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

cred her eyes again.
Brief as was the respite for Somers.
it was sufficient. Passing his arm
around her, he urged her out of the
room.
Three minutes - keep everybody
out for three minutes, and I am safe"
he whispered. White as ghost, but
brave, she took her stand at the foot
Of the stair and waited.
Somers returned and bent above the
hgurs of his enemy, his mind at work.
The reference by Louise to the dis
patches, the blue uniform, the horse
tied in the yard, the hour, and the
character of the man aroused a multi
tude OF suspicious. From the pocket
he drew a sealed packet and a folded
paper, the latter pass through the
lines There was no time for an ex-
animation of the package; the soldier,
leaning upon his gun, was waiting.
promotion for Somers was in sight;
but he had entered the room with an
avowal that he could not disregard.
Sergeant" he said, "take this to the
war department.; it will bring you pro-
motion, think. The honor is yours"
But, captain, it was you who really
Old the work. Were you after him?"
YES" said Somers, slowly, 'T was
eeoesa8 Ter the man and had reason to
suppose that he was on these premises.
1 came in to find him. He evidently en-
tered this room incorporation Go
at once, sergeant, and send an am
bulance. What family lives hereP" He
asked the question in support of his
character as a stranger.
capt. Holbin's, sirl He IL up
stairs"
Full of the Importance of his secret,
the soldier hurried away. Somers
passed through the hall and out
through the other door into the gar
den, lifting his hand towards Frances.
Steps were approaching the stairway;
she passed quickly to the outside and
found him waiting.
They will find him in the uniform of
his country's enemy" he said, land the
papers from his pockets will prove him
spy. am unknown. The soldier will
say that confederate officer pursued
the guilty man until he took refuge
here, and disappeared" The girl
stood mute and silent before him.
Farewell, Frances" he said.
Farewell, sir" He looked at hera
moment in doubt, and in silence left
her. When he glanced back over his
shoulder he saw her white form still
motionlesx under the tree. A horse
near him whickeIed inquiringly; hs
united him and rode out. Az he A.
preached the gate shrek reached him
from the wing-room, and turning no
sPurred back again. Frances was re-
entering the room.
"Waitl" he cried in agony-"waiti"
He threw himself from his horse and
was instantly at her side. Frances,
Frances, in it thus we part2 Think
what 1t meansl VIII you not give mo
one word?" She turned slowly and
YEARLY upon the step.
There is nothing to say but fare
WE'LL III L were a mother, and my son
came to me as an enemy of Virginia, I
should say the same to him."
You do not love me, then" he said,
bitterly; ''l>y- forgets, forgives every
thingi" She lifted her face, white with
an unspeakable suffering.
Father In Heaven, Thou knovest
my hearth Thou knowest how 1 have
atoned to my own people for him;
how for him l have ministered to my
enemies-Thou knowest, Thou know
estl And now" she said, sobbingly,
my heart breaks-I am weakl Will
you not go? A mother is in this
room with her deadi"
Tomorrow begins bloody strug-
gle; and 1 would wish to carry with
me into eternity, IL perish, one kis.
/ from the woman love-my wifei
VIII you refuse me that?" She COW
cred her face with her hands; then
suddenly she threw her arms about
him, her lips to his. He held her q
| moment, white and silent. Pushing
him from her, she turned to enter tho
house, but sank upon her knees, lean
ing her head against the door. Bend
ing over, he laid his lips in one long
kiss upon her curls, and in silence
left her.