Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-21
are willing to sacrifice it?"

greatly to Lacy's credit" had flashed into
his mind, "if he could manage to die In
some such heroic action"
Lacy and Sempland knew what the gen.
eral thought, and Sempland could think OF
no words to bridge over the pause.
You see," at last said Lacy, smiling
satirically at sempland, 1.-The general under
stands. You would better let me CO."
mo. The thing sometimes works. Glas-
sell got out alive when he tried to blow up
the New 1ronsides, and, anyway, l want
this chance. I have had four years of war
and have spent three of 1t in prison. For
Gods sake, general"
VERY we'll. You shall have It," answer
ed Beauregard, but I will not have the
boat used as submarine. You can sink
her until her hatch Is awash, but no
lower"
THANK you," answered the delighted
sempland; where shall I get a crew."
''one has already been selected from from
among hundreds who volunteered. Five
seamen are to attend to the propeller and
an artillery officer to look after the tor
pedo. You can steer the boat?
II lived on the water before I entered
the army"
'.All right. The Wabash is lying of the
Main Ship channel. l have no instructions
to give you except to go at her and sink her.
l am told the most vulnerable spot of
ship is just forward Of the mainmast Hit
her there. Don't explode your torpedo until
you are in actual contact, if possible. Glas-
sells went off the moment he saw her with
New Ironsides. You will find the torpedo
boat at the government wharf. Everything
is ready. You will leave at Z. The three
blockade runners will follow you as close
as is practicable, and when you torpedo the
frigate they will dart through the swash
and try to get to sea. I reckon upon the
other Yankee ships running down to aid the
Wabash. I'll see you on the wharf. God
bless you, and may He have mercy on your
souls! said the little general solemnly.
He put out his hand to the young man
and he shook it vigorously.
Il pray that / may succeed for the sake
firmly.
For the sake of the south, gentlemen.
That is our watchword" cried Beauregard,
standing UP and bringing his hand to a
salute.
Have you any preparations to make,
Sempland?" asked Lacy when they left the
office.
Il have letter to write"
Very WELL l will look after the boat, and
will meet you on the wharf. Shall you see
Miss Glen before you go?"
No"
"You must"
to her anyway? 1 will be at the wharf.-the
looked at his watch. it was already 6
O'Clock lin three-quarters of an hour.
Goodbye
The boat is ready" said Lacy to himself.
Il saw to that this afternoon. There is
nothing for me to do there. 1 wonder-by
Jove. I'll do it,"
A few minutes after he was ushered again
into the presence of Miss Fanny Glen. She
had at first pleaded indisposition, but he
had insisted upon seeing her.
Il have something of so much Importance
to tell you, Miss Glen" he began as she
entered the room. that I was forced to
override your desires.
rs it about the subject that vel
talked about this afternoon? If So"
iS I hal hot
score. / had my answer then"
Il am very sorry continued the girl. II
admire you, respect you, but-but-but-I
do not
Il understand. Never mind that. You
said that Sempland had never done any,
thing to distinguish himself. Well, he's go
ing to do it tonight
What is he going to do?" asked the girl,
all the liStleSSnesS instantly going out of
her manner.
He is going to take out the David"
"Yes?"
"And blow up the Wabash"
Her hand went to her heart. Her face
turned whittier than the frock she WORE
My Cod she whispered. Admiral ver-
mons ship
She loves him! She loves him. flashed
into Lacys mind. and for the moment he
suffered agonies of jealous pain.
But" continued the girl, why should
they
In the first place." went on Lacy, 'If the
enemy and we hope to let the blockaded
cotton ships to sea-
But the David" said the girl, who knew
the sinister story of the crazy submarine
torpedo boat as did every one in Charleston.
1T is sure DEATH"
TT is dangerous said Lacy softly, "but
General Beauregard has ordered Sempland
to keep her on the surface. That ought to
give them a chance. Glassell escaped you
remember. when he tried the New Iron
Sides
He will be killed! He will be killedv'
she cried piteously, 'and-Admiral Vermont"
What Is the Yankee admiral to YOU to
any Of us?" Lacy asked, curiously inter-
ested to know the meaning of her remark.
why do you tell me of all this?" she ask
ed. failing to notice his question in her
anxiety and alarm.
Because I want you to know Sempland
as the hero he is and because-forgive my
frankness-I believe that you love him. So
l want him to hear you say it before he
goes out 1t will double his chances of
escape If he has your love to think Of
You will inspire him to come back AS It
Is now, am afraid he does not especially
care to. He's too good man to lose, II we
if you-can save him, Miss Fanny"
And this man abused you to me this af-
ternoon" murmured the girl
He said what was true. I honor him
for it. l love you, Miss Fanny 1 am
proving 1t to you now as I proved 1t to
him when I gave him my place at his
earnest entreaty. The detail was mine. I
gave him the chance"
why did you do it?''
For his sake, for yours. It's his solitary
chance. I've had so many. you know"
And he is going to blow up the Wa
bash, the admiraIs ship, did you say?"'
Yes, If he can
Fanny Glen was picture of terror plain
ly apparent in spite of her valiant effort
to conceal her feelings. Her agitation was
SO overwhelming, her anxiety so pro-
nounced. that even on the hypothesis of an
ardent affection for Sempland, Lacy was
completely at loss to account for her con-
dition. What could it mean? The minutes
were flying by.
Come Miss Glen" he said at last, ut
isn't so bad as all that"
But those men on the ship the-the ad-
miral! They won't have a chance for their
lives. 1t is appalling to think Of! 1 cannot
hear 1t! l.
Let them lift the blockade then" coolly
returned the young officer, 1T is chance
of war. Don't waste your sympathy on
them. Bestow it nearer at hand. Semp-
land starts in half an hour. Won't YOU
see him before he goes?"
Yes" whispered the girl, IF you will
send him to me-
There is no time to lose. will have him
here in few moments"