The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-12-21
Copyright oy A l MeClurg A Co.
Entered m stais'ner's Hall. London

My God, how can you ask? How
can you even face me? Why do you
not sink down in shame? Alone
darkness-"at such an hour, in com
pany with a Rebel, sneaking cow
ar1ly spy, already condemned to be
shot BY Heaven! he shall never live
TO boast of it,"
He flung up his revolver barrel to
prove the truth Of his threat, but sne
stepped directly between us, and
shielded me with her form.
Put down your pistol" she ordered
coldly. 81 assure you my reputation
is In no immediate danger unless you
shoot me, and your bullet shall GER
tainly find my heart before 1t ever
reaches Captain Wayne"
Truly, you must indeed love him.
he sneered.
so close to me was she standing
that could feel her form tremble at
this insult, yet her voice remained
emotionless.
Your uncalled-for words shame
me, not my actions. In being here
with Captain Wayne tonight am
merely paying a simple debt Of honor
"a double debt, indeed considering
that he was condemned to death by
your lie, while you deceived me by
another"
Did he tell you that?"
He did not. Like the true gentle
man he has ever shown himself to be,
he endeayored to disguise the facts,
to withhold from me all knowledge
OF your dastardly action. | know it
by the Infamous sentence pronounced
against him and by your falsehood to
me-"
Edith, you mistake" he urged anx-
iously. IL was told that he had
been sent North"
She drew a deep breath, as though
she could scarcely grasp the full au-
dacity OF his pretence to ignorance.
You appeared to be fully informed
but now as TO his death sentence"
Yes, heard of It while away, and
intended telling you as soon as
reached our quarters"
could feel the scorn of his miser-
able deception as It curled her lip,
and her figure seemed to straighten
between US.
Then" she said slowly, you will
doubtless agree that | have done no
more than was right, and will there
fore permit him this chance of escape
from 90 unmertted a tatei for you
know as we'll as | do that he has been
wrongly condemned"
He stepped forward with a half
smothered oath, and rested one hand
heavily upon her shoulder
Il rather guess not madam" he
said. Damn him! I will hang him
now higher than Haman, just to show
Queen Esther that II can be done. Out
of the way, madam"
Rendered desperate by her slight
resistance and his own jealous hatred,
he thrust the woman aside so rudely
that she fell forward upon one knee
His revolver was yet in his right
hand. cleaning in the starlight, but
before he could raise or fire 1t | had
grasped the steel barrel firmly, and
the hammer came down noiselssly
upon the flesh OF my thumb. The next
instant We were locked close together
in fierce struggle for the mastery. He
was the heavier, stronger man; | the
younger and quicker. From the first
every effort on both sides was put
forth solely to gain command OF the
weapon-his to fire, mine TO prevent
for ! knew well at the sound of the
discharge there would come a rush o
blue-coats to his rescue. My frs
fierce onset had put him on the de
fensive, but as we tugged and strained
his superiority in weight began to tell
til all the weight OF my body resteC
upon my right leg. Then there oc
Cured to me like a fash a wrestler
trick taught me years before by al
old negro on my fathers plantation
Instantly / appeared TO yield to thu
force against which contended Will
simulated weakness, sinking lowe
and lower, until, doubt not, Brennan
felt convinced must go over back
ward. But as | thus sank, my lef
foot found steady support farthe
back, while my free hand sank slow
ly down his straining body until m.
cropping fingers grasped firmly the
broad belt about his waist. yielde'
yet another inch, until he leaned 81
far over me as to be out OF all bal
aDce, and then, with sudden straight
ening OF my left leg, at the same tim
forcing my head beneath his chest Il
leverage, with one tremendous effor
| flung him, head under, crashin
down upon the hard road. Tremblin
like reed from the exertion, stoo,
there looking down upon the dar'
form lying huddled at my feet. II
rested motionless, and bent over
placing my hand upon his heart, hoI
rihed at the mere thought that h
might be dead. But the heart bea'
and with a prayer OF thannulnsss