Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12
CHAPTER TX.
The Confession That Cleared.

As the two men left the room the orderly
entered it once more and announced to the
general that q lady was below who asked
the privilege of an interview with him.
Lady? What lady?" demanded Beaure-
gard impatiently.
He was in no mood for feminine society
after the difficult interview In which he had
just participated
II think 1t is Miss Glen, sir. She says she
must see you and"
"Ahv' interrupted the general hastily as
he recollected the scene on the wharf the
night before when Fanny Glen had tainted
at the news that the boat was gone and
that Lacy had gone with 1t. "Show her in
here at once, orderly
He had intended to seek her in her house
in the course of the morning and break the
melancholy news to her that the torpedo
boat was lost in all probability with all on
board, for from her agitation on the wharf
he inferred that her affections were bestow-
ed upon Lacy. He was very sorry for her,
of course, but knowing Lacy as he had, and
estimating Fanny Glen as he did, there was
a certain sense of relief that she would not
be condemned to a lifetime Of misery which
such a marriage would inevitably have en-
tailed. Still. he pitied her profoundly, and
he pitied her more when she came into the
private office in the wake Of the orderly
and threw back her veil. Her beautiful
face showed the sorrow under which she
labored. Suffering had thrown a blight
upon 1t, the freshness and youth seemed to
have departed from it. She was a, piteous
little spectacle indeed.
The general received her with the ut
most cordially and consideration. He
handed her to a chair and bade the
orderly see that they were not disturbed
on any account.
Miss Fanny" he began, gently-the
war had brought the general and the
brave girl very close together-'I was
q n n in hi Ia
You have shown yourself a brave little
woman many times. You need all your
courage now"
Yes. general" said the girl. family,
81 know"
You have sustained a terrible loss"
"Is-is-Mr. Sempland-?"
He Is well enough at present. refer
to your friend, Maj. Lacy"
rs he"
II am sorry to say that in all probable
tty he has lost his life in the torpedo
boat. We can get no tldings of her or OF
any of her crew. She must have gone
down with the ship"
Did they succeed, sir?" interrupted
Fanny Glen, with an anxiety and an APP
| prehension too greae to be controlled.
They did" returnes Seauregard, some
what surprised at her question; but the
| torpedo boat. 1 think, went down with
the ship she blew up, and no one has
seen her or any of her crew since the ex-
plosion l knew that it was almost cer-
/ tain death to them"
Fanny Glen sank back in the chair. She
almost lost consciousness in her agony
She murmured strange and incoherent
words. The general did not understand
them, but he rose, came to her side, bent
over her and took her hand patting II
softly.
II know, I know. my dear child" he
said, gently, how you must suffer. Many
another woman has had to give up her
| hearts desire for our beloved country
Think of the service he rendered, to you
4 vi T.
riiice, his death! Cherish his memory and
| be proud that he loved you and that you
loved him. Few women have done more
| for the south than you, and there is still
much to do. Work will assuage your
grief" continued the general, laying his
hand tenderly upon the bowed head. You
Will always have the deathless memory
| OF his heroism"
/ "Oh!' cried the woman, throwing bach