The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-15


much for her Her head fell on his shoul-
der, and for moment she lost con-
sciousnessy Ratigan took her off Der feet,
and lifting her into the ambulance laid
her on the cushions.
"Oi'll ride at the foot" he said to
the others. lone of ye lead me horse "
When they came to the place where
each had successively emerged from the
camp through which Ratigan had fol-
lowed her before daylight, they found
the road lined with soldiers, whose curl
osity brought them there to see the
woman who had succeeded in breaking
through whole chain of guards. They
had all heard of the exploit and crowd
ed around the ambulance as it passed,
but were kept away by the guards in at
tendance, who dropped back to the sides
and rear, This prevented any further
conversation between Ratigan and Miss
Baggs, except an occasional whisper,
but the corporal managed to keep her
hand in his under blanket, unobserved.
At last the ambulance pulled up before
the headquarters of the division whose
camp they had entered, and Ratigan
suddenly became conscious of the fact
that he must turn his prisoner over to
others, doubtless to be dealt with sum-
marily. for no well knew the case would
naturally receive prompt attention.
An officer with captains shoulder
straps came out from headquarters and
surveyed the ambulance He was
dapper little fellow, fat and red faced
"Who've you got therei" he asked of
Ratigan.
"A lady, SIR"
"The woman who ran the guards last
night?"
"Oi captured her on the road below.
Him. The guard duty of this divi.
sion is in fine condition when wom-
an can run whole chain of sentinels.
Get her ont of that
'"She's badly hurt, captain" said
Ratigal,, who had stepped down ON to
the ground and saluted
II can alight," said Miss Baggs
feebly. And getting as best she could
to the door of the ambulance Ratigan
helped her out She looked faint, but
stood by the aid of the corporal's arm.
''Take her in to the general. :" said the
little captain. ''He wants to see her. |"
AS the tent was an ordinary wall
tent, there was no great room in it,
Miss Baggs went inside, while the cor
poral stood directly outside, with his
hand on the tent pole.
II must have you searched, said the
general to the prisoner. Then he added,
somewhat hesitatingly, ''It's rather
awkward not having woman in camp. :"
II will relieve you Of the necessity, :"
said the prisoner, with dignity, and put
ting her hand into her pocket she drew
forth bundle of papers. which she
handed to him.
"What are these?'. asked the surpris-
cd commander.
COPIES of intercepted kilograms.
The general uttered an exclamation,
and taking the papers ran them over
with his eye
He looked up ut the woman, who,
save for the pallor occasioned by her
fall from the collapsed buggy, stood ap-
parently unmoved. There was admira-
tion in the eye of the man who gazed at
her. He was astonished at the GOODNESS
with which she handed him documents
that would warrant his hanging her to
tree without moments delay, and
above all there was about her a divine
consciousness of having done duty, n
look of triumph under defeat, that COM
pelled his reverence as we'll as his ad-
miration.
''Are you aware" he said, that
with these dispatches in your posses
sion, and beyond our lines, you would
hold this army at your mercy!"
II am.'
"And that captured with them on
your person your life is forfeited?''
Certainly.
There are people who cannot brook a
steady stand in ono who may be natu-
rally expected TO break down in their
presence. The general was one Of these.
In proportion as he admired her firm
ness was his desire TO force her TO show
some giving way. He did not analyze
his feelings and attribute his desire 20
any such cause. Heyielded 20 it without
realizing that the cause existed
1.-The natural method of procedure
in this case, )" he said, looking at her
sternly, ''is for me to report your cap
ture and the circumstances attending i.
to headquarters. Word comes back
try you by 'drumhead' court Eartia
and hang you to tomorrow morning
"Well?"
"Well, that is the end Of the story 2
There was silence for a few moments
while they regarded each other.
lit is not the end Of the story, gen
eral. The story of a life has no end
Death is but q transition. Itpleases tn
Great Commander to assign me fruil
less task II is not for NE to ask VIII
am but one of his soldiers, fightir
with my brothers for my people. "
She had conquered. There was some
thing 80 forcible in her words, some.
thing so truly grand in her manner,
that the man who would break her
spirit desisted. He regarded her admir-
ingly and wus silent.
-.