The Washington times., 1911-06-17
THE VINTAGE
Bv JOSEPH STARTS


already"
spond ent silence. Thus half an hour
passed.
A sudden scraping of feet and move
ment of chairs in the next room, as
though a session were ended, made
them all start. Della sprang up
quickly and went to the window to con-
CeaI her agitation. The noise ceased
however and nothing came of II.
Captain Combs, with an affectation
of Indifference, picked up a copy OF
the Richmond Dispatch which was
columns. The old man continued
musing as before, his eyelids half
closed.
Here's another Of President Davis
negroes run away" commented FLOYD.
'A-man named Cornelius"
Hin" murmured Philip Vaughan alb
sently. Mr.. Davis seems particularly
unfortunate with his servants"
Il suppose" Floyd went on. brayeiy
attempting to laugh, that this negro Is
now safe and sound under the wing OF
Don't" said Della sharply Don't
name him. Oh, 1 wish I'd never seen
or heard of that horrible monster!
I wish I'd never told you o, OF v Nun
1 wish-I wish they'd catch and hang
him! do! l do!'' The tears that
had long been gathering In her eyes
fell and she broke into subdued but
historical SobbinS.
Down the corridor sounded the open
ing of a door. then a brisk approach OF
footsteps. An orderly stepped into the
room.
Sir" said he to Captain Coombs.
the court-martial has reached its de-
cision. II awaits YOU
VERY WE'LL quietly answered the
prisoner.
TOO proud. in his boyish soldIerhooJ,
to betrnv either haste or reluctance. he
stood up at once and walked through
the hall to the next room, followed by
his sister and his uncle.
BEHIND a long table. in the large room
to which the prisoner was summoned.
sat half a dozen Confederate officers of
various ranks and branches Of the serv-
fee. their faces sternlv composed into
gravity BETTING so solemn sn occasion.
Yet a certain embarrassment was mani
fest among them as Floyd CoOmbs en-
in the sheets of yellow note-paper scat
tered on the table before them: two or
three cleared their Threats. and looked
over at a portly, venerable major of
artillery who sat at the head of the
table and was bCsilv writing with
quill pen.
The Youthful prisoner stood out alone
before his Judges, head up, shoulders
squared, apparently the calmcst person
in the room. Behind him. in a little
SlODu Ills pare SlSltI, NldSplIiS
her uHcle's arm, ard the orderly ard
the sentinel. all grave, silent, watchful.
For long, long minute the presiding
officer continued to write: the loud
scratching of his quill alone broke the
hush that had fallen on the room. At
last he laid the quill aside, took off his
glasses. folded them, inserted them in
his Spectacle-case, and cleared his
throat by a sudden effort. 1t was ap-
parent. then: that much Of his stoicism
was assumed
He began 10 read aloud from what he
had written:
The commission, after mature de-
liberation ou the evidence adduced. find
the accused. Capt. FLOYD Coombs, as
Of the charge-GuiltY. And the commits
sion do therefore. sentence him, the
said Floyd Coombs, TO be forthwith de-
graded from the rank he has disgraced,
to be dishOnorab bly, discharged from the
military service Of the Confederate
manner. and at such time and place, as
shall be directed by the commanding
officer Of this district"
Now, for the first time, he ventured
to look directly at the condemned man.
who, except that he had grown much
paler. gave 10 sign Of weakness. 'Pris-
oner, have you anything to say?'
Nothing" replied the prisoner in
low, firm voice. 'only to say again.
AM not guilty
In the dismal pause that followed
Jecp sigh could be heard from where
his sister stood. That was all. There
was no melodramic scene about II, no
wild lamentation. There is a fulness of
the heart sometimes that preclude ex-
preston.
Let the prisoner be led out" said the
presiding officer. ana beCkoned to the
sentinel to conduct him away.
Della slipped forward, put her arms
around her brother in a lingering caress.
and moaned softly to him. He submit
ted quite passively. and at last gently
removed her arms from his neck. AS he
was following the sentinel out, he
paused just an instant TO TOUGH his
uncle's hand. Perhaps he could not
trust himself to speak. Afterward. while
court rose, old Philip Vaughan remained
standing in the middle of the floor. be-
gan slowly 20 draw on his mittens, and
stared around him.
Il believe" he muttered. 81 believe.
nv dear-h-m-there is no further need
of cur remaining. I nave some writing
to do. Let us make our apologies"
Nevertheless, he did not move, al
though she took him by the arm and
tried to draw him away.
TT is quite odd" he observed, and
stared around him again, smiling. at is
quite odd what 1 could have done with
my hat"
She whispered to him to come horne
with her. that the triaL-was over.
Yes, YES" he replied ir the same far
off, gentle tone. Quite trial-a most
impressive sight But where is Floyd?
We must not leave the boy here"
Finally he submitted to he led, like
little child, by the hand. and together.
the two went out into the clustering
storm.
Continuation of This Story VIII Be
Found in Tomorrow Issue
of The Times.)