I should think it must have been the devil tempting Lieutenant Leigh, or
he would never have done as he did; for, as he looked at Miss Ross, the
change that came over him was quite startling. He could read all that
was passing in her heart; there was no need for her to lay her hand upon
his arm, and point with the other out of the window, as in a voice that
I didn't know for hers she said,--
"Will you leave those two brave men there to die, Lieutenant Leigh?"
He didn't answer for a moment, but seemed to be straggling 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 Harry Lant, wringing her hands; and I stood at my
post, a sentry by my commander's orders, so that it was no spying on my
part if I heard what followed.
I believe Lieutenant Leigh fancied he was speaking in an undertone when
he led Miss Ross away to a corner and spoke to her; but this was perhaps
the most exciting moment in his life, and his voice rose in spite of
himself, so that I heard all; while she, poor thing, I believe, forgot
all about my presence; and, as a sentry--a machine almost--placed there,
what right had I to speak?
"Will you leave him?" said Miss Ross again. "Will you not try to save
him?"
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
I go, it is the signal for firing. You see the gunners waiting. And
why should I risk the lives of my men, and my own, to save him? He is a
soldier, and it is the fortune of war; he must die."
"Are you a man, or a cur?" said Miss Ross then, angrily.
"No coward," he said fiercely; "but a poor slighted man, whom you have
wronged, jilted, and ill-used; and now you come to me to save your
lover's life--to give mine for it. You have robbed me of all that is
pleasant 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 I
felt mad with him for torturing the poor girl, when it was decided that
the attempt was to be made.
"I am not unjust," he said. "The hazard is too great. And what should
I gain if I succeeded? Pshaw! Why, if he were saved, it would be at
the expense 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. You
would send me out to my death without compunction--without a care; and
yet you know how I have loved you."
"You--you loved me, and yet stand and see my heart torn--see me suffer
like, this!" cried Miss Ross, and there was something half wild in her
looks 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, saying
words that made her shrink from him up to the wall, and look at him as
if he were some object of the greatest disgust.
"You can choose," he said bitterly, as he saw her action; and he turned
away from her.
The next moment she was on her knees before him, holding up her hands as
if in prayer.
"Promise me," he said, "and I will do it."
"O, some other way--some other way!" she cried piteously, her face all
drawn the while.
"As you will," he said coldly.
"But think--O, think! You cannot expect it of me. Have mercy! O, what
am I saying?"
"Saying!" he cried, catching her hands in his, and speaking excitedly
and fast; "saying things that are sending him to his death. What do I
offer you? Love, devotion, all that man can give. He would, if asked
now, give up all for his life; and yet you, who profess to love him so
dearly, refuse to make that sacrifice for his sake! You cannot love
him. If he could hear now, he would implore you to do it. Think. I
risk all; most likely my life will be given for his; perhaps we shall
both fall. But you refuse. Enough; I must go; I cannot stay. There
are many lives here under my charge; they must not be neglected for the
sake of one. As I said before, it is the fortune of war; and, poor
fellow, he has but a quarter of an hour or so to live, unless help
comes."
"Unless help comes!" groaned Miss Ross frantically, when, as Lieutenant
Leigh reached the door, watching me over his shoulder the while, Miss
Ross went down on her knees, stretched out her hands towards where
Captain Dyer was bound to the gun, and then she rose, cold and hard and
stern, and turned to Lieutenant Leigh, holding out her hand. "I
promise," she said hoarsely.
"On your oath, before God?" he exclaimed joyfully, as he caught her in
his arms.
"As God is my judge," she faltered with her eyes upturned; and then, as
he held her to his breast, kissing her passionately, she shivered and
shuddered, and, as he released her, sank in a heap on the floor.
"Smith," cried Lieutenant Leigh, "right face--forward!" And as I passed
Miss Ross, I heard her sob, in a tone I shall never forget, "O,
Lawrence, Lawrence!" and then a groan tore from her breast, and I heard
no more.
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