The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-24
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER All.
HOW THE NEWS CAME TO UNwEL-
COME EARS.
Though all the western quarter of the
sky was night-black and spangled yet with
stars. the dawn was grazing slowly in the
east when Tybee reused me.
They have not come for you as yet" he
said; 80 took time by the forelock and
passed the word for. breakfast. 1t heartens
a man to eat bite and drink cup of wir g
just on the battles edge. Will you sit ana
let me serve you, Captain Ireton?"
THAT 1 will not said 1; adding that 1
would blithely share the breakfast with
him. Whereat he laughed and clipt my
hand, and swore was true soldier and a
brave gentleman to boot.
So we sat and hobnobbed at the table
and Tybee lighted all the remnant candle
ends, and preached the wine and pledged
me in bumper before we fell to upon the
cold haunch of venison.
My SUMMONS came when we had shared
the heeltap of the bottle. 1t was my toast
to this kindhearted youngster. and we
drained it standing what time the stair
gave back the tread of marching men.
Tybee crashed his glass upon the floor and
wrung my hand across the table.
Goodbye. my captain: they have come.
God damn me. sir. I'll swear they might do
worse than let you go. for all your spying.
You've carried of this matter with the
lady as gentleman should. and whilst l
live. she shall not lack friend. If you
have any word to leave for her"
1 shook my head. NO" said I; then, on
second thought: And yet there is word.
You saw how / must see the matter
through to shield the LADY,"
Surely; twas plain enough for any one
to see''
Then / shall die the easier il you will
undertake to make 1t plain to Richard
Jennifer. He must be made to know that
supplanted him only in formal way. and
that to save the lady's honor
The lieutenant promised heartily, and as
he spoke. the oaken bar was lifted and my
reprieve was at an end.
Having the thing to dispatch before they
broke their fast. my soldier hangmen
marched me off without ado. The house
and all within it seemed yet asleep, but
out of doors the legion vanguard was astir,
and newly kindled campfires smoked and
blazed among the trees. In shortest space
we left these signs of life behind, and be-
gan to think toward the end.
IT'S curious how sweet this troubled life
Of. ours becomes when that day wakes
wherein IL must be shuffied off, AS a sol
der must, thought had held life lightly
enough: nay. this / know; / had often
worn it upon my sleeve in battle. But now.
when was marching forth to this cold
blooded end without the battle-chance to
make 1t welcome. all nature cried aloud to
me.
The dawn was not unlike that other dawn
a month past when 1 had ridden down the
river road with Jennifer; a morning fair
and fine, its cup abrim and running over
with the wine of life. thought the cool,
moist air had never seemed sweet and
fragrant: that natures garb had never
seemed so blithe. There was no hint nor
sign of death In all the wooded prospect.
The birds were singing joyously; the squir-
rels scarce alarmed enough to scamper
out of sight, sat each upon his bough to
chatter at us as we passed And once. when
we were filing through bosky dell with
softest turf to muffie all our treadings. a
fox ran out and stood with one uplifted
foot. and was as still as any stock or stone
until he had the scent of US.
A mile beyond the outfelds of Appleby
Hundred we passed the legion picket line.
and began to wonder why we went so far;
wondered and made bold to ask the ensign
in command, turning II into grim jest
and saying 1 misliked to come too weary
to my end.
The ensign. a curst young popinjay. as
little officer cubs are like to be, answered
fiippantly that the colonel had commuted
my sentence; that / was to be shot like a
soldier. and that far enough afield so the
volleying would not wake the house.
So We Jared on. and hundred yards be-
yond this point of question and reply
came out into an open grove OF oaks; then
I knew where they had brought me-and
why Twas the glade where had fought
farther confines two horses nibbled rein's-
length at the grass, with Falconnet' s
trooper serving-man to hold them; and,
standing on the very spot where he had
thrust me out, my enemy was waiting.
Twas all prearranged: for when the en-
sign had saluted he marched his men lit
tie way apart and drew them up in line
with muskets ported. But at sign from
Falconnet, two OF the men broke ranks
and came to strap me helpless with their
belts I smiled at that, and would not miss
the chance to Jeer.
"You are a sorry coward, Captain Fall
connect as DULLES ever are" / said. Would
not your sword sufnce against a man with
empty hands?"
He passed the taunt in silence. and when
the men had left me. said: Il have come
to speed your parting, Captain Ireton. You
are a thick-headed. witless fool. as you
dered into serving me, would not grudge
the time to come and thank YOU"
81 serve you2" / cried God knows I'd
serve you up in collops at the table of
before you with a carving tool,''
He laughed softly. Always vengeful and