Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-25

tone Of Scorn that ill became one whO had only that morning been tempted by the British colonel's silver tongue.
 Reused at last to the necessity of grasping this chance of escape by her congratulations, he turned for one last embrace, one final word of good by, then plunged into the denser shadows of the woods beyond.
 Jane stood listening to the crush ing of the brush under his feet: then her quick ears caught sound that sent her to her knees, half fainting. half praying. It was shout of triunph; the shout of hunters who had come upon their prey.
 A shot rang out; another, and an other. Then she distinguished Bes- semer's voice. "Is he dead? An, no, l see; mere scalp wound that has knocked him sense1ess. We'll, let him lie there urtil we can fit moose to finish him witb."
 Again there was the crunching of twigs under several feet. and she could distinguish in the faint light dark forms moving between the trees. She rose slowly, dazed]y. Bes- semer, in advance, saw her and waved those behind him back.
 Pardon me, I wish few words alone with-Lieut. Ellery."
 The sinister pause before the title told Jane that he was not deceived as to her identity. He was deter mined, however, to deceive his com
 
 novice in barrack, mess and camp fire gossip: be knew well the mor- sels soldiers love to roll beneath their tongues. and he had no desire that this girls name should be srnirched, as it would be if the lengths to which she had gone to save Worthington's life that night were known. His brides protection moved him to this course, if nothing else. He had paid her marked atten- tion; had openly courted her brother for her sake; had made no secret of his wooing. To have the name of a woman he had thus honored linked unsavorily with that of another man was galling.
 ''It were pity, madam" he said, DSDWCCu HIS tCFttIS lOI NOuI sake, not to mention your own, that your discretion does not keep pace with your determination. Your mad actions tonight have placed your relatives in position that is, to say the least, unenviable.'
 If he had expected her to be crushed by these cutting words, he reckoned little of Jane's spirit. "A state of affairs, sir,' she answered promptly, flor which you, and you alone, are responsible. Had you paid heed to my supplications--had you not persisted in your determina- tion to murder Capt. Worthington in this cold-blooded manner| would not have been driven to this extrem ity to save the life of one who was my childhood's friend and to save your soul from black infamy."
 Bessemer was dumbfounded. He had looked for tears, entreaties, pro- testations, perhaps some ma1denly confusion over her discovery in male attire-though, indeed, the cloak, which the heavy dews and chilly at mosphere of the early morning hours in the southern climate lent excuse for did much to conceal the mans uniform.
 It was well for Jane that her voice, relieved now of its. lisp and it's as- sumed depth, was sweet. and that so much of her face as could be seen was beautiful: else Bessemer might , have been irritated beyond the bounds of courtesy by her effrontery. Madam" he said, you speak with your accustomed emphasis; but you will perceive that your clever plot has been foiled. My good captain was not so stupid but that he thought best to communicate with me before accepting too unquestioningly the order which he supposed had been sent him through Lieut.. Ellery. In truth, you have aped your brother Edward so well in looks, though not in conduct, that I do not wonder he was deceived; but as the next act in our little drama might be narrowing 1 to your feelings, I will, with your 1 permission, escort you from the scene after l have given orders that the execution proceed"
 Jane thought rapidly. There was one last throw in the game left her and she might even make it and yet not win; or, winning, at what sacri- fee! But as long as this last chance remained could she refuse to take it? 1 "Col. Bessemer." she said, some hours since you made me the offer to exchange Capt. Worthington's life for my promise to be your wife. If ! that offer was made in good faith, J ] will-accept it.
 A stony expression settled upon Bessemer's face: his eyes looked ct her coldly. Arden+ly had he wooed this young woman less than two hours since: but that was before she lad JeopaTdized her reputation by going to wild lengths to save another mans life. On the other hand. his pulses throbbed at every infection of her voice, at every display of her proud spirit, her naughty temper. To have all this youthfu5ness, wilful- ness. iOyeIincss f1r. his Narv own +o