The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-05-29

best he kin. Now l remember
Curse you," shouted Rory. Make ready-pre-
sent-fire,"
Hilliard waited the third discharge confidently. and
his confidence was justified. Rory was beside HIM
sell.
III show you, You Internal, sentimental hounds"
he said in low, tense tones. whether the Confederate
army Is to be held up TO ridiCulc by youi III show
YOU that death for that blasted Yankee lies in nv
hands as well as yours, You can't shoot cam"
Hilliard saw the lifted revolver. and knew that now
indeed he was past help. Not one of the men would
dare to interfere. The hand that held the pistol WAS
steady as a rock. the eyes that guided the muzzle
as cold and keen as steel.
Shoot then. You butcher" billiard heard himself
saving. and then he Saw the pistol struck upward,
the bullet w3Sting itself in the clouds. while to Rory
chung 4 whitc-liprcd. bloody and desperately deter
mined young fellow. whom the guns had Stung into
consciousness. and who now. at its very elimination,
cloggcd the wheels OF the law. Mansfield held like 4
lmpet to the Disconnected Captain, and cried out
frantically to a horseman who galloped up.
What the deuce" growlcd the deep chest tones of
the General. whose black stallion. famous for his fleet
ness. had far outriddcn his badly mounted companions.
Whats this disgraceful scene: Nephew, you should
be in bed, to judge from your appearance. Captain
Rory, what in Lucifer did those three fusiladcs
mean"
Mansfield let go OF the Capt. in. md staggering TO his
uncle's side supported himself 10y the stirrup. while
Rory haStilv and eloquentlv cxplsincd how the prisoner
had eScapcd, how he. Rory. hid quickly rccapturcd
him. and how the Adjutant in a moment of weakness
had supposed that he. Rory. would permit the Generals
sentence to he delayed for the sentimental c~onSidcra-
tons suggested by the .Adjutant. How the file, in
their mutinouS sympathy for IN enemy he'd wantonly
delayed the whole atfair. driving him. Rory, to the
diSagrce2ble task Of shooting the man himself.
Captain Rory sid the General grayely. Il con-
graduate you. Some part of this tale | have already
heard from Hercules. You have given an interesting
sequel. You are. in your PraiScworthy efforts, no
doubt worthy to be classed with the ancient Romans"
My God, unclci' cried his nephew. Captain Rory
promised me he would wal, for YOU. And this escaped
spy-if he is 4 spy-Stood guard over me. knowing it
meant his recapture. knowing it meant death
Patience, nephew, patience" returned the General
calmly. 'Captain Rory held to the letter Of the law.
Yet he might have lccn reasonably sure of my deep
regret if my sentence had been carried out on the man
who gave his liberty to save his enemy. Lieutenant
billiard, you have fairly bought both pardon and
exchange. You may leave us when YOU will-onlv |
trust" added the General. with a flicker at the corners
of his composed mouth. that YOU will stay long
enough to sample Hercules delayed t~lapjacks."
"I!' stammered billiard, as Camp hurried forward
and freed him with Il slash of his knife. Il"
But words seemed slipping from him in the reaction
following the terrible half-hour just pest. The General
understood and used the best remedy.
Help my nephew. Lieutenant IIilliard," he said
sharply; he seems too weak to stand alone"
The Lieutenant obcyed inStinctiyely. and this forced
aid to another cleared his own Keeling senses.
I'm not too weak To settle with a trlitor." de-
clared Mansfield paSSi"natclv. 1t WIS this same
Captain Rory who drove a knife in me from ambush!
oh, YOU may well turn white and clcnch Your hands.
my Captain. l can offer proof that viii show You up
As you are. and His ovcrtaxcd strength gave way.
His head dropped on the Unionist's shoulder.
billiard laid him gently on the ground, just as the
staff and Kate herself drew rein al the gate.
The General turned sharply to Rory: Consider
yourself under arrest. he said curtly. =