The San Francisco call., 1903-12-27

fed because 1t took place under the
water, but he could hear the batteries
OF the ships as they opened on the
blockade runners and the answer from
the forts, and he knew that something
had happened at any rate. And his
suspense as to that added to his wretch
edness. Lacy had supplanted him and
reaped the glory-again. 1t was mad
dening. No one came to bring him any
word. The general concluded to post
pone his inquiry until the next morning,
and Sempland paced the floor the night
long in pitiable condition Of wounded
love, blasted hope, shattered fame.
At home not far away, poor Fanny
Glen was even more miserable than
Rhett Sempland, for she had OWNED
yes, as soon as the two men had
left her presence the afternoon before,
she had recognized the fact-that she
loved Sempland. Conviction had grown
upon her swiftly, and in those mo-
ments when she was fearful that he
would succeed in his purpose, when she
had kept him a prisoner in her home
to prevent him from taking out the
David to try TO blow up the Wabash,
she knew that she loved him. When he
had held her in his arms, in that bold
and successful effort TO escape, when
he had strained her to his breast, when
he had kissed her-oh, that kiss.-the
consciousness of her passions over
whelmed her. The recollection of it
even filled her with passionate tender
ness. She had not been afraid when he
had threatened her with a pistol. She
could have died easily then-in his
arms, with his kiss upon her lips, his
heart beating against her own. He
loved her! Nothing else mattered for
the moment.
She had endeavored to keep him
prisoner partly for his own sake, but
principally for another and greater
reason. she had not thought of dis
grace or shame to him. 1t had all
come so swiftly. She had no time to
reflect at ALL She had decided upon
impulse, with but one thought at first
to save the Union ship. In her sud
den alarm and anxiety she had not re-
allied that she was playing a traitors
part. Or if she had, she had done IT
willingly in the belief that the pun
ishment would fall upon her. and that
he would be held blameless.
But for whatever reason she had
acted as she had, she had failed after
ALL for another had taken Semplands s
part and the flagship. if the David sue
ceeded, was doomed. Her sacrifice was
unavailing. She had lost everything.
Sempland had shrunk away from her
when she had confronted him and the
general on the wharf, and when she
had recovered consciousness he was
gone. She could not know his heart had
gone out to her lying there and how
they had hurried him away from her
PROSTATE figure. He would never for
give her-neveri she thought misera-
bly,. He was under arrest now. What
was that word she had caught as she
ran up? Coward! They would kill him
perhaps. She had lost all-love, the
ship, everything. Lacy, too, was gone.
He had taken the boat out in Semp
lands place Why had she not thought
of that possibility? And he had loved
her, and he would never come back.
With a misery akin to Semplands
she heard the bombardment which pro-
claimed that something had happened.
Had the flagship been blown up? Moth
ing was left to her. She would go to
the general and tell the truth in the
morning, and then-he would be free.
They could punish her and she could
die. Well, death would be welcome.
Poor little Fanny Gleni She had
played, and played the fool exceedingly
and she had lost on every hand,