Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-06-07

uOlle Will. vi COuESS that was oi lhos
was necessary.
When she knew that he was engaged
heart and soul in the cause Of the Rev
olution she would be ready to yield
him anything.
So musing the light hearted gentle
man galloped along. The intervening
distance was soon passed over. and
Talbot found himself entering the ia
miliar stretch Of woodland which
marked the beginning of the colonels
estate. Under the trees and beneath
the high bank Of the river the shadows
deepened. Scarcely any light from the
moon fell on the road. 1t was we'll
therefore that our cavalier drew rein
and somewhat checked the pace of his
horse. advancing with some caution
over the familiar yet unseen road. for
Just us he came opposite the land end
of the pier which led out to the boat
house the animal stopped with such
suddenness that less practiced rider
would have suffered severe fall. The
horse snorted and trembled in terror
and began rearing and backing away
from the spot. Looking down in the
darkness. Talbot could barely discern
a dark. bulky object lying in the road.
Here. Dick" he called to the groom.
who had stopped and reined in his own
horse. apparently as terrified as the
other, a few PAGES back Of his master,
md tossing his bride rein toward him.
take my horse while / see what stop
ped him."
Lightly leaping to the ground and
stepping up to the object before him.
he bent down and laid his hand upon
it, and then started back in surprise
and horror. It's a man" he exclaim-
ed Dead, yet warm still. Who can
it be-" The moonlight fell upon the
pebbly beach Of the river little far
ther out. Overcoming his reluctance,
he half lifted. half carried the body
out where the light would fall upon
its face. This face, which was un-
known to him, was that of Il desperate
looking ruiIian. who was dressed in L
soled and tattered uniform. the coat
Of which was red. The mans hand
tightly clasped a discharged pistol.
He had been shot in the breast. for
where his coat had fallen open might
be seen Il dirk red stain about rag
ced hole in his soiled gray Shirt. The
bullet had been fired at short range,
too, for there were powder marks all
about his breast. Talbot noticed these
things rapidly, his mind working quick
ly.
"Oh. Mars Hil'ry - wha-wha's de
mattah? kyant hol' desc hosses.
Dey'se sumfin wrong, sho'ly, broke in
the groom. his teeth chattcring with
terror.
Quiet. man. Don't make so much
noise. This is the dead body OF Il man,
a soldier. He has been shot too. Take
the horses back beyond the old tree on
the little bend there. Tie them secure
" and come back here quickly. Make
no noise. Briug the pistols from your
holsters
AS the man turned to obey him Tai
bot glanced about in perpleXity. and his
ewes fell upon Il small sloop rapidly
disappearing down the river under full
sail in the fresh breeze which had
sprung up. She was too far away now
to make out any details In the moon
light, but the sight was somewhat un-
usual and alarming, he scarcely knew
why. -,
Il got dem tied safe, Mars Hirry"
called out the voice Of the boy from
the road.
"All right, Dick. We will leave this
one here and try to find out what's
wrong. You follow me and keep the
pistols ready"
Eyes. mars';I got dem." The man
was brave enough In the presence Of
open danger. 1t was only the spiritual
he feared.
They had scarcely gone ten PAGES
farther toward the path when at the
foot of it they stumbled over another
body.
Here is another one. What does 1t
mean? See who 1t is, Dick"
The groom. mastering his instructive
aversion, bent down obediently and,
lifting the face, peered into 1t. 1t was
lighter here. and he recognized 1t at
once.
Hits Mars Blodgett, de Runners
old sojuh man. Him got bullet hole
in de fohaid. sub. Him daid man
sholy. an heah Is his gun by his ham,
he said In an awestruck whisper.
"Blodgett. Heavens! 1t can't be-"
"Yes, sub: it's him, an dere's anOder
one ober dab. See subj" He laid his
hand upon another body IN the same
uniform as the first one. This man
groaiicd slightly.
'Dls ones not daid yet" said Dick
excitetlly. He been hit Ober de haid,
his face all bloody. Oh. Mars Hirry
dem raidrhr you done tell me bout
been heal. ,A:,rs' Blodgett done shot
dat one by dc riber OH de waf an den
hit dis one wid his musket, an den dey
done shoot Mars Rlodgett. Oh. Mars
lIil'ry. les get out OBJ heah."
Talbot saw it all now--the slow and
stealthy approach Of the boat from the
little sloop out in the river ut had dis
appeared round the bend, he nOticed),
Blodgett's quiet watch at the foot OF
the path, the approach Of the men
Blodgett's challenge, the nrst one shot