The Washington times., 1911-06-23
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY
THE VINTAGE
By JOSEPH STARTS .>'
Copyright The Frank a. Munsey Company.
Rv JOSEPH STARTS
wright. ISL. me Frank A. Munsey Company.

a., Just so. But those 1900 men can
scarcely be termed prisoners now. They
have prepared battering rams to beat
down the gates OF their prisons. They
have prepared slung-shots and clubs,
and some have even received revolvers
from him. They only await his sig
nal to brush away a few score Of half
hearted militia, to seize the arms at
Armory, and to give Richmond to fire
and sword"
"A danger we have suspected for
some time. Still
Woe to our cause II this man is let
go! Woe to your name as a patriot!
Woe to our dreams Of freedom! He is
to give the signal that will pour this
deluge upon us. He has been expect
ing sign from the North. Cavalry will
attack the outer trenches; and when
our troops march out to oppose them
he-that man there-will give the word.
His army waits now to flood the streets,
to seize the hill-tops, and overwhelm
us. Woe to us all il you set him free /!
The attack is set for tonight-tonight!"
You lie!" whispered Grigg hoarsely
from behind the table. Not tonight |
-got-no-word." But he staggered
back against the wall and his stricken
face, his staring eyes and trembling
form were frightful to behold.
How have you learned this?" Jeffer-
son Davis demanded.
Yesterday a Yankee officer who had
been captured on the Potomac was
brought into the Libby, and tonight he
revealed to me that he bore a message
for Captain Grigg. 1 pretended to help
him escape into the city, and had him
seized and searched"
A deep bell struck upon their ears.
Across the sleeping city its mighty
peal boom in great blats of sound that
Jared upon the wind. 1t was the tocStu
the call to arms.
Bledsoe raised his hands toward the
ceiling and lowered among the crowded
troops like a dark prophet of old.
Almighty God" said he, has given
this man into my hands tonight. Lay
hold upon him.
''Lost-all lost" Grigg groaned out be-
tween his grinding teeth.
or sudden, as the soldiers pressed
warily upon him, he hurled a chair up
at the chandelier. 1t was probably an
attempt to dash out the light that he
might escape in the darkness and con-
But whatever the purpose, 1t failed.
The soldiers rushed in upon him with
oaths.
He overturned the table and lunged
blindly forward among them. A soldier
who had dubbed his musket brought
the iron butt heavily down upon the
doomed mans head. Before he could
fall to the floor half q dozen others
had grappled him.
Still he struggled on stupidity, yet with
amazing strength. Twice he almost
gained the window, with men clinging
to every limb. 1t was evident, how
ever. that the blow on his head had
stunned him. and this was only a last
blind instinct to die fighting.
They bore him to the floor. Even
then they had almost to break his arm
at last in order TO free one man whom
he was throttling. Afterward. under
Bledsoe's directions, they bound the
senseless and painting body with ropes
a nd left II living the Garnet
While the soldiers, their task per-
formed, were fling out Of the room,
startled servants and members OF the
household in all stages OF dishabille
They clustered about the open doorway
when the soldiers were gone, and
peeped fearfully in at the pinioned body
on the floor.
struggle, had noticed that Della Coombs
had tainted and was in danger of be-
ing trampled on, had lifted her up and
placed her in his armchair. He was
now impatiently calling for a glass OF
water, but Bledsoe shut the door upon
the servants.
This matter must be carefully hushed
up" said he to the President, lest the
prisoners learn Of 1t and break out Of
their own accord"
The rain had begun to fall in gusts.
The alarm-bell still tolled loudly.
Horses could be heard galloping in the
stony street. And then from far away
to the north of the town sounded the
faint, sharp rattle of musketry.
Hank" said Bledsoe. 1T Is the
opening of the attack"
But on the Uttered floor, among the
wreckage of the overturned table.
unconscious of the crumbling
ruins of his vast plan, lay the deep
brain and strong heart that had forged
this thunderbolt and aimed IT, and then
had let II slip from his hand for the
sake of a woman. He lay with bloody
eyes, uuiescent, save that now and then |
a long, Quivering gasp struggled from
his chest.