Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-08-19

woman before him-all this he was
keenly alive to as he gravely, even
gently, led her to chair, and said in.
critical and level voice:
This is not enough, Speak slowly.
plainly. / must know everything.
How and in what way have You be-
trayed me?"
She looked at him mploringly-re-
assured. yet awed by his gentieness.
You won't believe me, You cannot
believe me, But / do not even know: /
have taken and exchanged letters
whose contents never saw-between
the confederates and spy who comes
TO this house-but who is far AWAY
by this time. did il because thought
you hated and despised me, because
thought it was my duty TO help my
cause, because you said il was war
between us, but have spied on you. I
swear it,"
Then how do you know of this ut
tack?" he said, calmly.
She frightened, half timidly, half
hopefully. There is window in the
wing of this house that overlooks the
slope near the confederate lines. There
was signal placed in it-not by me
but knew il meant that as long as il
was there the plot, whatever il was. was
not ripe, and that no attack would be
made on you as long as il was visible.
That much L 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-
III, her voice rembled-"until." she
added hurriedly, seeing his calm ewes
were reading her very soul, until 1
went away, and for that purpose with
held some of the letters that were given
me- But this morning. while l was
away from the house. looked back and
saw that the signal was no longer there
Some one had changed it. ran back.
but was too late, God help me, as Won
see,"
The truth flashed upon Brant. II
was his own hand that had prccipitated
the attack! But q larger truth came
TO him now, like n dazzling inspiration.
II he had thus precipitated the attack
before 1t 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
eyes calmly on hers, although his
pulses were hating in expectancy as he
said:
Then the spy had suspected you,
and changed it,"
30, mol" she said. eagerly. "for the
spy was with me and was frightened.
too. We both ran back togcther-you
remember-she was stopped by the pa
troll" She checked herself suddenly,
but too late. Her cheeks blazed, her
head sanlI-with the foolish disclosure
into which her eagerness had betrayed
her.
But Brant appeared not 10 notice it
He was, in fact, pulling his brain 20
conceive what information the stupid
mulatto woman could have obtained
here. His strength, his position was in
scent to the enemy-there was nothing
to gain from him. She must have been,
like the trembling, eager woman before
him, mere tool of others.
Did this woman live here 2" he said
NO" she said. "Sne lived with the
Manlys, but had friends whom she
visited at your generals headquarters. ~
With difficulty Brant suppressed a
start. II 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? IT. was clear that this
woman did not know He looked at
her keenly. a sudden explosion shook
the house, a drift of smoke passed the
window 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.
\ half smile parted her pale lips.
You have courage-you have devo-
ton" he said, gravely. II believe YOU
regret the step you have taken. If you
could undo what you have done, even at
peril to yourself. dare you do it?''
Yes" she said. breathlessly.
You are known to the enemy. fl
am surrounded you could pass through
the confederate lines unquestioned."
"Ies." she said, eagerly.
"a note from me would pass YOU
again through the pickets of our head
quarters. But you would bear note
10 the general that no eyes but his must
sec. II would not implicatc you or
yours-itwould be only a word OF warn
ing"
And YOU" she said. quickly. "would
hc saved. They would come to your
assistance! You would not then bc
taken?"
lie smiled gently. "Pcrhaps-who
krows?"
lie sat down and wrote hurricdly.
This" nc said. handing her slip Of
paper. ''is pass. You will use IL be
yOnd your own lines. This note" he
continued. handing her n sealed cnvcI-
ope. sis for the general. No one else
m"st sec it. or know OF it--not even
YOU loycr-should YOU meet him!"
MY lover!" she said. Indignantly.
with a Hash Of her old savagery. what
do you mean? have no lover!"
Brant glanced at her flushed face
II thought" he said. quietly, that
there was some one you cared for in
Wonder lirfc como rvs. r.x... ..--.4- l..