Evening star., 1903-12-26

| federal flagship by torpedo and incidental
ly the probable death of Captain Sempland
Such conduct is essentially reasonable es-
pecially in state of war. What is the
punishment for such actions in the face Of
the enemy?"
Death, SIR" returned the assistant gen.
eral solemnly.
Are you all agreed as to that, gentle
men?"
I'VE are, SIR" was the unanimous reply
They had been well tutored in the little
comedy which the general had arranged, it
was evident.
agony They deceived even him with their
seriousness. This is most irregular!
protest."
Il am ready, gentlemen" whispered Fam
ny Glen bravely turning very white as she
spoke andnot appearing at all ready in fact,
Liam glad to-suffer since Captain
Sempland-" she faltered with a miserable
attempt at courage.
"One moment. please" broke in the little
general imperatively But, gentlemen, the
culprit has otherwise deserved well of her
country, as you know. During the war her
services in the general hospital have been
beyond price. She is woman. On the
ship which 1t was proposed to blow up was
her father, Admiral Vernon, South Caro-
linian, whose ideas of duty led him to con-
tinue his services to the United States.
These are mitigating circumstances. Here
Is treachery to the SOUTH merely a
womans desire to save her father from
swift and sudden death. No mischance has
arisen from her action Major Lacy took
out the boat with his usual distinction, al
though, fortunately for the lady, the Hou-
satonc seems to have suffered instead of
the Wabash. Under these circumstances,
think, 1t does not behoove us to be too Sc
vere You agree with me, am sure, gen.
tlemen?'
Certainly, sir, we do" replied the officers
"Thank you! thank your exclaimed
Fanny Glen gratefully, with boundless re-
lief In her voice.
By this time she was as close to Semp-
land as she could get and entirely uncon-
scious Of what he was doing, the latter had
thrown his arm protectingly around her
waist.
"wait, Miss Glen" said the general
severely, lifting his hand and checking her
further speech, you cannot think to escape
scot free. Such actions cannot go entirely
unpublished. AS long as Miss Fanny Glen
exists she must suffer for her actions. You
are agreed with me, gentlemen?"
I'VE are, sir"
| 1t was remarkable the unanimity with
which they all supported their generals de-
| cision, on so serious a matter and practi-
cally without deliberation.
Captain Sempland. as soldier, I am
sure you will acquiesce In the views of your
| brother officers"
| sempland bit his lip. Fanny Glen nestled
closer to him and looked up at him be-
| seechingly.
| Onp 8eneTal! ne Salu at last. lSn I
! there some way out Of it?'
There may be-" said the general solemn
! ly. Let me think moment. Suppose
ah. suppose, Miss Fanny Glen should dis
/ appear?"
| But where can go. sir?' asked the girl
!, nervously. CAN that l love" She OBJ
served smile Pickering upon the generals
| lips as she glanced at Sempland "I mean
everybody and everything that 1 love is
| here" She stamped her foot impatiently
You won't send me to the Union meet?
| know my father is safe-but 1 love the
south. 1 will never do anything wrong
again If you won't send me away!, she
! pleaded.
| 1T was indeed sweeping promise, one
she could scarcely have kept.
There are other ways by which Miss
Fanny Glen might disappear" said Beau
regard gravely.
| "How, sir?'
| You You might change your name-again.''
Change my name?"
| "Yes. You might become-Mrs Rhett
l Sempland, let US say!'
''o-o-oh!'' cried the girl, blushing furiously