The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1906-06-29

semer's voice. lis he dead? All, no.
! see, mere scalp wound that has
knocked him scnselcss. Well. let him
lie there until we can fit a moose TO
finish him with"
Again there was the crunching Of
twigs under several feet. and she
could distinguish in the faint light
dark forms moving between the
trees. She rose slowly, dnledly. Bees
semer. in advance. saw her and waved
those behind him back
Pardon me. | wish few words
alone Lieut. Ellery"
The sinister pause before the title
told Jane that he was not deceived
MS 10 her identity lie was deter.
mined. however, 10 deceive his com.
pnhions II he could He was no
novice in hnrrnck. mess and camp.
lire gossip he knew well the NOR
sells soldiers love 10 ron beneath
their tongues. and he had no desire
that this girls name should be
smirched, Ms il would be II the
lengths 10 which she had gone 20
save Worthingion's life that night
we're known. His pride's protection
moved him TO this course. II nothing
else. lie had paid her marked atten.
ton, had openly courted her brother
for her sake bad made no secret 81
his wooiug. To have the name - a
woman ho had thus hnnored linked
au5@ofilf with thsi Of another man
was CALLING.
III were pity, madam" he said,
between his teeth. 7for your fnmily's
sake, not 20 mention your own. that
your discretion does not keep pace
with your determination Your mad
actions Tonight have placed your
rclotivrs IN position that is, to say
the least. unehyiable."
II he had expected her 10 be
crushrd hy these cutting words, he
reckoucd little Of James spirit ~
sSate 81 affairs. sir she answered
promptly Tor which you, and you
alone. are responsible. Had you
paid heed 90 my supplicntions- had
you no, persisted in Your determine
ton 20 murder Capt. Worthington in
this coid-blo0dcd' manner would
not have been driven TO this extrem-
itu 10 save the life Of one who was
my childhood's friend and 20 save
your soul from black infnmy"
Bcsscmcr was dumbfounded He
had looked for tears, cntreaties, pro-
testations, perhaps some maidcnly
confusion over her discovery in male
attire though. indeed. the elosk,
which the heavy dews and chilly at.
mosphere Of the early morning hours
in the southern climate lent excuse
for did much 90 conceal the mans
uniform.
II was well for Jane that her voice,
relieved now Of It's lisp and its as.
sumed depth, was sweet. and that so
much OF her face as could be seen
was bcautiful; else Besscmcr might
have been irritatcd beyond the
bounds Of courtesy by her enrontery.
MADAM" he said, you speak with
your accustomed emphasis; but you
will perceive rihat your clever plot
has been foilcd, My good captain
was not So stupid but that he thought
best 10 communicate with me before
accepting too unquestioninply the
order which he supposed had been
sent him through Lieut Fllery. In
truth. you have aped your brother
Edward So well in looks. though not
in conduct that do not wonder he
was deceived: but MS the next act in
our little drama might be narrowing
10 your feelings, win, with your
permission. escort you from the
scene after have given orders that
the execution proceed
Jane thought rapidly. There was
one last throw in the game left her
and she might even make il and vet
not win; or. winning, at what sacri-
iieci But ms. long as this last chance
remained could she refuse TO take itp
Col Bcsscmer." she said. some
hours since YOU made me the offer
TO exchange Capt Worthington's life
for my promise 10 be your wife. II
that offer was made in good faith, |
will accept It,"
A stony expression settled upon
Bessemcr's fncc; his eyes looked at
her coldly Ardently had he wooed
this young woman less than two
honrs since; but that was before she
had jcopardized her reputation by
going to wild lengths TO save another
mans life. On the other hand. HIS
pulses throbbed at every infection of
her voice, at every display of her
proud spirit. her naughty temper.
70 have all this youthfuness. wilful-
ness, loneliness for his very own, 10
bend that naughty viii TO his-the
thought MAS fascinating.
81 am waiting sir" The girls eyes
looked at him with cold surprise.
Apparently Miss Ellery was aston
ished that the bargain she offered
should not be more eagerly accept
ed.
Bessemer noted this with some
~ - A.AstAAsvl with pleasure too.
II pleased him that she seemed To
+ lls'4i'-s - -aaa s@rtian-tha .sha-had dome
aught which could make her less ac-
ceptable In his eyes. Had She turned
to him as a suppliant, he would have
scorned her; but she came us pur.
/ chaser WIN oilered A nrica ,vhich ehe