The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-12-04


the hurried estimate of the precious mo-
ments he could give to the wretched
woman before hiIn-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 1 must know everything.
How and in what way have you be-
trayed me?'
She looked at him imploringly-re-
assured, yet awed by his gentieness.
You won't believe me! You cannot
believe me, But do not even know; l
have taken and exchanged letters
whose contents 1 never saw-betveen
the confederates and a spy who comes
to this house-but who is far away
By this time. did ii because l thought
you hated and despiscd me. because L
thought it was my duty to help my
! cause. because you said it was war
between rs, but l have spied on you. 1
swear it,
Then how do you know OF this at
tack >" he said, calmly.
She frightened, half tiInidly, half
hopefully. There is 4 window in the
wing of this house that overlooks the
slope near the confederate lines There
was u signal placed in it-not by me-
! but l knew it meant that as long as it
was there the plot, whatever it was, was
not ripe. and that 10 attack would be
made on you as long as it was visible.
| That much 1 knew, that much the spy
| had to tell me, for we both had to
! guard that room in turns 1 wanted to
! keep this dreadful thing off until-un-
! TIL" her voice trembled-''until," she
/ added hurriedly, seeing his calm eyes
| 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 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! Rut 4 larger truth came
| to him now, like dazzling inspiration.
/ If 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,
20, no." she said, eagerly, for the
spy was with me and was frightened,
I too. We both ran back together-you
| remember-she was stopped by the pa
troll" She checked herself suddenly.
! but too late. Her cheeks blazed, her
head sank-with the foolish disclosure
into which her eagerness had betrayed
| her.
| But Brant appeared not to notice it.
He was, in fact, pulling 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
to gain from him. She must have been,
| like the trembling. eager woman before
| him, n mere tool of others.
Did this woman live here?" he said.
No" she said. ''She lived with the
Manlys, but had friends whom she
visited at your generals headquarters"
| With difficulty Brant suppressed
| 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? 1t was clear that this
/ woman did not know. He locked at
! her keenly. \ sudden explosion shook
the house. 4 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. He
approached her and took her cold hand.
y half smile parted her pale lips.
You have courage-you have devo-
ton he said, gravely.' Il believe you
regret the step you have taken. Hyou
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. I'll
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 no eyes but his must
see. 1t would not implicate you or
yours-it W ould be only word of warn
| ing" -'...-..--
And YOU she said, quickly. would
| be saved. They would come to your
assistance. You would not then be
| taken?"
He smiled gently. "Perhaps-who
! Itrows?'
He sat down and wrote hurriedly.
This" ne said, handing her a slip of
paper, ''is pass You will use it be-
yond your own lines. This note" he
| continued. handing her a sealed envel-
ope, lis for the general. No one else
must see it. or know of it-not even
our lover-should you meet him!"
My lover!" she said. indignantly.
with 4 Hash of her old savagery, what
do you mean? l have no lover"
Brant glanced at her flushed face.
81 thought" he said, quietly. that
there was some one you cared for in
yonder Eres-some one you wrote to;
it would have been an excuse"