Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-12-27
CHAPTER XIV


army, and then as a spy for both sides,
equally Indifferent which he served so
long as he vas well paid by both. In
CHS double capacity he saw Helene in
Richmond, knew of Col. Adams shooting
by Henri Sainton and observed Capt
Demons escape. He also found his way
into the field hospital where both Demon
and Walker Glaydes were lying wound
ed.
AS his main purpose in life was to Sc
cure possession of Helene in order TO
put her ont of the way, he conceived the
plan Of getting q letter from Demon
which would induce Helene to trust her
self TO him. AS n Federal spy be had
no difficulty in securing an interview
with the wounded officer, and by first
telling him that Helene bad sent him
and artfully playing on his longings to
see the woman be loved. he induced De
non to give him the following letter:
Dear Miss tenure owe my life
TO you, and next TO you to poor Jack,
who lies sorely wounded in the hospital
near me. The doctors doubt that he will
recover. 1 send this note by a friend
7npon whose devotion you may implicitly
rely. What would | not give or 90 to be
able to see you again? Would that you
could be here to see poor Jackl A sight
of your face might save his life a. D."
Having received this note QiIayle re-
turned TO Richmond and gave it 10 Henri
TO hand TO Helene. That young lady,
after having been informed by Sue of the
meeting between Walter and Demon, nat
urally became very anxious as to what
had become of them. In one way or an
other the rumor spread and came TO her
ears that they had fought a duel TO the
death on her account.
The rest of the week passed without
further news. Adams was recovering
but slowly, and required unceasing atten-
ton. Henri called twice with letters
from Captain Warner for the colonel,
and Helene twice saw him standing in
the hallway without recognizing him,
and, In fact, without bothering to look
ar him.
During the previous year Henri had
avoided as much as possible immediate
contact with either his colonel or with
Helene. Adams had seen him only once
in Paris, and Henri's appearance had
been much changed by his broader and
burher figure, and by the Vandyke beard
and the heavy mustache.
few days more passed, and the
Thursday of the following week Henri
again brought a letter from Captain
Warner for Col Adams. On this occa-
zion Helene saw the young Frenchman
cross the garden in front of the house.
and went to the porch to take the letter
from him.
She knew not what it was, whether
the tone Of the voice, when Henri said:
Good morning mademoiselle. Letter
for Col. Adams" or a stray thought of
her past life, or the seemingly savage
CLEAN in the soldiers eyes, but she look
ed at the young man more closely.
As she did so a fash of recognition
snot through her mind, and gripped her
with a feyerish contagion. That soldier
had Henri's fierce look, when Henri was
reused to passion!
She said THANK you and took the
letter, and in doing so looked at the man
again and turned pale Surely" she
said, quite involuntarily and unknowing-
", in French this time, you are not
Henri Sainton7"
Surely" replied the yoraS man. also
In French, and qaite unmoved, Il am
Henri Sainton."
Helene gripped the banister of the
stairs.
who would have thought of seeing
you hereT' she exclaimed, continuing the
conversation IL French.
You did not expect it, of course" re-
torted Henri, in the same language. at
is long way from the galleys of Tou-
lon to Virginia and now 1 suppose as
you have recognized me, you will betray
me to Col. Adams, as you betrayed me
before and sent ne to slavery
Helene W. silent. Then she held out
her hand, and said, in tones of tender
ness nearly, Forgive me. if l can be
forgiven. | was a child merely. and knew
not what | was doing. How you must
hate mel"
Il did hate you" was Henri's Kissed
reply. Il hated you for years with the
bitterest hate a man can feel for a worn-
an, and now, l dare say, you will give
me further cause"
81 will not" Helene answered. "I am
sorry to have brought trouble upon Won
years ago. l will bring no more. All!
those were happy days in Paris. when
old Father Tenure was alive, and we
were children, both of us"
IF l could trust you now" said t1enri
81 might tell you something you would
like to know, and give you something
you would like 10 have. But what assur
ance have that, If do place the means
OF betraying me in your hands again, you
will not Immediately take it
You have something to give me I
would like to have2 WHAT was
Helene's demand.
"A letter from Captain Demon"
She had been cold and hot by turns
before. but now Helene felt her color
leaving her altogether.
"A letter from Captain Denonp' she
cried. Give it TO me! You can trust
me with your hfer'
Helene read and reread Demons lines
until she knew every word by heart.
How came you, Southern soldier TO
bring me this letterT she asked at last
In French.
Il thought you would ask that cues.
ton" replied Henri But in what way
does il concern you? You have the let
ter. Surely that is sufficient for Won
Why don't YOU inform the colonel and
have done with it, That Is Just the sort
of gratitude l should expect from You"
Helene opened her eyes and looked at
Henri. Here was mantle Kind of
man she had longed TO meet--a man who
would speak his mind 20 her. and tell her
of her faults. Henri did not love her
that was certain. She. on her side. re-
membered her girlish fancy. like Il remi-
.niscence Of a foolish dream. Vain wish.
Henri most likely hated her. vet even the
brusQuerie OF his address was relief.
A thought flashed into her mind. grim.
humorous, as she thought, and entranc-
ing. She would tame this Wild bear; she
would cut his claws and draw his teeth.
and make hinim dance at her apron
strings as the others had done In the
midst of her troubles she could not help
smiling at the idea.
"Gou are right. Henri she said, beam
ms her brightest. Il hare no right u
ask. l am satisfied. and | viii not be-
tray you. But. tell me. are you the
friend whom Captain Demon mentioned.
upon whose devotion l might implicitly
rely z" This, with a bewitchinc glanee
D !. ,.