The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08

Moore, so Travis was informed, was from the far south-an Alabamian, in fact. She had been orphan for several years, and was residing with an old friend of her fathers at Twin Oaks near Merrilrs home.
 When Merrill introduced the two, the young girl accepted the introduction pleasantly, as if interested to know the stranger merely as a friend of Kenniths. On the other hand, Travis seemed un- usually upset at the introduction. His features strangely moved as he spoke to her, and evidently it was only after inward struggle that he maintained his self-possession.
 Merrill noted these manifestations, but construed them a token of admiration on the part of his friend for his iancee. He left them to speak with the girls foster-father. When he returned, he found his sweetheart of a few moments ago sobbing in the arms of his myste- rous friend.
 The blow, so sudden and so, unexpected, completely dazed the young man. He stood contemplating the scene before him in manner almost sub conscious Then as it's deadly significance dawned upon him, he saw his happiness, his trust in mankind and his faith in woman dashed to destruction with one cruel blow His heart was almost crushed with pain and sorrow, but he stood viewing the faithlessness before him. his feelings changed. The look of anguish departed. and was replaced with one of deadly hate. Affection, passion and all the no- ble' emotions of the human breast were numbed. Anger deep deadly anger and thirst for revenge fired his inmost soul. For the girl he felt no resentment, but all affection for her irreparably smothered; but for the serpent. who, ac- ceptlng the warmth of his hospitality. had thrust it's poisonous venom into his bosom, he entertained desire for ven- geance that knew no mortal bounds
 Leas.ng the two unconscious of the fact that he had seen them. he strode Wl-h 8 Hfm step Into an auJolnlnB room and hastily wrtoe two letters One was to his erstwhile friend, offering no ex- planation, but informing him that his trunk would be sent to the station that evening, and that the servant bearing the note would drive him to the train.
 The other, to his fiancee, told her what he had seen, forgave her completely. but expressed desire never to see her again. E.
 These letters written, Merrill rode along to his home and locked himself il his room, refusing audience to anyone. Word came to him that Travis demanded to be allowed to make an explanation, but Merrill refused. Two notes came in the course of the evening from his for mer fancee, Mary Moore. The first he sent back unopened. Upon the envelope of the second the girl had written a line imploring him in the name of her love to read the note enclosed. Merrill tossed it unopened into the fire M fN.sts
 Three days later he left home, joined the Confederate array, enlisting in the corps of Gen Stonewall Jackson On be- ing assigned lo4a regiment of recruits, he recognized in his leutenant-R Richard Travis. The sight of the man who had wrecked his life, and the knowledge that he had to follow him as leader, famed the smouldering wrath of the young man into veritable fury
 On the field facing the grape shot of the enemy, oh the long, weary marches when both body and soul seemed worn to the quick with unbearable wear mess, at night in his tent when he threw his bruised limbs upon his bunk for rest, the one thought that filled his nlind the one object that actuated his being, was revenge He seemed to taste its deli- cious coolness when his throat, hot and dry with his exertons. almost cracked with his breathing. He dreamed of its fulfillment at night, and it soothed his weared body into restful sleep It was his one goal, his life, his very soul.
 And then night his chance came. While picket duty he discovered in the tent of the captain of the regiment