The San Francisco call., 1903-12-27
CHAPTER TX.

tained by me"
That doesn't excuse him." said the
general sever ely. ANY man who fails
in his duty because he succumbs 10 a
woman's wiles, even though that wo-
man loves him. has no plea to urge in
justification. He is a soldier. His duty
70 obey orders is first of all"
"But-but-you don't understand.
kept him there by force, sir. Ma
jor Lacy told me of the expedition-he
and Mr.. Sempland had called upon me
in the afternoon. They-they had each
Of them asked me-in-marriage We
we quarreled. Mr.. Sempland left me in
anger. Major Lacy OWNED that Il
cared for Mr.. Sempland He came back
later in the evening and told me Mr..
Sempland was going TO blow up the
wabash, and he begged me to see Mr..
Sempland again and bid him good-by.
] had only two thoughts-that it meant
certain death to my father and possibly
Mr Sempland-the mani What
was / to do? 1 might have sacrificed
myself by letting Mr.. Sempland run the
risk. but M father. sir"
She stopped and looked at him in pit
iful entreaty.
Go on said the general infiexibiy.
L had Mr.. Sempland ushered into
the strong room of the house-the old
Rennie house, you know. sir?"
The general nodded.
The door was locked on him after
he entered. Ny three negro boys kept
watch outside. There was no escape
for him. He beat and hammered on
the door until his hands bled. He
begged and implored to be released. 1t
was agonizing TO hear. did not real
lie that he was telling the truth when
he said he was being dishonored. L
had no time to consider anything. L
only thought of my father-helpless on
that great ship-the sudden rush OK
that awful little boat"
You were a traitor to the South.
said General Beauregard coldly.
Yes. God pity me, 1 see it now. an
swered the girl.
How did he get away? Did you re-
lease him?" continued the general
He swore that he would kill him
self if ] did not open the door"
Did you open it?"
Yes"
Then did he burst through you and
the men?"
NO. They were armed and would
made his escape that way. He begged
me to speak to him alone for a mo-
ment ] went into the room and shut
the door. He seized me in his arm
and put his pistol to my head. threat
ening to kill me il I did not order the
door opened.
And you obeyed?"
No. 1 refused. Then he called out
to the slaves to open at once or he
would kill me. their mistress"
What happened them"
Y ordered them not to open the door,
10 let me die. But they did as he said
He made them leave the hail. They
obeyed him il spite Of my protests.
Then he threw me aside and ran TO the
wharf. I followed after. The rest you
know. 1t was useless after all.
thought no one would go if he did not
/ thought if / could detain him a night
get some delay-I would come here in
the morning and tell you the truth and
ask --ou to spare my father"
Miss Glen" said the little general
4 would not spare my own father if
my duty demanded that he be sacri-
feed"
Il suppose so. You are a man, you
cannot understand. I am a woman
There were but two I loved on earth
I was ashamed of my father, but I
loved him. Four -rears of war have
taught me other things. I am sorry
that he did not go with the South. but
il is rot for me to judge him. I could
not see him condemned to death and
rot raise a hand TO save him. And
discovered too late that I-I-cared for
Mr. SemDland- I drove him from me
in scorn and contempt-I taunted him.
He sought that detail to prove his
cours ge: could not let him go to GER
tain death. II he did it would be my
fault would have murdered him.
Pity me, ] am only woman. Try to
understand
But the young man has proven his
courage"
Il know. ] know, never doubted
it." she interrupted.
by keeping silent this morning. by
facing certain death upon charges that
are worse than the punishment to a
soldier. in that they blast his fame"
Thank God for that kindness to
me-"
And he did all this for you"
He loves me, jas 1 love him"
But your love. has disgraced him. his
has protected you
The girl shrank before the stern
words c. the soldier.
yes" she said family, 'ft is as you
say. 1 alone am to blame. Let mine
alone be the punishment. I will tell all
to the court. He must be clearedi'
1T is just" said Beauregard. You
have committed an act Of treason
against the South. There is, however,
soroe axcf1se for vOflr action and xorr
previous record in the hospital service
has been such as to entitle you to every
consideration. I am disposed to be
lenient. but the offense is one 1 cannot
condone. I will have TO put you under
guard until can consider what is best
to be done" I
Il make no protest" said Fanny Glen. i
You will, Of course. release Mr.. Semp-