The Washington times., 1894-12-30

ting up his glass when the dali boom OF
cannon in the extreme western limit OF the
horizon attracted his attention. BY the still
cleaning sky he could see long gray line
stealing up from thevailey from the distant
rear of the headquarters to join the main
column. They we're the missing supports!
His heart leaped! He held the key Of the
mystery now. The one Imperfect detail OF
the enemy's plan was before him. The sup
ports coming later from the west had seen
only the second signal from the window
when Miss Faulkner had replaced the vase
and had avoided his position. 1t was inn
possible to limit the effect OF this biundert II
reached the division commander with his
message IN time, he might be forewarned.
and even profit by 1t.
His own position would be less precarious,
as the enemy already engaged in front would
be unable to recover their position in the rear
aud correct the blunder. The bulk OF their
column bad already streamed past him. II
defeated there was always the danger that it
might be rolled back upon him-but he con-
jectured that the division commander would
attempt to prevent the junction OF the sup
ports with the main column by breaking
between them, crowding them from the ridge
and joining him. AS the last stragglers of
the rear guard swept by Brant's bugles were
already recalling the skirmishers. He re-
doubled his pickets and resolved to wait and
watch.
But there was the more painful duty of
looking after the wounded and dead. The
larger rooms ofthe headquarters had already
been used as a hospital. Passing from cot to
cot, recognizing in the faces now drawn with
agony or staring in vacant uneonsciousness
the features that he had seen only few hours
before flushed with enthusiasm and excite
ment, something of his old doubling, ques-
tioning nature returned. Was there no way
but this? How far was he--moving among
them unscathed and uniniured-responsible
And if not he-who then? HIS mind went
back bitterly to the old DAYS of the con-
spiracy-to the in option of that struggle
which was bearlg such ghastly fruit. He
thought OF his wiIo until he felt his checks
tlngle, and he was fain to avert his eyes from
those of his PROSTATE comrades, in strange
fear that with the cairyoyance OF dying men
they should read his secret.
IL was past midnight when, without lun-
dressing, he threw himself upon his bed in
the little convent-like cell to snatch few
moments of sleep. Its spotless, peaceful walls
and draperieS affected him strangely, as II he
had brought into its immaculate serenity the
sanguine strain OF war. He was awakened
suddenly from deep slumber by an tndefi-
mite sense OF alarm. His first thought was
that he had been summoned to repel an at
tack. He sat up and listened Everything
was silent, except the measured tread OF the
sentry on the gravel walk below. But the
door was open. He sprang to his feet and
slipped into the gallery In time to see the
tall figure OF a woman glide before the last
moonlit window at its furthest end He could
not see her face; but the characteristic tur-
baned head OF the negro race was plainly
visible.
He did not care to follow her or even alarm
the guard. II it were the spy or one OF her
emissaries, she was powetless now TO do
any harm, and under his late orders and the
rigorous vigilance Of bis sentInels she
could not leave the lines-or. indeed, the
house. She probably knew this as
well as he did; it was, therefore, no
doubt only an accidental intrusion
of one OF the servants. He re-entered
the room and stood for few moments by the
window, looking over the nooniit ridge The
sounds OF distant cannon had long since
ceased Wide awake and refreshed by the
keen morning air. which alone of all created
things seemed to have shaken the burden of
the dreadful yesterday from its dewy wings,
he turned away and Lit a candle on the table.