The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-02-26

sion by recent grace, but politician by
descent, profession, and lifelong prac-
tice.
There was apparent agony of nausea
upon the boys face; but had the light
been stronger the captors might have
caught CLEAN of merry devil in the
eyes he dropped quickly as the volun-
teer again grumbled
"Um! the old spy's trick. Search him.
sergeant! Do you hear?"
Without word of protest, Evan SUBJ
mitted to thorough search by the lean
old sergeant, regular with chevrons
for service, which yet could not keep
his lips quite steady, as he finished his
task and reported, handing over his
treasures:
Zone letter, two passes, sir; one pipe,
one hoof-piclS, one buckle, one piece Of
Irvine" And the veterans hand went
from his cap to his side, as the major
nervously grasped the enumerated
captures.
"Major!' The clear call from the
little statue at the fire wheeled the
provost marshal like top; and he adj
vanced eagerly, saluting with the hand
that held his prizes.
stop that farce" the general con-
tinued, dryly. "If that fellow is really
a spy, he made way with his proofs on
capture. These are decoys only"
81 think, general, he swallowed"-
the provost blurted out-adding, very
quickly, This tobacco"
The keen blue eyes shot only one
glance at the speaker, now eagerly
scanning the papers by light of the fire.
HE did? UNI send him to my tent"
Eyes, general. viii you examine
these?"
mo, sir. Send him to me-" This
shortly, as the young leader took the
papers carelessiy and turned into the
small, dingy tent beyond the blaze.
Seating himself on campstool, he
merely glanced at the papers, by the
pale CLEAN of a lantern. They were a
scrawled letter from soldier, a far
rier's receipt, and weeks liberty,
signed by the captain of B troop, but
without date. He pitched them on the
rough camp table with contemptuous
gesture, muttering:
"Decoys-if she be spyl Curse these
mustangs! Politics hobble the service,
no end"
A shadow in the tent door raised the
generals eyes, as Miss Clay entered,
erect and calm, followed by Evan, lean
ing on the sergeant.
Keenly the cavalry leader scanned
the pair his eyes passing from the girl
after quick inventory of her points
to Fauntleroy, then quickly back to
her
do you know, sir, that can hang
you at daylight" He shot the question
at Evan like bullet.
Eyes, sir-or shoot me tonight" the
boy answered, quietly. But ! do not
think you will"
"You are spy"
"IIe is not" Miss Clay's voice rang
out clear and defiant. ''He is con-
oOlblCl, tIllu III IlC Ii
prisoner of war"
Sand are yoa also?' The young gen.
eral rose gracefully as he addressed the
lady, instinctively Strengthening his
saber and brushing back his damp curls,
with hGlf-boyish air of foppery, as he
tossed his hat on the table.
Miss Gays eyes met her questioners
steadily, but with unmistakable de-
fiance, as she answered:
Il am not, sir. | am q non-com-
Blatant, Virginia lady on her way to
her aunts home, arrested and dragged
here without cause or excuse for the
outrage! You doubtless could hang us
both to-morrow-or now, if it suits your
governments theories of war; but its
articles protect this youth and release
me-"
The generals eyes again inventoried
the speaker with curiosity that had
some admiration mixed with it, but he
answered, calmly:
"Um! you seem familiar with the
articles Of war. Did you study them al
your aunt's, or-in camp? What is your
name?"
Carrie Fauntleroy-my first cousin
sir" Evan broke in, quickly, his eye
catching the papers on the table, before
the girl could reply.
SIS that true?"
The federal general questioned the
man INIT bic rroza pax,o,. laf+ 4ba f,oa ~
the woman turned defantly upon him
now suffused with glow Of anger thai
never deepened under his scrutiny.
my cousin is Virginian, sir" she
answered for him, as he had done fol
her. eve are never ashamed of our
Names"
A quick glance sent her Evans thank:
that she had caught his meaning-tha
her own name was too well known
along the border to be risked in thi,
new peril Whether the general caught
that glance or not, he seemed i'm
pressed by its reflection in her eyes
from which his own had never swerved
for, after a brief pause, he asked, sud
denly:
cat what point, miss, did you hope tc
reach the river?"
Ii he expected start or flush for az
answer, it was in vain. Carolyn Clay
had been in close places before, if not SC
perilous as this; and she answered, as
calmly and naturally as though ,declin
ing an ice:
"My aunt lives inland, sir; not on tn,
river"
A half smile he could not repres
flickered an instant about the cavalry
leaders lips, quickly replaced by theil
habitual sternness, as he retorted:
cit is a strange hour and stranp,