San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-01-17

in lower grumbling, venting spleen at
his own reproof upon his inferior.
"All right! Search away" Evan re-
sponded, with loud laugh, as the girl
stepped back without word only one
quick motion of her hand to her lips.
And, noting it, the boy swiftly carried
his hand to his mouth, as though to
stop his laugh. With a dash upon him,
the sergeant had his wrist in iron grip,
forcing down the tightly-clinched hand
and struggling to open it. But ere the
long, powerful New Highlander could do
this, only to find it empty-Evan's
jaws had worked rapidly, and he gave
great gulp, as the officer cried:
Choke him, sergeant"
For what?" the reb answered, de-
family, springing back. you've made
me swallow my tobacco now; and Oh,
Lord! I'm getting sick!''
With a sudden lurch forward, he
leaned heavily on the officer, almost
tumbling him into the arms of the agile
sergeant.
Lean up, damn your growled the
provost marshall volunteer commits
sion by recent grace, but a politician by
descent, profession, and lifelong prac-
tice.
There was apparent agony of nausea
upon the boys face; but had the light
been stronger the captors might have
caught a CLEAN of merry devil in the
eyes he dropped quickly as the volun-
teer again grumbled
"Um! the old spy's trick. Search him,
sergeant! Do you hear?"
Without word of protest, Evan sub
mitted to thorough search by the lean
old sergeant, regular with chevrons
for service, which yet could not keep
his lips quite steady, as he finished his
task and reported, handing over his
treasures:
''One letter, two passes, sir; one pipe,
one hoOf-pick, one buckle, one piece of
Irvine" And the veterans hand went
from his cap to his side, as the major
nervously grasped the enumerated
captures.
''Major!" The clear call from the
little statue at the fire wheeled the
provost marshal like top: and he ad-
vanced eagerly, saluting with the hand
that held his prizes.
stop that farce" the general con-
tinued dryly. 'If that fellow is really
a spy, he made way with his proofs on
capture. These are decoys only"
Il think, general, he swallowed''-
the provost blurted out-adding, very
quickly, "his tobacco"
The keen blue eyes shot only one
glance at the speaker, now eagerly
scanning the papers by light of the fire.
''He did? I'm! send him to my tent"
Eyes, general. Win you examine
these?"
mo, sir. Send him to me- This
shortly, as the young leader took the
papers carelessly and turned into the
small, dingy tent beyond the blaze.
Seating himself on a campstool, he
merely glanced at the papers, by the
pale CLEAN of lantern. They were a
scrawled letter from a soldier, a far
rier's receipt, and a weeks liberty,
signed by the captain of B troop, but
without date. He pitched them on the
rough camp table with contemptuous
gesture, muttering:
"Decoys-if she be a spy! Curse these
mustangs Politics hobble the service,
no end"
A shadow in the tent door raised the
generals eyes, as Miss Clay entered,
erect and calm, followed by Evan, lean
ing on the sergeant. {.
Keenly the cavalry leader scanned
the pair, his eyes passing from the girl
after quick inventory of her points"
to Fauntleroy, then quickly back to
her.
do you know, sir, that can hang
you at daylight?' He shot the question
at Evan like bullet.
Eyes, sir-or shoot me tonight" the
boy answered, quietly. But l do not
think you will"
"You are a spy"
'He is not" Miss Clay's voice rang
out clear and defiant. "He is a con-
federate soldier, and in uniform. He is
a prisoner of war"
"And are you also?" The young gen.
eral rose gracefully as he addressed the
lady, instinctively Strengthening his
saber and brushing back his damp curls,
with half-boyish air of foppery, as he
tossed his hat on the table.
Miss Clay's eyes met her questioner's
steadily, but with unmistakable de-
fance, as she answered:
Il am not, sir. | am a non-com-
Blatant, a Virginia lady on her way to
her aunt's home, arrested and dragged
here without cause or excuse for the
outraged You doubtless could hang US
both to-mnrrow-or now. if it suits your