The hearts of two of the party were wrung1 as never before. Wade2 Ruggles and Felix Brush saw with noonday clearness the dreadful mistake they had made in the past in hoping to win the heart of the maiden3 who had declared that if her beloved was to die she would die with him. It was contrary to nature and the laws of God, and it was characteristic of each that he felt a thrill of gratitude4 over the belief that no person suspected his secret. Both would have died rather than allow it ever to become known.
With this awakening5 came a transformation6 of feeling toward the couple. They sympathized with Lieutenant7 Russell, but more than all, they pitied her whose soul was distraught with grief. They had never before seen her in the agony of distress8 and neither could stand it.
“Brush,” whispered Ruggles, “this must stop.”
“Hold!” called Brush in a loud voice, striding commandingly forward with his arm upraised; “I have something to say!”
There was a majesty9 and an impressiveness of mien10 like that of the Hebrew prophet who hushed the tempest. Captain Dawson, without moving body or limb, turned and glared at the intruder; Ruggles kept his position; Nellie Dawson, with arms still clasping the neck of her betrothed11, looked over her shoulder at her old friend; Lieutenant Russell reached up so as to hold the wrists of the girl, while still retaining his grip upon his rifle and fixed12 his eyes upon the tall, gaunt figure that halted between him and Captain Dawson and a little to one side of him.
“Lieutenant Frederic Russell, do you love Nellie Dawson?” was the astounding13 question that fell from the lips of Brush.
“Aye, more than my life,” was the prompt response.
“And you have started for Sacramento with the purpose of making her your wife?”
“That was my resolve with the help of heaven.”
“And, Nellie, you agreed to this?”
“Yes, yes; we shall not be parted in life or death.”
“Such being your feelings,” continued Felix Brush, in the same loud, clear tones, “I pronounce you man and wife, and whom God hath joined together let not man put asunder14!”
It was a thunderclap. No one moved or spoke15 for a full minute. Felix Brush was the only one who seemed to retain command of his senses. Stepping forward, 317 with a strange smile on his seamed countenance16, he extended his hand to the groom17.
“Allow me to congratulate you, lieutenant; and, Nellie, I don’t think you will deny me my fee.”
With which he bent18 over and tenderly kissed her.
“O, Mr. Brush, are we really married?” she asked in a faint, wild voice.
“As legally as if it were done by the archbishop of Canterbury and if––”
But he got no further, for her arms were transferred from the neck of her husband to those of the parson, whom she smothered19 with her caresses20.
“Bless your heart! You are the nicest, best, sweetest, loveliest man that ever lived,––excepting Fred and father––”
“And me,” added Wade Ruggles, stepping forward.
“Yes, and you, you great big angel,” she replied, bestowing21 an equally warm embrace upon him.
The two rugged22 fellows had won the greatest victory that can be achieved by man, for they had conquered themselves. When the great light broke in upon their consciousness, each resolved to let the dead past bury its dead and to face the future like the manly23 heroes they were.
And no braver deed ever was done.
Poor Captain Dawson! For a time he believed he............