Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-17
CHAPTER xv1-continued.

| As quickly DIS possible I reviewed tbs
| salient events which had occurred since
| our last meeting. Without denying the
| presence of Major Brennan during my
| stormy meeting with General Sheridan,
| did not dwell upon 1t, nor mention the per
| sonal ARRAY that had occurred between us
| Even had I not supposed the man to be
| her husband should never have taken ad
| vantage of his treachery to advance my
own cause. God knows I have enough
| faiHngs to account for, but have neve,
| done my fighting in the dark. Neither die
I speak of the information I now sought
to bring to Lee. for her sympathy, hel
interest, her loyalty, were all with the
opposing army. She followed my nara
tive eagerly, her eyes growing darker with
intensity of interest as I depicted our
eventful climb up the black chimney. and
| my venture down the stairs into the crowd
ed ballroom. AS I concluded there was q
tear glistening on her long lashes, but she
seemed unconscious of 1t, and made no at
tempt to dash 1t away.
you have not told me all, she COM
mented quietly. But can understand ana
appreciate the reason for your silence. !
know Franks impetuosty, and you are
very kind Captain Wayne, to spare my
feelings, but you must not remain here;
every moment of delay increases your dan
ger. Sheridan and those of his stan VINO
would surely recognize you were expected
back before this and may appear at any
moment-yet how can you get away? How
is it possible for me to assist your
There was an eager anxiety in her face
that piqued me. Like. most lovers, chose
to give 1t a wrong Interpretation.
You are anxious to be rid of me?' l
asked, ashamed of the words even as
uttered them.
THAT remark is unworthy of you" and
almost ".
my sole thought In this is the terrible
risk you incur in remaining here
Your interest then is personal to me,
may / believer q
Il am a loyal woman" proudly, land
would do nothing whatever to imperil the
cause of my country: but your condemna-
ton is unjust, and am, in measure, re-
sponsible for it. 1 assist you, Captain
Wayne. for your own sake. and in response
to my individual sense of honor
God knows 1 could not speak, although
my heart seemed bursting within my bos-
ON. By sheer power of her will, her pride,
her perfect womanhood, she held me from
her as though a wall divided us. Not for
an instant did she permit me to forget
that she was the wife of another.
Have you formulated any plan?' she
asked quickly, and her rising color made
me feel that she had deciphered my strug-
gle in my eyes
.Only to walk out under protection of this
uniform, and when once safe in the open
has thus far befriended me-"
She shook her head dou'btfully, and stood
moment in silence, looking thoughtfully
at the moving figures in the room beyond.
Il fear it cannot be done without arous-
ing suspicion" she said at last, slowly.
Il change to know there are unusual pre-
cautions being taken tonight. and the en-
tire camp Is doubly patrolled. Even this
house has a Gordon of guards about 1t,
but .fop what reason l have not learned.
No" she spoke decisively, there is no
other way. Captain Wayne, l am going
to try to save you tonight, but in doing
SO | must trust my reputation in your
keeping.
Il will protect it with my life
Protect it with your silence, rather.
know you to be a gentleman, or should
never attempt to carry out the only means
of escape which seems at all feasible. Dis
covery would place me in an extremely en-
barrassing position and L must rely upon
you to protecteme from such possibility.
II beg you," began, do not compromise
yourself in any way for my sake .r-
But l am myself already deeply involved
in this she interrupted and l could re-
tain no peace of mind were l to do other
wise. Now listen. Make your way back to
the ballroom, and in fifteen minutes from
now be engaged in conversation with
General Carlton near the main entrance. l
shall join you there, and you will take your
cue from me. You understand?
Perfectly, but
There is no but Captain Wayne, only
do not fail me-
Our eyes met for an instant: what she
read in mine God knows-in hers was de-
termination with daring strange to wom-
an. The next moment she had vanished
through a side door, and l was alone.