The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1896-08-13

made on you as long Us it was visible,
That much knew, that much the spy
had to tell me, for we both had to
guard that room in turns. wanted to
keep this dreadful thing off until-un-
till" her voice trembled-"until," she
added hurriedly, seeing his calm eyes
were reading her very soul, until i
went away, and for that purpose ] with
held some OF the letters that were given
me. But this morning, while i was
away from the house, I looked back and
saw that the signal was no longer there.
Some one had changed it. Iran back,
hut 1 was too late, God help me, as you
see!"
The truth flashed upon Brant, 1t
was his own hand that had precipitated
| the attack! But larger truth came
to him now, like dazzling inspiration.
| If he had thus precipitated the attack
before it was ripe, there was chance
that it was imperfect, and there was
still hope. But there was no trace OF
this visible in his face, as he fixed his
ewes calmly on hers, although his
pulses were halting in expectancy as he
said:
Then the spy had suspected you,
and changed it."
20, mol" she said, eagerly, "tor the
spy was with me and was frightened,
90. We both ran back together-you
rmember-she was stopped by the pa
roll" She checked herself suddenly,
| .ut too late. Her cheeks blazed, her
lead sank-with the foolish disclosure
into which her esgerness had betrayed
her.
But Brant appeared not to notice it.
lie was, in fact, puzzling his brain to
conceive what information the stupid
mulatto woman could have obtained
here. His strength, his position was in
| scent to the enemy-there was nothing
10 gain from him. She must have been,
| ike the trembling, eager woman before
him. mere tool Of others.
| did this woman live here?" he said.
mo" she said. "She lived with the
Manlys, but had friends whom she
visited at your generals headquarters" ."
With difficulty Brant suppressed q
start. 1t was clear to him now. The
information had been obtained at the
division headquarters and passed
through his camp as being nearest the
confederate lines. But what was the
information, and what movement had
he precipitated? Itwas clear that this
woman did not know. He looked at
her keenly. A sudden explosion shook
the house, drift Of smoke passed the
windoW-a shell had burst in the gar
den.
She had been gazing at him despair
ingly, wistfully, but she did not blanch
or start
An idea too possession of him. lie
approached her and took her cold hand.
A half smile parted her pale lips
You have courage you have devo-
tion," he said, grayely. Il believe you
regret the step you have taken. Ifyou
could undo what you have done, even at
peril to yourself, dare you do it2"
Yes she said, breathlessly.
"You are known to the enemy. II ]
am surrounded you could pass through
the confederate lines unquestioned."
"Yes." she said, eagerly.
"a note from me would pass you
again through the pickets of our head-
quarters. But you would bear note
to the general that noe eyes but his must
sec. II would not implicate you or
yonrs-itwouldb be only word of warn
ing"
"And you," she said, quickly, would
lie saved They would come to yonl
assistance! You would not then be
taken?"
He smiled gently. "Perhaps-who
knows?"
He sat down and wrote hurriedly
This" he said, handing her slip o
paper, sis a pass. You will use it be
yond your own lines. This note" h
continued, handing her a sealed envel
nre, sis for the general. No one els
must see it, or know of it--not evel
our loyer-should you meet him!"
my lover!" she said, Indignantly
with flash of her old sayagery, "wha
do you mean? / Ihaye no loyer!"
Brant glanced at her flushed face
"I thought" he said, quietly, "tha
! there was some one you cared for Il
yonder lines-some one you wrote to
it would have been an excuse"
He stopped as her face paled again
and her hands dropped heavily at her
side. Good God! you thought that
too. You thought that l would sacri
fee you for another man"
Pardon me-" said Brant, quickly
81 was foolish. But whether youl
lover is man or cause, you have
shown woman's devotion. And in re
pairing your fault you are showing
more than woman's courage now"
To his surprise the color had agar
mounted to her pretty cheeks, and ever
fash of mischief shone in her blu'
eyes. at would have been AN excuse
yes--to save man, surely. Well,
, will go. am ready"
Zone moment" !" he said, grasely. "Al
though this pass and an escort insure