Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-01-24

and markers taken in battle from the
enemy, aud loaned to decorate the
nsanctum" of the post commander.-
The flags were hung SO as to show
them "Union down." On the wall al
so hung captured sabres crossed, and
the cheerful fire from the hearth fash
ed and fickered upon the warlike dec
orations of the room. 55t!'-'a =
"Major T" spoke the clerk :,
"here is an officer who escaped with
that red western fox, Col. Straight
| think he has information which ought
to be known. Sol have brought him
to you" ~ s-9a a".. 's.'
The clerk related the conversation
before had, and the prisoner nodded
in affirmation of the points as they
ere repeated. The commandant
twitched about the mouth nervously
yoked his hands above his head, tip
ped back his chair with his boots be
fore the fire, and looked straight il
| the ayn of his man aa only he can looL
who is used to command.
3" Who is this woman ?" he began al
length, after having gauged and mea
sured the Major prisoner, who was in
deed fine type of western manhood
81 shall not answer your was the
emphatic response that left little hope
of anything further in that direction
can answer will save you trouble
sir. Save you from the sweat eel
and the dungeon" came curt and pos
tive from the commandant.
| cannot help that. So be it,
And Maj. Glover folded his arms, anc
stood as though prepared for the wors
Love made him strong, and the face
of her whose name he would not syl
liable came between him and the sterr
features of the commandant.
The commandant rocked back anC
forth before the fire, paused, tapping
the toe of his boot upon the floor un
til his spur jingled again.
Then you will not tell me?" h'
questioned of the prisoner before hin
tor the last time.
Nor spoken as firm as before.
The commandant turned in bis chai
and spoke to the messenger, Call th
corporal of the guard
The messenger was prompt to obey
and again upon the wintry air withou
rang the cry so often heard as to b
monotonous
Corporal of the guard, post Nc
one."
The jaunty corporal appeared ant
made his salute.
Send the turnkey to me" said th
0mmandanl, and with a retiring So
lutte the corporal was gone
The turnkey came, a man of mus
Gle, who looked as though he had bee
chosen to his position upon the singl
recommendation of strength.
Search the prisoner" said the con
mandant, exchanging a glance betwee
the turnkey and Maj. Glover. Th
latter turned pale as though som
dreadful thought had just flashed upo
mis- mind. His righo hand cIutche
tremblingly at something in his bosom
He staggers towards the fire; he will
draws his hand and hurls into th
bright flame a package just as th
turnkey and commandant rushed fol
ward to stay him. The envelope bI;
zes and is ashes in a moment, but il
contents-a carte de Uisite-is rescue
from the fiery jaws OF the flames.
was partly destroyed, but there remaiI
ed, though charred, the bust and fac
, of a human likeness-and that a VIZ
man 5.
Enough to start upon, Majo
Glover" said the commandant, e2
ultingly examining the remains Of th
carte. "This, in the hands Of som
of our Confederate Vidocqs will 500
bring the name"
mighty handsome, too," observe
the turnkey, peering over the shouI(
er of his superior. "I don't blam
: you, Major, for falling in love with
pretty woman, especially when sh
has done you the service you hi
, at"
Major Glover made no reply, br
he deplored bitterly in his ow
thoughts, his perhaps fatal omission t
: destroy the carte while it was yet
his power, before he came into tt
: prison. In spite Of himself his seer
, was out, and "Love's Labor Lost
Could he but get the carte within h
), own hands again he would complet
, its destruction at the risk of his life
but that was impossible, for the tur
key, ever on the alert, or divini1
his thoughts, warned the commandan
, and with a sinking heart Major Clio
er saw the priced object secure
locked away in the Office safe, to
placed in the hands of the detectiv,
I on the morrow.
: But where mans ingenuity end
there woman's will begin.
!.
E CHAPTER III. 5i t-
l. The publication in the newspape
= of +ba noxt ,Joxr of ~ r. - q NJ.