Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-08-27


black eyes shonc intensely.
ooh. sir, she exclaimed. "save my
soldier He said that you might and
she sank in chair by my side weeping
and moaning and wringing her fragile
hands III a manner most pitiable to be
bold.
"But, my dear madam Icxpostula
ted sternly, ''this won't do at all. If you
wish my aid you mist be calm aud SEN
sible. Tell me who you are, who your
soldier is, and what you want"
My severity succeeded as intended it
should. She was a stout hearted little
thing, and she gulped down her s6bs,
aud in moment sat upright and tran
quill.
81 beg your pardon" she said gently,
and felt like brute MY name is
Mary Graeme, and-and I'm engaged to
Thomas Browne He's my soldier, You
know; and he's in the camp over in New
Jersey"
"Thomas Browne" Ohl 1 remem-
bered. "Yes, my dear, replied. A fine
looking young fellow, with bright, blue
eyes, think"
"Oh, such bonny eyes, so tender, so
true! And they speak his nature, be-
lieve me- know him so we'll; we were
little children together. He has been
placed under arrest, sir, and is to be
tried before the court-martial now in
session"
"For what o.Teuse2"
Gle was sentry, sir, and was found
asleep on his post"
Phew! Here was a pretty mess in.
deed for the young recruit.
'My dear child, responded gravely,
this is a most serious matter. Asleep on
his port of duty in the face of the en-
envy! Why, it may cost him his life
And at the very time, too, when there
has been n revolt in the camp and the
court feels the necessity of stern ex-
ample"
AS l spoke the poor child waverei
like a rare pale lily in storm. But she
remembered my warning, though her
eyes streamed and her hands strained in
their grasp.
ooh, sir, but he isn't guilty, the poor
boy. Think how tired he was. Up the
whole night; ordered on duty again the
moment he was relieved. 1t was in
human. No wonder he doze1 without
knowing it,"
but"
"Oh, SIT, know what you would
say 1t couldn't be. But it was. The
Orderly Sergeant has always hate him.
Ga tie day before he had ordered Tom
excuse me, sir, Thomas when he was
off duty to clean the equipments of an
other soldier, which Thomas refused to
do"
"He WAS perfectly right there"
$50 Thomas says. Besides he was
expecting to see me. But that night
when he cine off his post, oh, so tirei,
the Sergeant ordered him right on again
to take the place of the soldier whose
arms he wouldn't clean"
aft this is SO, no court will punish
him for falling asleep"
''I'm so delighted That's what Thorn
as said he knew you would say. Bat he
didn't mean to-oh, no, indeed. He's 50
ashamed; whsn he has beeu so anxious
to distin yush himself for me-" And
here blush deepenel through poor
Mary's cheeks.
''He shalt have the chance, never fear,
But why didn't you go to his Captain?
Does he know these facts2'
Again Mary blushed and far less tran
silently. Her fingers picked her dress
uneasily.
Captain Johnson she faltered.
she doesn't like Tom; he-he-ikes
me-"
sob ho." Here wa, a little dran,.
l recalled the Captains repulsive face
aud sullen ways, aud | recognized the
villains part.
Besides" she continued, "the Or
derby is his brother-in law"
"And he tells far different story, l
suspect"
"Indeed, yes; there is no hope for
Thomas from either of them"
"Well, my dear, save your tears ani
keep stout heart. like your
soldier, and l like you. believe tn,
story and you shall have my aid. Bat
be cautious and secret. The court is
now in session, you say2"
"Yss, sir; all this week. But Thorn
ass case was only reached this afternoon
lust before adjournment.
"Theu Unjust act at once. Goodbye
now; you may rely on.me." And with
a God bless you, which it seems as if
could feel even now, the girl withdrew.
Yet with a SUI ldeu inspiration l called
after her, 'what is the name of the sol
dier whose place Thomas took"
"Joseph BraIt. -
Here surely was difficult situation.
The Sergeant hostile, the Captain vim
dictive, what hope CLEANED for Mary's
soldier2 lev followed the inspiration
The proof, ii [ oaly could get the proof!
1t existed, unless cunning had destroyed
it. Again l ar'ayed myself in full tiy.
Again hlstelel over the ferry to the
camp. l sought the Sergeant's tent and
found HIN within and alone "Too
stupid to be provident,' was my mental
glance. Sergeant, your detail book,
at once" | commanded The man stare
aud gaped, and then h1uded it to me
without word.
| went to a retired spot. I turned
the pages with trembling fingers. All,
fate had favored me. There was the
record for the night in question, and
among the reliefs didn't find the nl ne
of Thomas Browne, but did find that
of Joseph Brsnt.
Then l visited the Judge Advocate,
friend of niue. fine fellow, now a
Supreme Court Judge of this State.
"What sort of man is Captain John
son9' | asked
Ny friend shrugged his broad Shout
ders.
"Hum!' he replied "WIth all there
is back of him he ought 10 get the single
star in six months
"Infueuce, heyl"
"Great. But why do you asklr
"You needn't go any further, old fell
low; your scruples reveal more than they
conceal. But to change the subject. l
am going to put hypothetical case to
you, and | want you to tell me Just how
you would act regarding it." Aud de
tailed the facts of Msry's soldiers
troubles, using, of course, assumed
names.
]