The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-05-29

the firm file. Clear Quit Thar's jist one chance in
sixty that you'll git him heah in time
billiard stood facing his captor. His eyes blazed
on Rory's in a storm of natural Indignation but the
latter's gaze neither wavered nor sank. billiards
anger was nothing to him. The Generals wa because
1t would affect his promotion. That Canning would
be softened by billiards folly" never occurred to
him
You promised Lieutenant Mansfield. said billiard
that YOU would await General Canning's return"
Who counts promises made to Soothe a sick man.
said Rory contemptuously. Il didn't want him
frctted."
Something like the faint shadow of a hiss came
from the firing file, standing patiently waiting for
their task. Rory swung rapidly around. What was
that" he demanded sharply.
Il reckon it must have been one of them geese
III the backyard, Captain, - returned Joe Camp lazilv.
Rory drew out his watch. You have five min
utes for prayer" he said brusquely to his prisoner.
billiard made no reply. He stood there mutely,
but with hot rebellion in his heart against his closely
approaching fate. OF death itself he had little fear :
but he deeply resented the thought that Kate and
her husband should see him flung into a spy's grave.
As he waited there in his shirt sleeves, his hands
bound behind him, the breeze, playing at his open
collar. outlined the fine proportions of his broad chest.
\ difficult mark to miss, Rory thought to himself.
Perhaps the same idea was occurring to the cracker,
Joe Camp. for as billiard raised his eyes he found
the baCkwoodSnan regarding him critically.
Hes picking out a vital spot as coolly as he would
in the body of i bullock" billiard said to himself.
And then he found himself studying the faces of his
eXecutionerS in turn. observing in bitterness OF
heart how completely their touch of enthusiasm for
his action had died out.
The cavalier type of the South billiard knew well.
Generous. impulsive, frank-hearted to a fault, they
We're well represented in the man he had saved. But
these men were of colder cahber. 'NoHeSse OHiec "
did not bind them by unwritten laws. They were,
he thought. excellent puppets for Rory'S purposes,
who would shoot a Yankee with brutal Indifference.
Now that their .Adiutant was safe. they doubtless
regretted their momentary kindness toward Hilliard.
In the rugged outlines of their weather-beaten faces
there WAS not one lineament of mercy. One of them
WAS even biting pieces from a square of tobacco,
though this did not prevent his fixing billiard with
d long, deliberate stare.
A dogs death" thought the New-Yorker. and
dealt out as coldly as thew would to a dog. The one
touch of enthusiasm that they showed back there in
the woods was under the .Adjutant's influence
Rory closed his watch with 4 curt. ominous snap.
and came forward with a handkerchief in his
hand
billiards. cheeks flushed. Leave me at least the
privilege OF DIVING with nv ewes open. he said scorn-
fully, and with a shrug Rory thrust the bandagc into
his pocket.
As the rifles rose into a steady, mcnacing line Hill
liza: Is lips moved in 4 brief but earnest lppcal. God
have mercy upon me a sinner"
Then the roar and flame of the discharge seemed
to fill the universe. Rory. watching The wcll-poised
figure. thrilled with angry impatienCe when he found
that by one of those strange chances which sometimes
occur his captive still stood erect unframed.
billiard wondered At his own calmncss as the rifles
again settled in line with his chest. Behind the
triggers he could see the set and exprcssionlcsS faces
of the SoldieIs in gray Beyond these the whole
World seemed to SWIM IN a dim, yellow haze, and he