Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1911-12-22

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silently motioned for me to enter in
advance of him. 1t was as spacious
room, elegant in all its appointments,
but my hasty glance revealed only
three occupants. Sitting at hand
somely polished mahogany writing
table near the centre of the apart
ment was a short, stoutly built man,
with straggly beard and fierce, stern
eyes. | recognized him at once, al
though he wore neither uniform nor
other insignia of rank. Close beside
him stood colonel of engineers. pos
s-bly his chief of staff, while to the
right. leaning negligently with one
place, and smiling insolently at me,
was Brennan.
The sight of him stiffened me like
drink of brandy, and as the young
aide closed the door in my rear.
stepped instantly forward to the table,
command, and removing my hat. ga
luted
This is the prisoner you sent for.
sir announced the aide.
The officer. who remained seated,
looked at me intently.
Have l ever met you before?" he
questioned. as though doubling his
memory.
you have, General Sheridan" re-
piled. Il was with General Early
during your conference at White
Horse Tavern. also bore a flag to
you after the cavalry skirmish at Will
sons Ford
Il remember" shortly, and as he
spoke he wheeled In his chair to face
Brennan.
Il thought you reported this Off
Ger as spy?" he said sternly. HE
is in uniform, and doubtless told you
his name and rank"
Il certainly had every reason to be-
lieve he penetrated our lines in dis
guise," was the instant reply "This
cavalry cloak was found with him, and
consequently / naturally supposed his
claim of rank to be false"
Sheridan looked annoyed, yet turned
back to me without administering the
sharp rebuke which seemed burning
upon his lips.
Were you wearing that cavalry
cloak within our lines?" he questioned
sternly.
i was not, sir; it was indeed lying
upon the floor Of the hut when Major
Brennan entered. but had nothing to
do with it."
He gazed at me searchingly for a
moment in silence.
Il regret we have treated you with
so little consideration" he said
apologetically. "but you were sup
posed to be merely spy. Nay l
ask your name and rank?"
Captain Wayne. til Virginia Cav
airy"
Why were you within our lines?"
Il was passing through them with
dispatches"
For whom?"
You certainly realize that I must
decline to answer"
Major Brennan" he asked, turn
ing aside again. was this officer
searched by your party?"
He was. sir. but no papers were
found. He stated to me later that his
despatch was verbal"
Had 1t been delivered?"
Il SO understood him."
We'll. how did he account to you
for being where he was found?"
Brennan hesitated, and glanced I'M
easily toward me. Like flash the
thought came that tho man was striv-
ing to keep her name entirely out of
sight; he did not wish her presence
mentioned.
There was no explanation at
tempted" he said finally. He seemed
simply to be hiding there"
"Alone?"
Again l caught his eyes, and it al
most seemed that l read entreaty in
them.
Excepting the wife of the noun.
taineer," he answered hoarsely.
is this true?" asked Sheridan. his
stern face fronting me.
| made my decision instantly. There
might be some reason. possibly her
own request, whereby her being alone
with me that night should remain I'm.
told Very well, 1t would never be
borne to other ears through any fail
ure of my liCs to guard the secret.
She had voluntarily pledged herself to
go to Sheridan in my defense; until
she did so, her secret, if secret in.
deed 1t was. should remain safe with
NE. | could do no less in honor.
1T is not altogether true" | said
firmly, land no one knows this better
than Major Brennan. / was there, as
| told MIN, wholly because OF an ac-
cident upon the road. but as to its par.
ticulars ! must most respectfully de-
cline to answer"
You realize what such a refusal
may mean to your"
Il understand fully the construction
which nay unjustly be placed upon
il by those who desire to condemn
me, but at present l can make no more