San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-26


Doubtless it is impossible at this time
to look back and understand with any
degree of realization the peculiar situa-
| ton in which Rose Fenwicke found her.
self when she had sufficiently recovered
from the evenings excitement to take a
somewhat calm view of what had trans
pired. In the seclusion of her chamber
she thought it all over, with the rapidly
growing impression that it was her duty
to go straightway to the headquarters
of the little American garrison and make
known to the commanding officer the
plot being arranged to betray the city.
But as often as she turned this in her
mind the connection of her father with
the reasonable affair startled her and
made any disclosure appear impossible.
She slept none that night. Indeed she
scarcely thought Of sleep. Her nerves
were wrought to high tension and her
whole nature was absorbed in the con-
sideration of plan for baking Maynard
and his allies. Strange that it should
have been nearly the last hour of the
night before thought, which might
(under less strain of excitemenD have
been suggested at once by Maynard's re-
mark, came upon her mind with almost
stunning suddenness.
The wounded man upon entering the
house had said that he had been hurt by
rebel officer. Why had she not thought
of Prescott? 1t was so plain now that
it was he who cut that cash. They
must have met in the street and fought
there. Instantly the dreadful question
arose, Was Lieut.. Prescott hurt? Then
she remembered that she had heard two
pistol shots ring out clear and keen
through the foggy night air. Her heart
stopped short for awhile, to presently leap
into her throat with almost sufocating
| throbs. With that swift and vivid readi-
ness common to young and imaginative
minds, her fancy pictured her lover lying
dead with upturned face in the moon
| light. A cold chill crept over her and
her limbs shook as with an ague. Loud
| and clear the cocks in the back court
crowed out the hour of dawn. She sprang
up, threw on her clothes and passed out
into the street As if by some unerring
| intuition she went directly to the spot
| where Prescott and Maynard had fought.
There were deep marks of the struggle
| in the sand, and some streaks and dashes
Of blood were visible in the gray chill
morning glimmer. She looked about,
her eyes scanning as best they could the
surrounding space; then came a great re-
lief-a sense Of escape from burden of
horrible dread. A drum rolled out the
morning call at the little American camp.
With but a moments hesitation she
went swiftly on in the direction of the
sound, and was soon face to face with the
sentinel in front of the officers quarters.
81 wish to see Gen. Howe" she said
abruptly.
The sentinel called the officer of the
guard, corporal, who came forward in
| a moment.
"Well, madam" he demanded, doffing
his well worn cap, "what is IL you wish?"
81 must see Gen. Howe"
"Sorry | am that he's not here, madam,
but he is not. He is at the Tatnall man
sion"
"Then could | see the next officer in
charger
"CoL. Huger is here, madam"
"Tell him have something important
Leaving ses in cher her with q sentinel the cor
poral turned about and walked away. In
a few minutes he came back and bidding
her follow led the way to small house
surrounded by tents. Col. Huger, who
had just risen and hastily dressed him
self, received her in a small, plainly fur
nished room which was we'll saturated
with the fumes of tobacco. He was very
polite and kind in his manner, but at
first did not RECOGNIZES her.
at is because l could not help it that
have come here" she hurriedly began.
There is plot to betray the city into
the enemy's hands. A fleet is already
on the way here from Sandy Hook, and
there is now in Savannah an emissary of
the British going about among the To
RES"
The colonel recognized her while she
was speaking, and the slightest shade OF
perplexity gathered on his eyes. She was
beautiful, land her embarrassment height
ened the effect of her face.
"You are Miss Fenwicke, | believe,
he said, with grave courtesy.
She nodded and the color slipped out
of her cheeks.
''How have you learned what you tell
meY' he inquired, fixing his eyes steadily
upon hers.