Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-04

his mysterious spell. and you viii be
compelled to face tho danger alone, as
here comes Lieutenant Hammersmith
to claim the dance I've promised
him"
Before Mrs. Brennan could inter
fere. the laughing girl had placed her
hand on the Lieutenant's blue sleeve,
and. with q mocking goodbye flung
backward over her shoulder, vanished
in the crowd, leaving us standing
there alone.
The lady waited in much apparent in
difference. gently tapping the floor
with her neatly shod foot.
would you be exceedingly angry
II l were to ask you to dances"
questioned, stealing surreptiuously a
glance at her proudly averted face.
Angry? Most assuredly not" in
apparent surprise. yet trust you
will not ask me. have been upon
the floor only once tonight. l am
not at all in the mood"
eff there were chairs here should
venture to ask even greater favor
that you would consent to sit out this
set with me-"
She turned slightly. lifted her eyes
inquiringly to mine, and her face
lightened.
NO doubt we might discover seats
without difficulty In the auteroem,"
she answered, indicating the direction
by glance. There do not appear to
be many 'sitters' at this ball, and tho
few who do are not crowded"
The apartment contained, as she
prophesied, but few occupants, and
conducted her to the farther end Of
it, where We found comfortable
divan and no troublesome naighbors.
AS l glanced at her now. marked
distinct change in her face. The
old Indifference, so well assumed
while we were in the presence OF
others, had utterly vanished as BY
magic, and she sat looking at me in
anxious yet inapetuous questioning.
Captain Wayne" she exclaimed.
her eyes never once leaving my face,
what does this mean? this masquer-
ade9 this wearing OF tho Federal uni
form? this taking Of another's name7
this being here at all?"
IT should say that came hoping
to see you again." answered, scarce
knowing how best to proceed or how
far to put confidence in her. what
would you Think"
IF that is true, that you were ex-
tremely foolish to take such a risk for
so small reward" she returned calm
ly. Nor. under these circumstances.
would remain here so much as q
moment to encourage you. But 1t IL
not true. This is no light act: your
very life must lie in the balance, or
you could never assume such risk"
Il would trust you gladly with my
life OF my honor" I replied soberly.
IF l had less faith in you / should
not be here now. l understand that
I am condemned to b shot as q SPY
at daybreak."
"shot? On what authority? Who
told you?"
"On the order of General Sheridan.
My informant was Lieutenant Cation.
Of his staff
"shot? AS a SPY? Why, 1t surely
cannot be! Frank said Captain
Wayne. believe me, knew absolute
ly nothing of all this. Do you think
l should ever have rested IL had
dreamed that you we're held under SO
false q charge? promised you I
would see General Sheridan on your
behalf. Frank" she bit her lip i'm.
patiently-"I was told, that is, I was
led to believe that you were-had been
sent North as a prisoner Of war late
last night Otherwise ! should have
insisted upon seeing you-on plead.
ing your cause with the General him
self. The major and breakfasted with
him this morning, but your name was
not mentioned. for I believed you
safe"
She did not appear to realize, so
deep was her present indignation and
regret. that my hand had found rest
ing place upon her own.
You must believe me. Captain
Wayne; I could not bear to have you
feel that could prove such an in.
crate"
"You need never suppose I should
think that" replied. with an earnest
ness Of manner that caused her to
glance at me in surprise. II con-
ldently expected to hear from you all
day, and finally when no word came
l became convinced some such mis-
conception as you have mentioned
must have occurred. Then it became
my turn to act upon my own behalf
IL would preserve my life; yet never