The Washington times., 1911-06-19

a great broad-shouldered, beard
ed cavalier. His golden spurs clanke6
as he walked; he doffed his plumed hal
with an Irresistible air of boyish vanity
and as one of the Presidents little sons
came running out, he caught UP the
child in his arms with frank laughter.
"Gen'ral Jeb Stuart" shrilled the lad
At the name arose a joyful sound
and as he entered in where the lights
and music and laughter were, bearing
the child on his shoulder, a clapping OF
hands greeted him who was without
fear or reproach.
How long her dreamy, apathetic state
continued Della had no defined idea.
she was aroused at last by the coming
of her Uncle Philip. whom some one
had found wandering confusedly among
the crowds and kindly guided thither.
The old recluse was much annoyed by
the tumult Of sights and sounds, and
several times expressed a wish to re-
turn home. He still seemed unable to
comprehend the purpose of Della S
attendaTce; he mildly reproached her
gathering when the family should be
mourning. 1t was evident ne nad form
ed some dim notion that Floyd was al
ready dead.
At length Jefferson Davis appeared,
unattended. He closed the door. asking
them to pardon the long deIay as he
had been unable until then to slip away
from his duties as host. Turning up the
gas jet, he begged them both to be seat
ed, for they had arisen when he en-
tered.
Now" said he in a kindly tone, seat
ing himself opposite Della, tell me
again what you were trying TO say out
there in that noise and crowd"
First I told You / must have an op-
portunity to speak with you tonight, be-
cause my brother is sentenced to be
shot tomorrow at sunrise. the girl an
swered. Her manner was desperately
quiet: her voice calm, save that her
tremulous, repressed breathing made
the words quiver a little. You told me
you told me was only adding to my
unavailing sorrow by seeking such all
Interview"
Davis, who had clasped lis hands
upon his knee, made a helpless sort OF
gesture, unclasping his hands and clasp
ing them again.
II know what you will ask of me- he
said. But what can do? We are in a
state of war. War is fundamentally
merciless. We cannot wage II upon the
principles that Christ laid down. Here
we are, struggling for life and liberty
against an overwhelming mass of in
Taders who test every joint of our
ermor. A weak point was revealed to
the enemy by one of our trusted Off
GERS; and had it not been fo- the mill
itary genius of General Lee and the in
trepidity of his men. our life and liberty
had been lost at Charlottesville. Now,
TsSs6 Ga fO,gys Ss4yes such S Bsraya IA ,s
defense makeseVery such act not only so
odious, but 50 dreadful in Its punish
ment, that others who may hereafter,
under temptation, contemplate the like,
will be deferred in time
He explained patiently and fully, as to
child, for the girls entire Quietude Of
woe affected him more than frantic
tears and prayers would have DONE but
ha S7a a
results. She sat waiting dumbly till he
had finished, and then said:
Il told you / knew my brother was
innocent, that he was the victim of, cir
cumstances."
. Alas! it is always so to the relatives.
Human nature is loath TO accept evil
dence that its loved ones have done
anything base. But, you see, the court
partial investigation. And l cannot ar
bitrarily set such DEGREES aside. Believe
me, my dear young lady, !, too, have
given careful thought to this matter.
excellent, his birth and connections so
good, that If could see single doubt,
q single circumstance incongruOuS
enough to leave a possibility of mistake
] should probe Ii to the bottom before
allowing the sentence tC be carried out
1T was for that reason l implored TO
speak with you"
Yes, I remember now you did say
something about new proof. In the
noise and confusion hardly understood
you
Il promised you to bring proof of his
innocence If you would but grant him
Teprieve."
Jefferson Davis gently shook his head
in a deprecatory way. There were al
ways these desperate promises of new
evidence about to be obtained, promises
that were never fulfilled.
Was there not time enough before
trial to collect all the evidence? Why,
you even urged a speedier hearing"
He made a movement as ii about to
rise and end the interview, when Della
cried:
is no blind chance l count on. Indeed,
indeed, / was promised the evidence.
know that there is such proof know
who has II"
Impressed by her words and manner,
the President turned sharply upon her.
WHO has It?
sailed her. If she revealed tie hated
name the President might harden his
heart to the plea, or ignore e as the
mere vaporlngs of insanity"
please do not ask me that" she
implored. There are reasons why I
must not name him until he names
himself. And yet"
"Yet you say positively, as a fact,
that evidence of your brothers inno-
gray eyes were intently searching her
face to detect the least sign OF Insin-
certify there.
Really and truly, he did delcare to
me my brother was innocent, and he
would not let him die
This person is a white man.
Yes, sir"
Then why did he not come forward
at the trial and testify?"
''Because-because there were circum-
stances which made that impossible"
''Strange" And President Davis bit
his lip, rejecting. How much time do
you require in which to produce this
new evidence?'
"Oh," she hesitated, Il cannot say.
Till two weeks ago l kept In touch with
him constantly. But then-something
happened. 1t will be necessary for me
to find him again. Please give me some
time for my brother has no friends now
but memo my brother has no friends
now but memo friends but me!'
The President, who had arisen and
stepped toward the table. turned sharp
ly on her again at that.
You say your brother has no friends
now but your he demanded. Then,
are you not aware that last night a
bold attempt was made to rescue your
brother-that the turnkey was overpow-
cred, his cell opened, and he invited to |
escape?"
e ITO rescue my brother" Her bewil- |
dered manner was denial sufficient.
AYE, and nothing prevented your
brothers escape except his own inexpn-
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