The Irish standard., 1903-10-31

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-to-appall me-"
"And is your interest, then, SO
great in this rebel?"
"NIy 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 prs-
oner, but that you should contem-
plate hanging man 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! l 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.
"You speak with most surprising
ardor, madam" Bessemer remarked,
his face black with passion, "but
permit me to advise you that 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 manner 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 We're but outlaws. brutal
desperadoes, wearing the kings uni
form as a cloak and shield.'
II fear. dear lady, the pnrtialty
which you have for the enemies Of
your king has somewhat dimmed the
clcarness of your Judgment. How
ever, I feel that I owe myself most
severe censure for the cruel wound
which I have so unintentionally in
fictcd 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.
| rs woman's heart never to be
swayed save by love?" Jane asked.
Can she never plead for justice with
out having her motives impugned?
If L have spoken in behalf of Capt.
Worthington, if I have besought you
not to put into execution your cruel
threat, I am i1npelled by motives of
common humanity"
rs this true, Jane?" Bessemer
cried eagerly. "Is it so that you do
not love him? Do you pledge me
your honor on it?''
Jane drew back. "Pledge you my
honor? No. If my simple word be
not enough, where would I find the
honor to pledge?"
Besse1ner, torn betwixt rapture and
uncertainty, searched her face with
jealous eyes. Surely, 'twere too fair
Il face to be aught but honest. "Ah,
my ever ready-tongucd Jane" he
said, you little know the weight
| your words have lifted from my
breast. This one rebel have l feared
! had more cause to dread than all
the rebels in all the armies on this
continent combined"
Then that explains your severity
tonight. [ can we'll understand that
one might be inclined to deal harsh-
ly with person one feared; but
since this poor Worthington is so
humbly placed that to fear him would
be to bclittle yourself, surely mercy
is easy"
Again did Bessemer regard her sus-
piciously. can artful plea" he OBJ
served, yet am not so sure that this
rebel is not still to be feared; though,
could l have the safeguard of your
love, l would fear nothing earthly. |
would dwell too near Heaven for
that. Come, Jane, you who can be SO
tcnderly considerate of others, sure
ly will not keep me longer in sus-
pcnsc. Tell me that you will an
swer yes to the request 1 made this
morning?"
Dear colonel" replied Jane, "the
man 1 marry must be humane as
well as brave. Your bravery, none
questions; your humanity, it remains
for you to prove"
"Ah, madam" he returned, sit is
we'll known that happiness is the
great propagation of virtue. Grant
me the happiness I seek, and you
will find that my humanity will bios.
som in it's sunshine. TO clinch the
argument, give me this hand and
that young rebel shall not die at to-
morrow's sunrise" He took her hand
as he spoke and pressed it to his
heart, but Jane withdrew it quickly
Surely" she observed coldly, "Col
T}essemer needs no bride to spur him
to an act of justice, and if he did, he
will remember that virtue is it's OWE
reward" ...
: "Ah, but virtue is not the reward
seek" he retorted flippnntly, while
his brow contracted with irritation
"unless, indeed, dear lady, you tipify
yourself as virtue. But truce tt
fencing; let US to the question. Il
it bargain, or is it not? rs this
young man to be reprieved through
your sweet offices, or is he to hang
at sunrise?'
Jane turned upon him angrily
"And do you suppose, sir" she de