Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-11-29

! The officer. who remained seated.
looked at me inten'Iy
Have / ever met you before?" he
questioned, as though doubling his
memory.
You have. General Sheridan" ! 70
piled. Il was with General Early
during your conference at White
Horse Tavern. / also bore a flag 10
you after the cavalry skirmish at VIII
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"
I 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.
Il was not, sir; 1t 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
apoiogetically. but you were sup
posed to be merely a spy. Nay
ask your name and rank?"
Captain Wayne. -th Virginia Cav
airy"
Why were you within our IInes?"
Il was passing through them with
dispatches"
Tor whom?"
you certai y realize that / 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 It been delivered?"
Il so understood him"
We'll. how did he account to you
for being where he was found?"
Brennan hesitated, and glanced un-
easily toward me- Like a 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 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 un.
told. Very we'll, 1t would never DC
borne to other ears through any fail
ure OF my lips 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 Il was, should remain safe with
NE. could do no less in honor
''It is not altogether true" said
firmly. and no one knows this better
than Major Brennan. was there. as
| told MIN, wholly because OF an &C
cident upon the road, but as to its par
ticulars must most respectfully de-
cline to answer"
You realize what such refusal
may mean to your
Il Understand fully the construction
which nay unjustiy be placed upon
IL by those who desirG to condemn
me, but at present / can make no more
definite reply. ] have reason to be-
lieve the full facts will be presented
to you by one In whose word you will
have confidence"
Sheridan Strengthened In his chair.
and looked across the table at me
almost angrily.
ITO BE CONTINuED.)