The Irish standard., 1903-10-31
CHAPTER IN.
THE PLEA.


The prisoner heard her eNclama-
ton. His quick glance took in her
figure and that of her escort. A
scowl settled upon his handsome
brow and his lips set in firm line Of
anger. As they advanced, he drew
himself up between his captors and
made stately but freezing abeisance
to the lady. .....
"What is the meaning of this dis
turbance?" Bessemcr demanded of
the sergeant in charge of the SOL
diers. A
"This is the rebel, sir,'3the man
answered, saluting, upon whose trail
you sent us. We captured him some
miles back and were bringing him
into camp. but when we reached the
gate yonder he broke away from u.s."
"Well." Ressemcr inquired sharply,
"what did you find on him? Any
thing?"
81 searched him as soon as we cap
tured him. the sergeant answered,
''but could find no papers,
Bcsscmrr tapped his foot upon the
ground and studicda moment. "Donbt-
less" he said mt last, ''he carries his
dispatches i'm his head instead of in
writing. You come. from Gen. Gates,
| believer He turned to the prison
cr.
"Indrril,' the othcr responded,
with an intrrrogAturv infection.
Bearing messages IT, Col. Sum-
ter?"
"Ah?"
PASSENGERS black eyes flashed an
griIy. no insolcnce. sir. | recog-
nize You now. Unless ] mistake
greatly. YOU are one of those arch
conspirators who last month hung
three of his maicsty's most loyal
servants. The leader of your band
is in my hands, a prisoner. He hangs
Mt sunrise. You hang with him, save
on one condition only-that you re-
veal within the hour the contents OF
those dispatches, be they written or
verbal, which you were conveying
from Gen. Gates to Col. Sumter. On
those terms alone will I spare your
life; indeed, it is piece Of clemcncy
in which am scarce warranted"
'.Col. Bessemer's reputation for
mercy is world renowned. His quar-
ter hath become household word.
OF like fame are the honorable terms
he ever offers those who have that
which he would wish to purchase.
IT'S strange so few honest men take
advantage Of such magnanimity."
The moclking bow matched the
hooking words. Bessemer's fury
came near choking him. Jane half
started forward, as though she
would save the reckless American
from his own mad folly-then
checked herself.
Enough. Sergeant, take him to
the house by the back way. Have
him securely locked in some upper
room and well guarded until I can
find time to deal with him. Dear
lady," he added, turning to Jane with
softened tone, as the soldiers obeyed
his orders, 81 most humbly crave
your pardon for this unseemly in
terruption. Let us dismiss it from
our minds and take up our discourse
where it was so rudely broken"
ssNay," Jane answered in a low
tone, her face pale, her eyes trou-
bled, 'sfirst tell me that you did not
mean your threat to hang Capt.
Worthington if he does not give you
the information you desire, thing
he will never do if he possess any.
am sure, however, you do not mean
to hang him. 1t was but q ruse, was
it not, to induce him to speak-a
mere bit of play?"
"a bit of play, madam, which will
\ cost Capt. Worthington his neck. He
is a troublesome fellow whom I
have long wished to be rid of; pesti-
4 ferrous gadfiy, ever buzzing around
and annoying our troops. Besides.