The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1905-01-11

~ mics lay awaiting the outcome
Of that flag OF truce
Joy rested over all the wide camps,
but there was none in her heart. She
was conscious only of Il dreadful,
numbing ache and desperate ncces-
sity to see him once more-to tell him.
She had no further plan. The note she
carried from Henry brought her with
out delay to the officer of the day, and
the personal request 1T contained was
not to be denied.
The sun was low when she passed
the inner works and entered Yorktown
between battered walls and gougcd
earth mounds which testified to the
flerceness Of the fire raincd upon the
British by Ferguson's and Machin's
batteries. All about her were honey
eombed streets cluttcred with rich fur
n!ture, empty knapsacks, books, frag-
ments of shells, iron caltrops, carcasses
Of men and horses, and horrors beyond
description.
But she scarcely saw them. He was
to die this night-this highland the
time was so pitifully short. The years
he had fought must count for naught-.
all vanished before the weight of that
one long-passed Philadelphia afternoon.
What should have been his hour of tri-
umph had become his hour Of shame.
And it was by her act.
The thought made her shuddcr as IL
with an aguc. 1t seemed TO her that
God must have been blottcd from the
Aeavens-that there was no hope, no
good, nothing but colossal fate wheel
which was rolling to crush Armand
and her
Where were tine prisoners kept? she
asked some one, who directed her to IL
barrack at the northern end of the
town. Thithcr she pushed her way
over foul refuse heaps and fetid bitches,
through crowds of soldiers shouting
loathsomc doggerel, who jecrcd and
caught at her. and past gold braided
officers who cursed them savagcly and
made place. She noted none of these.
At the barracks entrance she met her
first rebuff when sentry barred her
way.
"You have prisoner" she explained,
her breath futtcring. "IIis name Is
Armand. 1 would see him."
He answered only with an uncom-
pretending stare. AS he turned she
tried to pass through, but he thrust his
muskct across the door, with an angry
HessIan grunt. y knot of soldiers toss
ed some German phrases to him from
behind her, and he smiled at them stol-
idly over her head.
Then she became aware of Il more
kindly military face in the opening be
hind him. a hand touched the Hes
SLAMS shoulder; he faced about, saluted
and moved off, and the knot of straS-
slers melted away.
~ am Colonel Dundas," stated the Of
6cer in the doorway. "Have you per-
mission to see the prisonerY
mo-" she replied patheticaly.
"This is a special order. None save
the commander i'm chief can give such
leave"
She sat down on the stone step, her
eyes half closed, shaken by dry sob
Not even to see him. 1t was CHASTITY
Colonel Dundas was struck with heI
pallor. He was gentleman and hu
name. "The prisoner who dies tonight
is not under recent condemnation
mistress" lie said not unkindly. "Ant
tits said he now holds the rank of colo
mel in the American army. Mayfair
the Continentals will yet make pro
test"
She looked up with wide, miserable
eyes. How could she explain it all t.
him? "There is no time-no time" sh,
said with heavy lips.
He had turned away, but her voic
recalled him. "Where is CORVALLIS
headquarters? Tell me, quick"
"1n the Nelson mansion" he answer
ed. "Hope not on that, though. Sur
render Is dellberated, and the earl 1
| under great strain"
"But he will at least see me-"
He shook his head doubtfully. "Yo,
have still an hour"
Still an hour! How horrible to meas
ure life by minutes! Colonel Dunda
watched her go with frown of pity
| War seemed more than stern to him a
| that moment.
Then he catered the door and sen