The San Francisco call., 1903-12-27

the odium OF his situation the young
officer, whose family history, no less
than his personal character, absolute
ly negatived the idea OF cowardice or
treachery.
General Beauregard hoped that by
questioning him quietly and calmly
and by representing TO him the dread
full situation in which he found hin-
self. he might induce him to clear
UP the mystery. He spoke to him
kindly, therefore, when he was ushered
into the room and bade him be seated
He marked with seldierly apprecia-
tion Of the lieutenant's feelings the
evidences OF his sleepless night, the
anguish Of his soul, in the haggard look
upon his face.
Mr.. Sempland," he began with inn
pressive and deliberate gravity, care-
fully weighing his words that they
might make the deeper impression
upon the younger man, for whom he
felt profound pity, you bear one Of
the noblest names in the common
wealth. I knew your father and your
grandfather. They were men Of the
highest courage and OF unimpeachable
honor. Their devotion to the South
cannot be questioned. 1 grieve more
than 1 can say to find you in so
equivocal a position. am convinced
that there is some explanation for it
and / ask you, not as your general,
but as your friend, to disclose 1T TO
me-
You called me a coward last night,
sir"
In the heat of my disappointment
and surprise I did make use Of that
term, sir 1t was a, mistake. re-
gret it," said the general magnani-
mously. II do not believe your fall
ure to take out the David arose from
any fear"
This was a great concession indeed.
and Sempland was intensely relieved
and an immense load was lifted from
his breast by the generals reassuring
words.
''Sir, I thank you could have borne
anything than that"
But, my boy continued the gen.
eral, severely, you remember you still
lie under the imputation of treachery
to the South, and you will recognize
readily that is a scarcely less terrible
accusation than the other"
General BeaLregard, believe me,
sir" burst out SAmpland impetuously,
II pledge you my word of honor,
I am not a traitor to the South;
would die for my country gladly If 1t
would DO her service. I fully intend
ed to take out re David. begged
for the detail and was thankful be-
yond measure to-.you for giving 1t to-
me. 1 was overwhelmed with anger
and dismay and torror at my failure.
/ swear to you, 81, by all that Is good
and true, by everything holy. that 1t
wastnot my faultsaIiat was not there
-I-I-was detained"
Detained? BS whom 2"
Sempland onlt bit his lip and
looked dumbIy the general.
Come, my boy want to help you,'
said the veteran officer persuasively.
''Who. or what, detained you? Where
were you detained? 1t must have been
some manor was 1t woman? Tell
me, and by heavens, I'll make such
an example of the traitor as will never
be forgotten in South Carolina or tha
Confederacy!"
Il cannot, sir"
Think! Your rank. your honor, II
may be your life, all depend upon
your answer! You are .concealing
something from me. You do not
answer" continued Beauregard keen
Iy scanning the face of the young man
standing before him in stubborn
silence. Il see that you are shielding
some one, sheltering some unworthy
person. Who is it?''
Still no answer. The generals pa
thence was gradually vanishing in the
face of such obstinacy. Yet he re-
strained his growing anger and contin-
ued his questioning.
Where did you go after you left
me?"
ITO my quarters, sir; to write a let
ter"
Were you there all the timer"
"No, sir"
Where did you go after the letter
was written?"
No answer.
Major Lacy said''- began the
general, changing his tactics.
Did he tell you?" cried Sempland in
sudden alarm and dismay.
HE knew, then?" exclaimed the gen.
eral, triumphant in his clew. mo, he
didn't tell He never will tell now.
have learned from a picket boat that
was captured last night by one of our
patrols that nothing was seen of the
David after the explosion"
Poor Lacy" said Sempland. well,
sir. he died the death of his choice"
yes" said Beauregard. Little in
life became him as the ending of It,"
A little silence fell between the two
in the room.
"And might have been there" said
Sempland at last.
81 had rather see you dead. sir, than
in your present case" commented the
general deftly.
''Yes, sir, and I'd rather be there"
returned the young man; but IL beg
your pardon, general; were they sue
cessful?"
I'm a measure. They missed the Wa
bash, but they blew up the Housa-
tonic"
did the cotton ships get out?"
Unfortunately, no. One Of them was
sunk. The other two returned in safe
ty. But all this is beside the question.