The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-15
voice rose Historically.


Quiet o, for Gods sake, quiet!
All, beg your pardon, but I couldn't
bear to hear you crying like that; you
mustn't, you know. 1 am sorry 1 have
frightened you, but"
Who are you, sir? Why should
he quiet?''
Please! I beg Of you! I'll explain:
II am here on duty" The boy stiff
fened himself. and with a touch of
youthful bravado added, I'm on spe-
cial duty, and l must not be caught.
It's important, really. No one should
know you wouldn't have if you hadn't
! cried So"
She marked the soft infection of his
speech, a suspicion crystillizing in her
mind.
"A spy. You're a rebel spy!"
He quivered beneath the lash of the
word.
DON'T he pleaded lamely Don't
call it that. We call it secret service"
The boy stood before her with bow
ed head; he seend very young most
unfit for a perilous mission. Presently
she queried, her tone still one of
loathing:
How did you get in? How long
have you been here?"
81 came in last night, to escape the
| storm. The kitchen door was unlock
ed, you know. The Yanks moved soon
er than 1 was looking for He falter-
ed, but went on. They mighty nigh
caught me; must have chased me ten
miles. My horse was giving out, so
1 slipped off near here, and sent him
on" He smiled at the recollection of
the trick.
You must CO."
His look was an appeal
Instantly" she commanded. "or
I'll rouse the house
IF I'm caught-and I can't escape
now-you know what it means?"
They will kill you for spy" Her
voice was harsh and cold
They'll shoot me-" he said simply.
You deserve it,"
DO your Yankee spies deserve it?"
She turned upon him Indignantly.
How dare you!" she famed. Flow
dare you ask me to be a traitor to my
country? Who are you-what are you?
-you.-to ask such a thing of me?
What is your life to me compared with
the welfare of my country? Go! Are
you a coward as well as a spy?"
I'm no coward. THERE reckon
you've said enough; I'll 60" His
voice shook slightly. Life seemed to
him most sweet, just then; he had seen
so little of it. had planned to do so
much that was great and noble. To be
cut off now He saw himself
as he had seen so many others; a quiet
bunch of rags. perhaps moaning, per-
haps most still oh, well, at
least he could die like a man. He
drew himself together. his hand upon
the doorknob. The din outside came
very loudly to his ear. And now, from
far in the South-beyond the Cap
came the sullen boom-boom of can
non.
"The battles on!'' he cried, his tone
thrilling and -"
You are here, spyingl-when you
might be fighting with your regiment"
Don't say any more. 1 am going
now"
Waltz"
He paused with hope in his eyes.
She had undergone a swift revulsion
of feeling There had come before
her mental vision a picture of her
Fred, her brother, in like position.
But, then, Fred would never be spy.
But If he were ordered? Would he not
have to do as his superior thought
best? Her own brother shot
for a spy!
Don't CO." she faltered. IT can't
send you to your death, even If you
are a rebel and a spy. You may stay
for awhile
I'D rather CO." he told her proudly.
than stay despised."
"But-but what can you expect.
sir?"
Butch consider! Can't you un-
derstand that I'm doing this for the
love of my country my people. Our
cause is as real to us, believe me, as
is yours to you. You-why, you'd
do anything for your side; you'd play
the spy YOURSELF You Yankees don't
seem to comprehend that we of the
South are fighting for things as sacred
to us as you hold yours-our homes,
| our mothers and sisters, our rights! 1
| am not a spy because / want to be one;
| it's dirty work for a gentleman. And
| I'm a Cotton, and the Coltons are
| known as gentlemen. But l would do
worse were it necessary and called
upon!' He stopped short, trying to
control himself
He had not thought to defend him
self: he had not tried to justify his
course; but he wanted this girl to TN
derstand. Somehow. il seemed worth
while that she should be made to I'M
! derstand.
"Then you didn't-do this because
you wanted to?" she breathed, softly
with something very near to an eager
ness in her tone.
mo; but I volunteered. I had to,
you see. They called for a volunteer
and no one else answered. So had
to-"
And they let you go?'
III course.
I'm 19-old enough to die, 1 reckon,
an-and not be missed much. I'm only
a second lieutenant you know; but
they promised me a captains commits
| sion if"
Quick" she cried. "You must hur-
ry. Our men are being driven back,
and I must hide you. You can't stay
here-its too dangerous"
Where? Where in this house would
/ be safe?"
II don't know-I don't know But you
must not risk staying here. In my own
room. perhaps"
Il could not think OF IL. What II
were found? No. must go; I'll chance
Il. I've put you In danger OF suspic-
ion as Il is"
mo" she entreated wildly. mo you
must not can't let you go-its GER
tain death. DO you understand? You
must noti"
Yea. and yeti mustl"