The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-04-02

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'stonish- Whose shot is it? Mine?"
He broke off abruptly, turning to the
table and playing wildly, but counting.
Again Fitzhugh's eyes sought the clock
anXiously. 1t marked the quarter to
twelve.
Came he cried, suddenly "I'll bet
you terrapin supper you can't beat
rae, the next game we play. This room
is too hot. Come. let's get into the air.
One night-cap, and III walk home with
YOU
Again he filed the glasses with steady
hand. Again Meredith drained his,
lurching heavily towards the hat-racl.
Then the two locked arms, passing into
the black December night. The cold
wind, contrasting to the close room,
drove the alcohol fumes faster to Mere
dith's brain, loosening his legs and his
tongue in equal degree.
''Yes, sirl Carolyn Clay's soldier, cv'ry
INCH Braves girl yo' ever heard o..
An it'll VIII Mckee, he gabbled on,
with chucllle-''tha' littl shrimp
Peyton, you'd new s'pect society beau
like him-damn sush pavement!-you'd
new s'pect shrimp like him-KnowI can
trust you, OF boyl But he's rislhin' OF
capitol"
When Peyton Fitzhugh had found
Carroll Meredith's night-key, left him
in his room, and turned once more into
the night, he muttered to himself
"A gentleman in soul, with big
heartl God forgive the poor fellow
and mel But had to do It'll"
Pulling his soft hat down over his
face, and throwing the collar of his
long ulster high about it, the spy strobe
rapidly through the deserted streets,
turned into an alley-way, and halted
before low arch, where sentry
walked lazily The man came to a
carry, and the spy, passing him unques-
toned, mounted the steps to dim-lit
hall, where an orderly dozed at desk.
Major in, Caspar?" he asked, abrupt
ly, and, receiving answer, tapped at a
door labeled "adjutant general" As
he entered, a slight, boyish officer
glanced up from dispatches littering his
desk.
"Uml you're on time" he said,
abruptly, as the neighboring clock
changed out for midnight "a minute
later you had found the Office shut"
81 said l would be here by twelve,
major" the spy answered. 81 was de-
tanned by duty Any orders for me,
sir?"
None. Important news from your
general, though; so Washington wires
me. He failed to strike Stuart's adj
vance, under Rosser, that morning you
guided him to Beckley's crossroads.
The damned rebel was beforehand and
got in his rear
Ibid they strike, sir? Did they cut
the general Off" Fitzhugh asked the
questions eagerly and with strange
CLEAN in his eyes.
Eyes; they struck, and pretty hard,
too. But the general cut his way
through, rather crippled. No, there is
no blame attaching to you, Fitzhugh,
The fault lies with Maj Conyers
scout He is under arrest. You seem
to have done your full duty"
81 tried to do my full duty, SIR" The
reply was unwonted in it's meekness;
and the spy's eyes were downcast, as he
queried: "Where did the general get
out? Has he made the river again?"
Eyes; but some regiments scattered,
and the stragglers come in slowly" =
"They should be struck in detail
scattered along the river" Fitzhugn
said, slowly, half absently
Damn, it, sir, you'd better give your
views to Gen. Sheridan" the infantry
major retorted, abruptly. 81 am not
commanding the cavalry of the army of
the Potomac"
beg pardon, sir" the spy answered,
not raising his eyes, in which the CLEAN
still fingered. "Am to go over2 Any
orders for me?"
mo; you are to remain hcre-proba-
bly, accompany Gen. Baldwin on a
prison-inspection that has been de-
manded by these newspaper meddlers.
Goodnight, Caspar." The major rose,
sorting his papers, the spy turning
slowly to the door, as though regretting
something, when the officer added;
by the way, what is this young fel.
low McKce?"
Nothing, SIR" was the prompt an.
swer, as Fitzhugh glanced quickly al
the questioner "A society butterfly
without brains. He is not suspected,
presumed"
"Oh, 40, Only, he's always so devil
ish polite to me, for sake of getting
passes whore none are needed, that il
amounts to bore. He talked two
hours and wasted two bottles Of wine
tonight to get permits to hunt in Prince
Georges. Good night"
Good night, sir, the spy answered
quickly leaving the room and descend
ing to the street.
Meanwhile, Mr. Willie Mckee hat
left the musicale and let himself quiet
ly into the darkened home of his wild
owed mother. Passing softly through
to the stables he walked his groom
gave special instructions about feeding
his best horse, and ordered his hunting
trap to be in readiness at two o'clock.
Then, mounting tn his own suite, HI
laid out his corduroys and boots, sc
lected Winchester rifle from the sew
eral cases, and, carefully inspecting the
grease on the cartridges, loaded it ant
tested the lock.
Next he unlocked q cupboard, taking
thence and slowing in his bird-bag
strange outfit for duc!;-hunt. Their,
were carefully tied parcels from thu
!.