The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-10-11

thdi iTleHu, Il DrOlneT oHiEef OF pafe -
ami this conversation had led her to
look more leniently upon Dare's Of
Tense. He was a brave. single.heart-
ed. heightened fellow, the friend had
said; ~sinsnlarly inexperienced in tho
ways OF the world. and. where photo
graphs were concerned, scarcely re-
sponsible for his actions. In this
case, his error might be visited with
sal from the service. Daphne had
vainly e~ndeavored TO persuade her
papa TO withdraw his charges. And
now-would the captain give her the
unfortunate picture, that she might
at once destroy It?
Amyas sighed deeply; however, he
brought out the picture, beautifully
developed and inclosed In an envelope.
He gave 1t to Miss 81. Cyr, who gave
II to her maid to carry.
The officers appointed to act upon
the case of Capt. Amyas Dare.
charged with conduct u%ubecoming III
officer and a gentleman had met. re.
ceived all the evidence collected, and
were about to make their final de-
cision.
Bound to the strictest justice and
impartlality, they did not propose to
let any feeling OF sympathy for the
accused influence their verdict. They
had the dignity OF the service to up
hold. with all Its immortal traditions:
and Dare's conduct had been In the
last degree inconsistent with these.
An unfavorable verdict seemed immi-
nent: when, to the surprise OF all, the
captain. who had had very little to
say In his own behalf, asked that =
witness be summoned. II was sup.
posed that all available testimony had
been gathered, But Dare explained
that the only real witness for the de-
Tense was the ankle photographed on
the fatal occasion,
A short discussion followed, which
ended In dispatching a messenger To
the st. Cyr residence a few blocks
away.
The messenger returned In haste,
and with a grin handed Hon. Ever
ards reply to the officer whose ad-
dress 1t bore, 1t was a defiance. pure
and simple. OF military tribunals In
general and of this one In particular.
II contained an absolute refusal. In
language more forclble than polite. tn
send Miss 81. Cyr's ankle.
What was to be done? The officers
conferred together, and n Of them
undertook to call on Hon Everard.
and use his persuaslons.
He soon returned, discounted; and
Amyas, feeling fate against him, was
obliged to waive the appearance Of
his witness.
He had nearly given himself up to
despair, when the door softly opened,
and a trim little yelled woman en-
tered. 1t was Ceasarine. Daphne's
maid. She held In her neatly gloyed
hands a dainty little box. She looked
about her for an instant, then laid II
in the hands of a gray haired colonel.
the oldest officer present.
The colonel united the cord that se-
cured the box, and removed the wrap.
pings. one OF silver paper and n OF
tissue. He reverently drew forth
the ankle-and placed 1t on the table
before him, All came forward to In.
spect II. No one spoke.
1t was a wonderful ankle. In a few
seconds IL had cast a spell oyer the
entire company.
The colonel was nearsighted. no
adjusted his glasses and bent a little
lower over the object OF interest.
The silence was broken by the voice
Of Capt. Dare
Gentlemen, / esk you--looking ut
this shoe, with Her foot In Il, was I
to blame?"
Colonel" said the youngest mem
Der OF the tribunal. rising. have you
ever read Ninety. Three"
Perhaps | have" said the colonel.
III so, I don't remember It. What OF
IT."
Only this: I am going to emulate
sergt. Radoub. II any man, with eyes
In his head and a heart In his body.
could preserve entire sanity while
looking at--That-court-martial met
Dismiss me from the seryice!" And
he sat down.
Capt. Delgardc for acquittal,' said
the colonel. And, one after another.
the remaining officers gave the YER
dict "Acquittal;" lastly, the gray.
haired colonel himself.
Amyas breathed once more.
"vive ces Messieurs!" said Cesar.
inc, softly. n