Middletown transcript., 1911-11-25
When / awoke, sore from my ha

ing was, indeed, well advanced !
knew from the single ray Of sunlight
which streamed in through grated
window high up in the wall opposite
me and fell like a bar Of gold across
the rough stone floor. l was alone.
Even in the dark of the previous night
/ had discovered the sole pretence to
furniture in the place. The room itself
proved to be large and almost
square apartment, probably during the
ordinary occupancy Of the house q re-
ceptacle for wood or garden produce,
but now peculiarly well adapted to
the safeguarding of prisoners.
The solid stone walls were Of suf-
ficient height to afford no chance Of
reaching the great oak girders that
supported the floor above, even had
the doing 50 offered a favorable open
ing for escape. There were, apparent
ly, but three openings Of any kind
the outside window through which
the sunlight streamed, protected by
thick bars Of iron; a second opening,
quite narrow, and likewise protected
by a heavy metal grating; and the
tightly locked door by means of which
/ had entered. The second, con-
cluded, after inspecting it closely, was
a mere air passage leading into some
other division Of the cellar. noted
these openings idly, and with scarce
ly q thought as to the possibility of
escape. i had awakened with strange
indifference as to what my fate might
be. Such a feeling was not natural
to me, but the fierce emotions Of the
preceding night had seemingly robbed
me Of all my usual buoyancy of hope.
II one sense yet trusted that Mrs.
Brennan would keep her pledge and
tell her story to Sheridan; even If she
failed to do this, and left me to face
the rifles or the rope, then it made
but small odds how soon It should be
over II she cared for me in the
slightest degree she would not let nae
die unjustly, and to my mind then
she had become the centre Of all life.
Dependency Is largely a matter Of
physical condition, ara I was still
sufficiently tagged to be in the depths,
when the door opened suddenly, and
an ordinary army ration was placed
within. The soldier who brought it
did not speak, nor did l attempt to
address him; but after he retired, the
appetizing smell of the bacon, together
with the unmistakable flavor Of real
coffee, drew me irresistibly that way,
and made hearty meal. The food
put new life into me, and I fell to
pacing back and forth between the
corners of the cell, my mind full of
questioning, yet with fresh measure
Of confidence that all would still be
well.
i was yet at 1t when, without warn
ing, the door once again opened, and
Lieutenant Cation entered. He ad-
vanced toward me with outstretched
hand, which grasped warmly, for /
felt how much depended on his friend
ship, and resolved to ask him some
questions which should solve my last |
remaining doubts.
Captain Wayne" he began soberly,
looking about him, you are in even
vorse stress here than ! supposed, |
but / shall see to 1t that you are
furnished with blankets Before leave.
Sheridan is hasty himself, and his
temper often leads him to rash |
language. am sure he bears you no |
malice for what you said. But Bren-
nan has his ear, and has whispered
something to him in confidence-I
what, have been unable to ascertain
which has convinced him that you
are deserving Of death under martial
law"
Without trial?"
The opportunity Of furnishing the
information desired will be again Of
fOred you; but, as near as l can learn,
the charge preferred against you is of
such private nature that 1t Is deemed
best not to make 1t matter for camp
talk Whatever it may be, Sheridan
evidently feels justified IN taking the
case out from the usual channels, and
In using most drastic measures.
am sorry to bring you such news,
especially as believe the charges
are largely concocted In the brain OF
him who makes them, and have but
the thinnest ciEcumstantial evidence
to sustain them. Yet Sheridan is
convinced, and will brook
no Interference. The discussion of the
case has already led to his using ex.
tremely harsh words to his chief Of
staff"
Il am to be shot, then?"
His hand closed warmly over mine.
While there IL life there is always
hope" he answered. Surely It must
be in your power to prove the nature
of your mission within our lines, and
he delay thus gained win enable us
o learn and meet these more serious
Allegations"
III but had time to communicate
With General Lee"
But now-is there no one, no way
" which such representation can be
'iven this very day? II not full proof
II your innocence, then sufficient, at
east, to cause the necessary delay?"
shook my head IT know of moth
ng other than my own unsupported
vord," answered shortly. and that
5 evidently Of no value as against
Gajor Brennan's secret insinuations.
When is the hour set?"
Il am not positive that final de-
'ision has yet been reached, but I
ieard daybreRk tomorrow mentioned.
The probability Of an early movement
4 our troops 10 the excuse urged for
uch unseemly haste" q
remained silent for moment,
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