Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-09-26
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CHAPTER XIII.
CONTINUED.

I am not living man "a you are; 1
am dead, save for the little spark that
lights me to my purpose. You do not
understand me; you can not, you
have not suffered enough 90 realize
my meaning
"ral You are unreasonable.
"Am I2 So 1 avn. IL is we'll that
7 am. If were reasonable / could F
no. 10 what is 90 be done Behind F.
me - desert, scorchcd aud black .
ened way. life made OF cinder by .
Kirk MacColiough. Reasonable, rca- t
sonablei To kill him is the only rea- .
sonable thing"
Burns's words fell UPON NJ. Yer
mons ears with strange power. IL
was not the crazed old preacher 8 pur-
pose that struck with most terrible
effect Ii was what lay beyond even
the most perfect contamination OF re-
venge. There seemed little proba-
b;liiy. indeed. that Burns could ever
do harm 20 the man he was trying 90
follow, but what he might do with
the mere breath OF his frenzied lips
was incomparably dreadful TO think 81.
Strange It is that, although Mr..
Vernon had not the slightest assur-
ancc OF the safety OF his wife and
daughter from even the most horrible
consequences that could come out OF
their captivity, he felt their danger
from that source far less than what
would befall them were his past to bc
made known to them. somehow, so
long as he had Jackson's army with
hun he could not lose the hope that all
would be well, SO far as retaking his
loved ones was concerned.
This was bat matter OF fight. But
the otheri That was not Go be fought
back. once il should find the way 90
reach them. He felt that Burns. IN
his monomania, was likely at any mo-
ment 90 make an end OF all this beau
tilal. precious dream of happiness.
Happiness? Ali He had been
happy-no man happier now,
what was coming? Where were his
wife aud daughter? He felt his brain
swim and wavcr.
Suddenly he grasped Burns's arm.
again with all his giant strength.
Tell me right here aud now hs
muitorcd huskily, "tell me: Are you
going 60 betray me2 are You going &,
disclose the secret OF my life? Spoal
o.
81 wall not speak. save 20 shout fo
help. while you assault me like this,
said Burns.
Forgive me. ] forgot.
Nr Vernon took of his hands from
the old mans arms as he spoke
.'But YOU can see how terrible
would be- Think of my wife an
daughterm
Think OF Margaret But-but-t
be SIRE, YOU never harmed her, and
owe lay life 10 you and yours. sai
Burns. He stood a moment i
silence, aud then added.
Your secret is safe with me s.
loug as you do not interfere with
with my purpose To actomplis
that | would, If / could, destro
heaven and earth and all that is ]
them. I tell You that Kirk MacCo
Tough shall not live"
His tone was solemniy awful. NJ
Vernon felt helpless before hin
They stood there in silence after IN,
until, suddenly, a light flashed fort
from the house where General Jacl
son had his headquarters.
''Gcntlemen, it is time TO be up,
they heard the gruT commander e.
claim, as If 70 awaken his sleepiI
a.an. the redcoats will be upon I
before we are ready, If we don't ste
spry. Come, come, gentlemen, IA
outt'
Immediately there was stir az
hustle ia the house. Lights shown
the. windows aud the clicking
latches and the opening of doors 10
how promptly the officers respond
10 tho call OF their leader. A nome
LATER Jackson himself came forth, f,
lowed by the enthusiastic but slice
aides, who were bUckling on the
.side-arms.
''Ah. Mr.. Vernon, Is that yous"
demanded, as he came near the Z
old men. "How goes everythiu
Anv stir among the redcoats?"
NOS yet" replied Mr.. VernC
''save that they seem to be maki
ready for an advance"
Lett come; we are ready. "
is this you have with you?"
The general peered askance at Bur
through the fog and dust.
at is a friend of NINE" said
Vernon. without Offering further
PRODUCTION.
The members of Jackson's 81
were coming around him for Orde
which he began giving with his us
swift and clear understanding of W
the moment called for. Meanti
Burns managed TO disappear.
CHAPTER XIV.
ESOs PEEvY's RIFLE-PRACTIcE.