Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-10-12

spy, he made way with his proofs on
capture. These are decoys only"
81 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. VIII You examine
these?''
NO, sir. Send hin 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 a lantern. They were a
scrawled letter from soldier, far
rier's receipt, and weeks liberty,
signed by the captain of troop, but
without date. He pitched them on the
gesture, muttering:
"Decoys-f she be 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 ( 90 not
think you WILL
You are a spy"
''He is not" Miss Clay's. voice rang
out clear and defiant. HE is a con-
fcderate soldier, and in uniform He is
q 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 qucstioner's
steadily, but with unnistakable de-
6ance, as she answered.:
Il am not, sir. l 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
outrage! You doubtless could hang us
both tO-morrow-or now, if it suits your
governments theories of war; but it's
articles protect this youth and release
me-"
The generals eyes again inventoried
the speaker with curiosity that had
some admiration mixed with it, but he
answered, calmly:
I'm! you seem familiar with the
articles of war. Did you study them at
your aunt's, or-in camp? What is your
name?"
Carrie Fauntleroy-my first cousin,
SIR" Evan broke in, quickly, his eye
the papers on the table, before
the girl could reply.
"Is that true?''
The federal general questioned the
man, but his gaze never left the face of
the woman turned defiantly upon him,
now suffused with glow of anger that
never deepened under his scrutiny.
My cousin is a Virginian, SIR" she
answered for him, as he had done for
her. I'VE are never ashamed of our
A quick glance sent her Evans thanks
that she had caught hts meaning-that
her own name was too well known
along the border to be risked in this
new peril. Whether the general caught
that glance or not, he seemed inn
pressed by its reflection in her eyes,
rom which his own had never swerved;
Tor, after brief pause, he asked, sud-
lenly:
AT what point, miss, did you hope to
each the river?'
If he expected start or flush for an |
answer, it was in vain. Carolyn Clay |
lad been in close places before, if not so |
,erilous as this; and she answered, as |
.almly and naturally as though declin-
ng an ice:
my aun: lives inland, sir; not on the |
liver"
A half smile he could not repress
!ickered an instant about the cavalry
eader's lips, quickly replaced by their
labitual sternness, as he retorted:
SIT is strange hour and strange
for you to be found in, miss.
70. am not doubling your statement
stopping her intent to speak by
shall ask proof for II.
dajor, question the guard who brought
hem in for point of capture and all do
ails. Send the guide to me, SIR"
no BIZ coEIUUE0l