The Irish standard., 1899-12-30
better than to make such threat. I
determined to prod him in a way that
might give better results,

Neiy NSll, bSHeIal; YOU Keep your
secret, I keep mine. But you have
the advantage of me. You are my SUI
perior, and have the ear of the COM
handing general. I am your prisoner
and muzzled." I cast up my eyes with
the look of martyr.
He started up. Il muzzle you! Go
where you like; tell what you like;
fall into traps; get yourself be-
witched. If had the right to give Mar
garet Beach her freedom I would do
so, that you might continue your sigh
ing at her feet, and get yourself shot
for your pains."
General" said, 'let me explain all
this.''
"Go."
'You will not hear me?"
go; you are as free as air"
My shot had produced far greater eff
feet than I had supposed. expected
implied thrust, but that it would in
duce him to break my arrest did not
for moment anticipate. I stood star
ing at him in establishment.
General" I said, presently, "after
the manner in which you have doubted
me I would accept no favor from you.
You have given me my freedom, which
rightfully belongs to me; but under
stand that you have placed me in a po-
sitien that releases me from any fur
Their responsibility to you except Off
cially. In military matters I am sub
ject to your orders; in civil matters
/ shall act in accordance with my own
conscience
''In other words, you will sigh under
BonnybePs window-panes as much as
you like; you will assist her in her eff
forts to transmit information to the
enemy, which she is desperate enough
to do even with her neck in a halter"
'You mean noble enough to do, did
she consider it her duty"
The oddity of the situation suddenly
flashed upon me. First the general is
accused and irritated to the verge of in
subordination. Then he meets Marga-
ret Beach, with evidence against her as
strong as that against himself, and, be-
lieving her guilty, treats her with far
more severity than the government had
treated him. Lastly, the infection
spreads to me. Being accused wrong
fully, am about to make my treatment
an excuse to assist an enemy of the gov
eminent to escape. Surely, when the
devil sows, he catches all within range
of the seed.
And when the devil gets one into Il
condition to suit him he kindly fur
nishes the means of getting stronger
grip on his victim. 1 left the general
i'll high dudgeon, and, going to the
house, sat on the veranda, nursing my
wrath TO keep it warm Ihad spent en-
hour in this fashion, when, hearing
some one pass out of the front door, |
turned and discovered Georgia. When
she saw ME she started back; then she
came forward, and, hourse with emo
ton, said:
mamma is very ill. Can't you go to
the general and get Il pass for me to go
down the road to where our doctor
lives?"
''He would send an orderly"
She buried her face in her handller-
chief.
II can give you a permit in the gen
eTal S name, 1 SAID.
"Please do"
I suspected at once that her object
was to send her brother out of the lines
in her clothes. I had assured her that
l would aid him to escape, but, now that
/ came face to face with wrong, not
withstanding that the devil was buzz
ing about my car, I hesitated.
fp1 3,1.,{ r.,
use.''
"For myself"
"Snrely?"
Surely"
every we'll; come with me-"
led her to the gate and directed the
guard to let her go out. What was my
surprise to see her hasten away into the
darkness without hesitation or far, or
even a good-by.
"Upon my world" I exclaimed, 'sshe
wants to go for a doctor, but she might
have at least thanked me for helping
her to do so.'
Early next morning orders were is
sued to march as soon as the men could
get their breakfast. Where we were 60
ing was not divulgcd, but surmised we
were to go either to Knoxville or Chat
tanooga. Wondering what had become
of Georgia, mounted the stairs, and,
inqriring which was her room, tapped
at the door.
'Who's there?" I recognized Geor-
gas voice, but noticed that it was much
sweeter thai, the night before.
II, Lieut.. Hall. 1 only wish to know
if you were successful in your quest last
night"
eyes,"
'What time did you get back?'
"About-let me see-ten o'clock"
Nonsense. 1t was II when passed
you beyond the lines"
Again there was short silence. fol-
lowed by: "Was it?''
"What's the matter with your" I
asked.
Nothing; go away. I'll tell you by
and by"
1 went downstairs, and on reaching
the gallery found summons to go to
the general. AS left the house solid
company of troopers marched up and
took possession.
Lieutenant" said the general, 1--WE
are to go at once to Chattanooga, where
this whole matter will be referred to
the commanding general; but before we
march intend to put it beyond posi-