The San Francisco call., 1903-12-27

the most.
~ EMPLAND was utterly unable to
" fathom her mysterious conduct.
Z He had thought upon it swiftly
as he could during those trying
moments which had been so filed with
action, but he had not had time, until
in the quiet and solitude Of his con-
fnement, to give it any calm considera-
tion. He was at loss 10 understand
her actions.
Was she a traitor to the South? Did
she think 10 prevent the loss of the
flagship Of the Federal feet by de-
tanning him? That could not be, for If
ever truth and sincerity shone in
woman's face and were evinced in a
voman's actions, they 3ere in Fanny
Glen's appearance and life Her patri-
otism was unquestioned. That hypoth-
esis must be dismissed at once.
Was it because she loved him so
that, fancying the expedition promised
certain death to him. she had taken
this unfortunate method Of preserving
his life? Had he not been too agitated.
IN the strong room Of her house to re-
aIize as he held her that in some mys-
terious way she was happy at being in
his arms? His heart leaped at the rec
objection. She had not struggled. She
had almost nestled against him.
He could recall the clasp Of her arms,
the kiss that she had given him, the
words that she had said! He was al
most sure that she loved him as he
thought Of these things.
Yet-she had disgraced him, dishon-
ored him. That was not. the act Of a
loving woman She had shown herself
possessed Of a full measure of woman
ly heroism and courage. She knew
exactly what was involved in his fail
ure TO carry out his orders. How could
she have done it, Was it all acting
then? Did her kisses betray him? Was
she indeed traitor-and TO him? Yet
for whom?
There was Lacy-oh, had he repent
ed after all. Had he wished to resume
the command he had so reluctantly
surrendered? Had she been a party to
any plan whereby the matter might be
brought about? Was he to be shamed
and sacrificed for Lacy's glory and
honor by this woman? Perish the
thought Yet why had she tainted at
the wharf? Was it at the mention Of
Lacy's name? Was she alarmed for
his safety? If that were the case why
had she not striven to restrain Lacy
and allowed him TO go in his place?
Suddenly there flashed into his mind
that there might be some one on the
Wabash whom she wished to protect!
Could that be the solution Of the mys-
terry? No one knew anything Of her
origin. her past history. Was she faith
ful TO the South, yet had she a-a-lov-
er in the Urion feet? Was she indeed
what he called her-a heartless CO.
ouette? He could have sworn from
that brief moment when he held her in
his arms, when he looked at her, that
she loved him. She had returned his
kiss. Oh. had she? Was it a dream?
A play? To deceive him? Great God,
was he going mad?
OF only one thing was he certain.
He could never disclose to any one
the cause Of his failure to present him
self on the wharf on time. Whether
she loved Lacy, or some one in the
Union feet, made no difference to his
love. He would love her till he died.
Ay. he would love her even in the
face OF her treachery, her faithless-
ness-everything He hated himself
for this. but it was true; he could not
deny It.
And he would save her from the con-
sequences of her action at the cost Of
his life-his honor even. What had he
70 live for any way if she were taken
from him? Death might come. 1t would
come. He would make no defense. It
was quite within the power Of court
martial to order him shot. And IT was
quite within the power Of a court-mar-
tial TO punish Fanny Glenn, too, if he
fastened the culpability for his failure
upon her. perhaps not by death, but
certainly by disgrace and shame. The
city was under martial rule-General
Beauregard was supreme. No. he could
not expose her to that condemnation
he loved her too well. Yet he wished
that he could hate her. as he paced up
and down the long room, stopping at
the windows to stare out into the dark
IN the direction Of the sea-where he
should have been if all had gone well.
He was too far away to hear the ex-
plosion Of the torpedo, which was muf-