Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-23

your words have lifted from my breast. This cue rebel have feared I had mere eause te dread than all the rebels ia ali the armies an this continent eaaahihed."
 ''rhen that explains your severity tonight. I can we'll understand that one might be inclined to deal harsh ly with a person one feared, but since this poor Worthington Is so humbly placed that to fear him would be to belittle yourself, surely mercy is easy."
 Again did Bessener regard her sus- piciously ''An aFtful plea," he ob- served, yet aln not so sure that this rebel is not still to be feared; though, could I have the safeguard of your love, would fear nothing earthly. would dwell too near Heaven for that. Come, Jane, you who can be so tenderly censiderate of others, sure ly will not keep me longer in sus- pense Tell me that you will an swer 'yes' to the request I made this morning?"
 'Dear colonel" replied Jane, "the man | marry must be humane as
  questions, your humanity, if remains for you to prove." .es .%
 ''Ah, madam" he returned, 'ib Is we'll known that happiness Is the great propagator of virtue. Grant me the happiness I seek, and you will find that my humanity will blos- 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. Bessemer needs no bribe to spur him to an act of justice, and if he did, he will remember that virtue is it's own reward.'' .s
 s'Ah, but virtue is not the reward I seek,'' he retorted f1ippantly, while his brow contracted with irritation,@ ''unless, indeed, dear lady, you tipify yourself as virtue, But a truce to fencing; let LIS to the question. Is it bargain, or is it not? Is this young man to be reprieved through your sweet offices, or is he to lhang at sunrise?" Jane turned upon him angrily. "And do you suppose, sir" she de- !manded ''that I would give myself l to a man so cruel as even to think l of offering such bargain? Never. If marry you, it must be for what you are, not for what you offer. But" she added more adroitly, 'I re- | 1y upon Col. Bessemer's mercy" ~1 would, sweet pIeader," he ob served, that it were possible I could ! reconcile it with my duty to do aa l you wish; but, alas, feel that loyal Fty to my king will not admit of it l It Is matter of qualification to me l however, that, while your womanly 1 compassion may be wounded, you1 l deeper emotions will not be lacerate6 l when the rising of to-morrow's sur
 sees the setting of young Worthing | ton's."
 His piercing eyes were upon her l face, and Jane felt her composure l giving way beneath them, for at l length she perceived that he was in absolute earnest.
 At sunrfse?" she repeated in a
 choking voice, while her mind quick. ] ly calculated the shortness of the
 time. An, if she could but get a re
 prieve until tomorrow night, much
 might be accomplished during the in
 tervening day. "Methlnks, colonel, you choose a most inappropriate hour for so dark deed, The black
 CT hues of midnight would better ! match the color of the act"
 "A most wise suggestion, dear
 lady, Bessemer responded "What
 say you to this midnight?' He drew forth his watch. It showed some
 minutes past 12. Or, since that is
 impossible, the approaching hour of one? '1'is done. 1 shall see to it."
 ''No, mo-" she cried passionately;
 "surely, surely, Col. BessemeN you
 will not permit my thoughtless words
 to shorten the life of helpless be- 1 ing. Do not, oh, I beseeoh you by all
 you hold sacred. do not deprive him
 of those few remaining hours of 1 grace"
 "The hour. madam" Bessemer
 answered. his relentless eyes holding 1 hers. 'is r~1 Z
 (To Be Contnued.)