Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-11-03

I "I have done nothing to be ashamed of. swear havs not!'
 "Whatever it Is. and I don't care what it is," she said deliberately, '1t is something quite serious. MT. Armi- tage. My brother"-
 She hesitated for a moment, then spoke rapidly.
 My brother has been detailed to help in the search for you. He is at Storm Springs now.'
 "But he doesn't understand
 My brother is soldier. and it is not necessary for him to understand" And you have done this-you have come to warn me-
 Tt does look pretty bad," she said, changing her tone and laughing lit tie. But my brother and I've all ways had very different ideas about you, MT. Armitage. We hold briefs for different sides of the case"
 "Oh, I'm case, am IY' And he caught gladly at the suggestion of lightness in her tone. "But I'd really like to know what he has to do with my affairs"
 Then you will have to ask him."
 '"To be sure. But the government can hardly have assigned Captain Clai- borne to special duty at NJ. Chauve- nets request. I swear to you that I'm as much in the dark as you are"
 "I'm quite sure an officer of the line would not be taken from his duties and sent into the country on any friv- olous errand. But perhaps an ambas- sador from great power made the re- Quest-perhaps. for example, it was Baron von Marhof."
 Good Lordr'
 Armitage laughed aloud.
 "I beg your pardon. really beg your pardon! But is the ambassador looking for me?'
 "I don't know, MT. Armitage. You forget that Pm only traitor and not spy"
 You are the noblest woman in the world" he said boldly, and his heart leaped in him, and he spoke on with fierce haste You have made sacri- fees for me that no woman ever made before for a man-for man she did not know. And my life, whatever it is worth, every hour and second of it, 1 lay down before you, and it is yours to keep or throw away. I followed you halfway round rhe world, and shall follow you again and as long as live. And tomorrow or the day after shall justify these great kindnesses, this generous confidence, but tonight have work to do."
 As they stood on the verge of the de file by the bridge that swung out from the cliff like a fairy structure they heard far and faint the whistle and low rumble of the night train south bound from Washington, and to both of them the sound urged the very real and practical world from which for little time they had stolen away.
 'T must go back" said Shirley and turned to the bridge and put her hand on its slight iron frame, but he seized her wrists and held them tight.
 "You have risked much for me, but you shall not risk your life again in my cause. You cannot venture across that bridge again."
 She yielded without further parley, and he dropped her wrists at once.
 Please say no more. You must not make me sorry l came. I must go. should have gone back instantly"
 But not across that spiders web. You must go by the long road. will give you a horse and ride with you into the valley"
 Tt is much nearer by the bridge, and have my horse over there"
 'We shall get the horse without trou- ble," he said. and she walked beside him through the starlighted wood. AS they crossed the open tract she said:
 "This Is the Port of Missing Men"
 'Yes, here the lost legion made it's last stand There lie the graves of sou,e of them. It's a pretty story. I hope some day to know more of it from some such authority as yourself" 'T used to ride here on my pony when I was a little girl and dream about the gray soldiers who would not surrender. It was as beautiful as an old ballad. I'll wait here. Fetch the horse" she said, land hurry. please"
 "If there are explana tions to make'- he began, looking at her gravely.
 '1 am not person who makes ex- plantations, MT. Armitage. You may meet me at the gate"
 As he ran toward the house he met Oscar, who had become alarmed at his absence and was setting forth in search of him.
 Come; saddle both the horses, Os- car," Armitage commanded.
 They went together to the barn and quickly brought out the horses.
 You are not to come with me, Os- car"
 "A captain does not go alone. It should be the sergeant who is sent yesT
 ''It is not an affair of war, Oscar, but quite another matter. There is a saddled horse hitched to the other side of our abandoned bridge. Get it-and ride 1t to Judge Clatborne's stables and ask and answer no questions"
 A moment later he was riding to-