Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-14
DRIVEN BACK"

just then; he had seen so little of it, had
planned to do so much that was great and
noble. To be cut off now. He saw him
self as he had seen SO many others; quiet
bunch Of rags. perhaps moaning, perhaps
most still. Oh, well, at least he could
die like a man. He drew himself together,
his hand upon the doorknob. The din out
side came very loudly to his ear And now.
from far In the south-beyond the gap
came the sullen boom-boom Of cannon.
1.-The battles on!' he cried. his tone
| thrilling. "And L"
| you are here spying!-.when you might
| be fighting with your regiment!'
| Don't say any more. l am going now
''Wait!'
| He paused with hope in his eyes.
She had undergone a swift revulsion OF
| feeling. There had come before her mental
vision a picture of her Fred, her brother,
in like position. But then Fred would
never be spy. But If he were ordered
thought mou ne oe st A " Her 80 own Brother
Don't CO." she faltered IT can't send
you to your death. even If you are rebel
| and spy. You may stay-for awhile"
I'D rather co." he told her proudly,
| than stay despised"
"But-but what can you expect, sir?"
| but, oh, consider! Can't you under
stand that I'm doing this for the love of
real to US, believe me. as Is yours to you.
You-why, you'd do anything for your side;
you'd play the spy yourself! You Yankees
| don't seem to comprehend that we of the
south are fighting for things as sacred to
| us as you hold yours-our homes, our
mothers and sisters. our rights! l am not
/ spy because l want to be one; it's dirty
| work for a gentleman. And I'm Cotton
and the Coltons are known as gentlemen.
4 But I would do worse were 1t necessary
and called uponv He stopped short, try
| ing to control himself
| He had not thought to defend himself,
| he had not tried to justify his course:
| but he wanted this girl to understand.
| Somehow, 1t seemed worth while that she
should be made to understand.
Then you didnt-do this because you
| wanted tor she breathed SOFTLY with
something very near to an eagerness In her
| tone.
| "No; but I volunteered had to, you
| see. They called for a volunteer, and no
| one else answered. So I had to-"
And they let you go?'
"Of course"
But you're only boy
I'm nineteen-old enough to die, I reck-
| on, an-and not be missed much. I'm only
a second lieutenant, you know; but they
promised me captains mission if
mot be missed? Isn't there anyone who
cares for you? No mother, no sisters?"
mo. no mother. I've sister, but mother
she's gone"
Though she could not see for the gloom
| the tears that filled his eyes, she did see
quaver in his voice. Motherless herself, the
girls heart went out to the boy.
I'm. so sorry" she said tenderly.
THANK you'-with a gulp that sent the
hot flush of boyish shame to his cheeks
''Well better be going now
"Wait, and I'll slip downstairs and get
you something to eat You're hungry, aren't
your
Every. haven't eaten since yesterday at
ternoon I've been busy" he added smiling.
Promise me you won't run away?"
mo fear Of that. But remember, you are
furnishing aid and comfort to an enemy
Indeed, and I'm mott" She paused at the
door and looked back with just the slight
est touch Of coquetry "Yeu are prisoner
of war. You are my prisoner
But when the gallant words came to his
lips she was gone.
He began to pace the floor impatiently,
his blood as fire In his veins. o, that he
might be yonder. even In the thick Of the
fight with his command. rather than here
in ssafety-and cagedi
How long she was!
What II she should play him false? He
paused, frowning, and dug his hands deep
into his pockets. Then he smiled; he saw
her again as she had stopped there at the
dainty, hewitching. perfection of girlhood.
= .leam of white in the shadow of the
sofa caught his eye-her handkerchief. He
stopped and picked 1t up, holding 1t GIN
gerly in his hand, wondering at its sheer
texture, damp with her recent tears. Poor
little girl! What could have made her SO
unhappy? A sweetheart gone to the front?
Some worthless Yankee doubtless He felt
extremely vindictive toward this imas-