STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
I should think it must have been the devil tempting Lieutenant Leigh, orhe would never have done as he did; for, as he looked at Miss Ross, thechange that came over him was quite startling. He could read all thatwas passing in her heart; there was no need for her to lay her hand uponhis arm, and point with the other out of the window, as in a voice thatI didn't know for hers, she said: "Will you leave those two brave menthere to die, Lieutenant Leigh?"
He didn't answer for a moment, but seemed to be struggling with himself;then, speaking as huskily as she did, he said: "Send away that girl!"and before I could go to her--for I should have done it, then, I know--and whisper a few words of hope, poor Lizzy went out, mourning for HarryLant, wringing her hands; and I stood at my post, a sentry by mycommander's orders, so that it was no spying on my part if I heard whatfollowed.
I believe Lieutenant Leigh fancied he was speaking in an undertone, whenhe led Miss Ross away to a corner, and spoke to her; but this wasperhaps the most exciting moment in his life, and his voice rose inspite of himself, so that I heard all; while she, poor thing, I believeforgot all about my presence; and, as a sentry--a machine almost--placedthere, what right had I to speak?
"Will you leave him?" said Miss Ross again. "Will you not try to savehim?"
Lieutenant Leigh did not answer for a bit, for he was making his plans,and I felt quite staggered as I saw through them.
"You see how he is placed: what can I do?" said Lieutenant Leigh. "If Igo, it is the signal for firing. You see the gunners waiting. And whyshould I risk the lives of my men, and my own, to save him?--He is asoldier, and it is the fortune of war: he must die."
"Are you a man, or a coward?" said Miss Ross angrily.
"No coward," he said fiercely; "but a poor slighted man, whom you havewronged, jilted, and ill-used; and now you come to me to save yourlover's life--to give mine for it. You have robbed me of all that ispleasant between you; and now you ask more. Is it just?"
"Lieutenant Leigh, you are speaking madly. How can you be so unjust?"she cried, holding tightly by his arm, for he was turning away, while Ifelt mad with him for torturing the poor girl, when it was decided thatthe attempt was to be made.
"I am not unjust," he said. "The hazard is too great; and what should Igain if I succeeded? Pshaw! Why, if he were saved, it would be at theexpense of my own life."
"I would die to save him!" she said hoarsely.
"I know it, Elsie; but you would not give a loving word to save me. Youwould send me out to my death without compunction--without a care; andyet you know how I have loved you."
"You--you loved me; and yet stand and see my heart torn--see me sufferlike this?" cried Miss Ross, and there was something half-wild in herlooks as she spoke.
"Love you!" he cried; "yes, you know how I have loved you--"
His voice sank here; but he was talking in her ear excitedly, sayingwords that made her shrink from him up to the wall, and look at him asif he were some object of the greatest disgust.
"You can choose," he said bitterly, as he saw her action; and he turnedaway from her.
The next moment she was bending down before him, holding up her hands asif in prayer.
"Promise me," he said, "and I will do it."
"Oh, some other way--some other way!" she cried piteously, her face alldrawn the while.
"As you will," he said coldly.
"But think--oh, think! You cannot expect it of me. Have mercy! Oh,what am I saying?"
"Saying!" he cried, catching her hands in his, and speaking excitedlyand fast--"saying things that are sending him to his death! What do Ioffer you? Love, devotion, all that man can give. He would, if askednow, give up all for his life; and yet you, who profess to love him sodearly, refuse to make that sacrifice for his sake! You cannot lovehim. If he could hear now, he would implore you to do it. Think. Irisk all. Most likely, my life will be given for his; perhaps we shallboth fall. But you refuse. Enough: I must go; I cannot stay. Thereare many lives here under my charge; they must not be neglected for thesake of one. As I said before, it is the fortune of war; and, poorfellow, he has but a quarter of an hour or so to live, unless helpcomes."
"Unless help comes," groaned Miss Ross frantically, when, as LieutenantLeigh reached the door, watching me over his shoulder the while, MissRoss went down on her knees, stretched out her hands towards whereCaptain Dyer was bound to the gun, and then she rose, cold, and hard,and stern, and turned to Lieutenant Leigh, holding out her hand. "Ipromise," she said hoarsely.
"On your oath, before God?" he exclaimed joyfully, as he caught her inhis arms.
"As God is my judge," she faltered with her eyes upturned; and then, ashe held her to his breast, kissing her passionately, she shivered andshuddered, and, as he released her, sank in a heap on the floor.
"Smith," cried Lieutenant Leigh; "right face--forward!" and as I passedMiss Ross, I heard her sob in a tone I shall never forget: "O Lawrence,Lawrence!" and then a groan rose from her breast, and I heard no more.