The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1903-10-22

those dispatches, be they written or
verbal, which you were conveying
from Gen. Gates to. Col. Sumter. On
those terms alone will Z spare your
life; indeed. it is piece of clemency
in which 1 am scare warranted"
"Col. Bessemer's reputation for
mercy is world renowned. His quar-
ter hath become a household word.
Of like fame are the honorable terms
he ever offers those who have that
which he would wish to purchase.
IT'S strange so few honest men take
advantage of such magnanimity."
The knocking bow matched the
mocking words. Z Bessemer's fury
came near choking him. Jane half
started forward, as though she
would save the reckless American
from his own mad folly-then
checked herself.
Enough. Sergeant, take him to
the house by the back way. Have
him securely locked in some upper
room and well guarded until I can
find time to deal with him. Dear
lady," he added, turning to Jane with
softened tone, as the soldiers obeyed
his orders, II most humbly crave
your pardon for this unseemly in
terruption. Let US dismiss it from
our minds and take up our discourse
where it was so rudely broken"
May" Jane answered in a low
tone, her face pale, her eyes trou-
bled, FIRST tell me that you did not
mean your threat to hang Capt,
Worthington if he does not give you
the information you desire, II thing
he will never. do if he possess any.
l am sure, however, you do not mean
to hang him. 1t was but a ruse, was
it not, to induce him to speak-a
mere bit of play?"
"A bit of play, madam, which will
cost Capt. Worthington his neck. He
is a troublesome fellow whom I
have long wished to be rid of; a pesti-
ferrous gadfy, ever buzzing around
and annoying Il troops. Besides,
he is a c~old-blooded murderer, well
deserving of his fate. Nay, he shall
hang by the side of his fellow-knave,
and soon, at that"
"Oh, you cannot mean it," Jane
cried. Surely, surely you are only
saying it to-tc-appall me-"
"And is your interest, then, SO
great in this rebel?"
MY interest is great in anyone
who is the subject of injustice. 1t
is enough that you should hang that
poor old gentleman who to-day had
the misfortune to become your pris-
oner, but that you should contem-
plate hanging ma whom you
have sent out your scouts, your spies,
to hound down, and who has not
even an discriminating paper upon
his person, that is passing all
bounds! I cannot believe that
the king would approve of having his
cause sullied by such acts" She
spoke with fervor, carried beyond the
point of discretion.
"1ou speak with most surprising
ardor, madam" Bessemer remarked,
his face black with passion, "but
permit me to advise you hat his mai
esty the king wisely leaves such mat
tiers to the judgment of his trusted
officers, well understanding that an
INSCRIPTIONS foe must be dealt with
in a tanner BETTING the method of
his warfare"
interruptions foe as YOU may term
Them" Jane answered, 81 have vet
to learn when the American forces
have ever treated an honorable pris-
oner of war in SO summary manner.
The three tories whom they hung
were not, as you well know, real sol
diers. They were but outlaws, brutal
desperadoes, wearing the kings uni
form as a cloak and a shield"
Il fear, dear lady, the partially
which you have for the enemies of
your king has somewhat dimmed the
clearness of your Judgment. How
ever, l feel that I owe myself most
severe censure for the cruel wound
which 1 have SO unintentionaily in
t1icted upon you. Had I sooner real
lied how deeply you are in love with
this young Worthington, I should
have taken pains to have kept from
you the punishment which I feel it
my duty to mete out to him."
is q wo1nan's heart never to be
swayed a V by love?" Jane asked.
Can she never plead for Justice with
out having her motives impugned?
r If l have spoken in behalf of Capt.
Worthington, if I have besought YOU
, not to put into execution your cruel
threat, l am impelled by motives of
common humanity"
| us this true. Jane?" Besseme1
, cried eagerly. rs it so that YOU do
not love him? Do you pledge me
your honor on it?"
{ Jane drew back. "Pledge YOU nv
honor? No. If my simple word be
not enough. where would 1 find the
/ honor to pledge?"
l Bessemer, torn betwixt rapture and
uncertainty, searched her face with
jealous eyes. Surely, 'twere too fail
a face to be aught but honest. "Ah
y my ever ready-tongued Jane" he
said, you little know the weight
your words have lifted from nv
breast. This one rebel have I feared
= L had more cause to dread than al
the rebels in all the armies on this
continent combined"
e Then that explains your severity
tonight. l can we'll understand that