Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-21


Il that. We call 90 secret service"
The boy stood before her With bowed
head. He seemed very young most unhi
for q perilous mission. Presently she
queried. her tone still one o. loa;hing.
"How did you gst In How long have
you been here"
L cane in last night. 20 escape the
storm. The kitchen door vas unlocked. you
know. The Ys-ks moved sooner than / was
looking for. He faltered. but went OF
They mighty mig caught me- must have
chased ne ten miles. nv horse was giving
cut. 50 slipped Of near here and sent
him on" He smiled az the recollection Of
the trick.
You must go"
His look was an appeal.
Instantly" she commanded. "Or I'll
rouse the house"
IF In caught-and I can't escape nov
you know what 1t netns''
They will kill you for a spy" Her
voice was harsh ard cold.
They'll shoot me" he said, simply.
'You deserve Il"
DO your Yankee spies deserve it,
She turned upon him Indignantly.
How fare you" she famed. How dare
you ask ne to be a traitor 10 ny country.
v " ~ lNA-N ~ aNAa"g wv a7h
such a thing OF ne. What is your life 10
! ne compared With the welfare Of nv coun-
try. Co. Are you a coward as veil as a
spy
I'm no coward. THERE reckon you've
said enough. III go" His voice shook.
Life seemed TO him most sweet. Just then;
be had seen so little Of It. had planned to
do 50 much that was great and noble. To
be cut of nov . He saw himself as
he had seen so many others: a quiet bunch
OF rags. perhaps moaning. perhaps most
sill oh. we'll. a. least he could
die like a man. He drew himself together.
his hand upon the doorknob. Tn din out
side came very loudly 10 his ear. And nov,
from far in the ~south-beyond the Cap
came the sullen boom-boom OF cannon.
The battles on" he cried. his tone
thrilling. AM L"
You are here spying,-Shen you might
be fighting with your regiment"
Don't say any more. ! am going now"
Watt"
He paused with hope in bis eyes.
She had undergone q swift revulsion Of
feeling. There had come before her mental
vision a picture Of her Fred, her brother.
in a like position. But then Fred would
never be a spy. BIZ il he we're ordered
Would he not hive u do as his superiors
thought best? Her own brother
shot for a spy!
Don't 60" she ALTERED. Il can't send
you to your death. efen il you are a rebel
and q spy. You may taylor awhile"
ia rather go" he told her proudly
than stsyEdespised-T
"But-5ut what can you 4pect, sir-'
Butch. consider, Cant you under.
stand that I'm doing this tor the love o.
my country. my people. Our cause is al
real TO US, believe me. as IS yours 10 you
You-EEy. you'd do anything for your side
you'd play the spy yourself, You Yankees
don't seem to comprehend tina we Of III,
south are fighting for things as sacred I,
Us as you hold yours-our homes, oul
mothers and sisters. our rights! l am no
a spy Hecause I want to be one; it's dirt
work for a gentleman. And IN a Coltol
and the COltons are known as gentlemen
= But l would do worse were it neeessar.
, and I was called upon He stopped short
|, trying 10 control himself.
He had not thought 70 defend himself. b
had not tried to Justify his course, but b
wanted this girl to understand. Somehow
, il seemed worth while that she should b
made 20 understand.
Then you didn't do this because 20
wanted to- she 6reathed softly. Wit
. something very near TO an eagerness in he
. tone.
NO. but 1 volunteered I had TO. 20
/ see. They called for : volunteer, and Z
one else answered. So ! had to-"
= And they let you go'"
"Of course"
a BIT -ou're only a boy
I'm Is-old enough 10 die. l reckon, an
- - r. -Tu . q -
ond lieutenant. you know. but they prom
Used me a captains commission If"
n mot be missed. Isn't there anyone VII
u cares for you: No mother. no sisters?"
mo. no mother. I've a sister. but mothe
e she's gone"
Though she could not see for the gloor
the tears that filed his eyes, she did Sc
him turn away 10 hide hem. and hear
; the quaver in his voice Motherless hersel
the girls heart went out to the boy.
e I'm so sorry." she said. tsnderly.
\ Thank you"-Eith = gulp that sent III
hot flush OF boyish shame to his cheek
e We'll. I better be going now"
Wait, and I'll slip downstairs and g
you something to eat You're hungr,
is aren't your
II Very. haven't eaten since yesterds
g afternoon. I've been busy" be added, smi
ingly.
Promise me you won't run aSsyT'
d NO fear OF that. But remember. yOl
d are furnishing aid and comfort TO q
q enemy
Indeed, and I'm not" She paused
J. the door and ooked back with just Il
4. slightest touch OF ecquetry. You are
prisoner OF war. You are my prisoner"
le But when the gallant words came TO b
re lips, she Was gone.
Ir He began to pace the floor inpatient
lie his blood as fire in his veins Oh. that
d might be yonder, even in the thick Of u
nt hght With his command. rather than he
OF in s~afety-End Gagged
be How long she Was,
pt What II she should play him false? !
be paused. toEning. and dug his hands de
a. into his pockets Then he smiled; be 81
is her again as che had stopped there a. L
q door 10 say. You are my prisoner
dainty. tsvitehing. q perfection Of gil
re hood.
NJ A rleam Of white 10 the shadow OF q
sofa caught his eye-her handkerchief ]
e stopped and picked Il up. holding IL 81
g gerly in his hand. wondering al its she
texture. damp with her recent tears Pc
60 little girl, What could have made her
20 unhappy A sweetheart gone TO the froI
n- . H q