Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-11-12

BLIND. ALMOST. WITH RAGE, SOM
ERS RUSHED UPON HIS ENEMY.
room. Ills mother, cool and unffinch-
Ing, had sought him there, a mute
question upon her pale face. and he
had roughly, fercely ordered her
away. For, let justice be done him, he
had this time in his weakness executed
the dictates of a stronger will than his
own. He had not intended to be fair
with Louise; he had intended to desert
her again, and leave her to find her way
out OF Richmond as best she might, and
ne did not then intend to return; but
the murder was not part of his plan.
DE was unnerved and unfit for the
enterprise which now meant so much
Tor him. Arrayed in the worn uniform
OF federal prisoner, his papers and
pass safe within his beast-pocket. his
horse concealed in the garden, Ray
mond had been on the point of ventur-
ing forth when a sergeant reached the
house with an official communication
requiring an answer. The soldier
stood at the front door, and with
prompt decision the woman who left
the rear window hurried to that point.
"Quick!" she said; "run around to
the side gate and come to the wing
room. A Yankee spy is there. Kill
him IL he attempts to escape. A thou
sand dollars il you kill or capture him."
The soldier ran, cooking his gun as he
entered the side gate. The mother
went at once to her sons room. She
met William, who was bringing an an
swcr to the soldiers letter.
"Yss'm, he's in e. ROOM" he said.
The light in her sons room shons
through the tranxom. There was no
time to explain to Raymond. Know
ing his violent end excitsb'e nature,
and remembering his disguise, which
he might forget II there was an alarm
below, she noiselessly turned the key
In his door and glided on to her room.
But Raymond had left his room imme-
diately after handing William the note,
and was already approaching Frances
room below AS he passed the hall en-
trance, the door leading from the
apartment into the garden opened and
husband and wife entered. With a cry
, OF amazement he rushed into the room,
drawing his sword as he entered.
who are you, sir?-why are you In
this room?" he asked, angrily. Somers
drew his sword instantly and con-
fronted him. Holbin had paused and
was staring wildly.
"Richard Somersi"
"YesI" Somers gently put aside the
slender form which instantly inter
posed between him and the man he had
Iought. His eyes scanned the familiar
uniform of his old enemy in doubt.
Speak out, sir!"
spare your voice, Raymond Holbin
came with message for you. LOUISE
Is dying in my camp; 1 was unable to
resist her prayer. She implores you to
go to her TO right her wrongs, for heI
child's sake. Go, if you are a man, and
can; let this marriage take place; dc
something for the miserable woman
whom you have so deceived"
"She was not killed, thenl"
"She is dyingi" said Somers. shocked
and sickened at the matter-of- fact
question. did you suppose that she
was dead?"
"Yes. She insisted upon trying Il
run the gantlet." A light dawneG
upon Somers. A cry of horror escaped
him, and all the old enmity for the IN r
came rushing over him again.
| you encouraged her! You knew sh,
was going to her deathi You sent he,
under a false promise-her statement
Frances, Frances, out of this room
God has sent me TO avenge Louise
Madman, murderer, we settle many
debts to-day" Blind, almost, with hi.
rage, Somers rushed upon his enemy
Their swords FLASHED as, facing eacl
other, the two men circled about tn,
room. Then Holbin's sword wen
down. With incredible quickness h,
avoided the thrust which was almo st
part Of the disarmingt blow, rushed t,
the easement window, leaped into II
and burst open the blinds. His han,
thrust in his bosom quickly reached
backward; pistol flashed. At this in
slant the sergeant rushed int IL
room, saw the blue uniform escapin,
through the window, and the EXTENDED
pistol. He leveled his gun and fired
The man in the window reeled back ant
plunged headlong into the room.
at couldn't be helped, captain" sal,
the soldier, lowering his weapon. "Onc
outside he would have given us lon,
chase. Did he hit your" Well NIGH
he ask the question. Capt. Somers wa
deathly pale as he looked upon the bod,
Of his foe.
NO" he said, utterly at loss to un
derstand the situation. Frances, II
the moment of the tragedy, reelet
against the wall, sick and faint, but II,
instinct of a woman whose loved one 4
In danger instantly rallied her to he,
senses. She was the first to realize tn,
full significance CT the soldiers action
"You have saved our lives" she said
weakly; "any reward you may claim 4
yours The man was evidently spy.