. | have been
hunting for you for months"
"MeY"
"You."
"What for?"
A hush came over all. as If about to
listen to n sentence Of death.
'"To kill you"
There was brief murmur among
those looking on, then they stood
breathless, waiting for the next scene
in what promised to be n tragedy.
Only Helen knew what my words
meant. | saw spasmodic culver pass
over her as had seen death touch n
comrade who had been shot in battle.
Then. gathering her forces, she stood
still, her face denoting the smothered
fires Of volcano.
MAY ask, SIR" said the officer, pale
but calm, why you desire my death"
'The wrong, the brutal wrong you
did"
barism should have come to me at this
critical moment when of all others |
should have shown gentlcness and
magnanimlty. Here was an opportunl-
ty to make a graceful acknowledge
ment Of Helen Stanforth's service and
sacrifice, perhaps to heal the breach
between u.s. threw it away. My
abandoned purpose was rekindlcd-l
was craZed by Helen's treatment. |
drew my revolver and brought 1t to
bear on my unarmed enemy.
"Cowardw cried Helen.
l turned to her scornfully. "Who
babe me pursue this man to the bitter
end"
a."
"Who promised to aid meT
a."
"Who now begs for her brothers life
ut the hands of southern renegade"
81? Never" She sprang between
me and her brother. "Flre!'
She stood glarlng 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 n bljphtp1 frost ncroSS a land