The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-22

| d y lay on the floor apparently uncon- scious. O'Brien was just getting up. his clothes in rags from the fierce struggle, while Maria sat on the bed, gun still in hand, glaring about her, | but without a shot left. A fellow struck my arm a numbing blow. caus- ing the revolver to drop to the floor. l had seen nothing of Dunn during that fierce rush. but now he stood fronting me, sword in hand and eyes l gleaming in triumph.
 Surrender, you dirty Yankee spy," he shouted. we've got you this time" low. despising the cowardice of his words and scarcely realizing the power he possessed.
 "All right, lieutenant" I returned, holding out my hands. "This happens to be your turn" Two cavalrymen strapped me up un- til I lay like log on the floor. yet the full significance of this did not burst upon me until their work had been accomplished, and again caught sight of Dunn's face.
 "What does this mean?' I insisted indignantly "Am I not to be treated as prisoner of warp
 You'll be treated for what you are. You've done the work of a spy, and you end as spy"
 "But am not one, and you know it. l I came here as a scout in. uniform. l have made no attempt whatever to as sume disguise. am in uniform now"
 That he was by disposition mean, spiteful and cowardly had ample req son. to know: now he possessed means for revenge without danger to himself 1 ''Tieutenant Dunn," I called after
 him. "I might think you in earnest ii
 you were not soldier. but cannot
 believe this of a Confederate soldier" Without even looking at me he pass cd out through the door, and l lay there on my side. watching the ser 1 geant oversee the removal of the oth l CTS. Maria and the older boy were apparently unhurt. but O'Brien had to be supported by two of the men, while ] the younger lad was swung in blan- ] ket. After they had disappeared i've troopers remained, lounging in the doorway. with guns in hand, and the sergeant took time to come over and examine my fastenings. "Your lieutenant is something of 8 1 joker. isn't he?'' questioned | ''Not that ever l heard about" he returned grufly. 'I've suspected him ! of most everything else, but never of that" hf> 1 'You mean he really intends to hang 1 meY'
 'T reckon he does. We all are sol diers," he replied finally. "an' l reckon what the lieutenant says goes. Far as 1 I'm consarned, stranger, a Tanks a Tank. and I'm willin' ter string lem all up if them's the orders. The boys mostly feels like that"
 They set me up where I could lean against the bed, my hands and feet strapped securely, my limbs numb from the tightness of the fastepings. The sergeant sat opposite me in a chair tilted against the wall. his eyes partially closed, but his jaws busy on the tobacco in his cheek, the guard I l,1ocking+ the doorway.
 Dunn had reason to hate me-great- CT reason perhaps than he knew, and sufficient certainly to make him anx- I 1ous to get me out of the way for all time He might not be aware of Jean's real love for Donald. but he did l know of the form of marriage between us. and had every reason to believe that the intimacy of the past few days had created a friendship dangerous to his ambition. My rough treatment of him would never have led to such re- prisal as composing my death as a spy. There must be another cause. and that cause was Jean Denslow. | He stepped in between the guard and stood still staring at me. King" he questioned peremptorily. ssis there any truth in what I have just heard. that those murders in the house were committed by a woman?"
 'tYes,"I said. surprised at the emo ton in his voice. ''I saw her."
 "You saw her! What was she like?'
 GA thin. haggard face. with wild eyes and straggly gray hair" 1 He stopped. gaining control of him. self with an effort. "Do you know what Pm going to do with you? I am going to hang you to that tree yon- der as a Yankee spy"
 l ''That will be brave deed, Lieuten- ant Dunn, but one you are no doubt capable of. But there is one thing you did not dare do-confess your purpose l to Jean Denslow."
 | ''This has nothing to do with her. Oh, know the trick you played on the girl. and believe she will rejoice to be thus easily rid of you. You may not be spy. but you have done spy's work and are going to meet | spy's fate. tConnorsv'
 . The sergeant. who had been watching US through half closed eyes, rose to his feet and saluted.
 1 "Here. sir"
 The sergeant grinned. looking me l over coolly. Dunn evidently knew his man. for he snapped out his orders sharply.
 ''Unstrap his legs and get him on his | feet. Take the fellows jacket off; the collar is too high. Here, Mum, you and Franklin hold him by the arms.