The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-24

E Fisher to General Kelly. It's
 purport WAS that the ladies had been sent south at their own request. and no further intervention would be practicable
 "A pretty plight we're in.'' exclaimed Gertrude, more loudly than she was aware we can't go south, we can't return north, and we can't remain here.''
 --I'1l tell you how you can get sent on said one of the Federal guard. 'You jest holler for Jeff Davis, and you'll get sent on quick enough
 --Hurrah for the Confederate fag!" cried Belle Boyd in shrilb sheer bra vatlo.
 Then. as nobody came in response. she led the way back to General Kelly's office.
 1t was just as I feared, ladies' said that officer gallantly- Now. the only thing 1 can suggest is that maybe you would he willing to take the oath of allegiance That would simplify mat ters. What do you say?'
 They said nothing. but followed the general into an adjoining room, where a couple of staff officers sat at a writ ing desk Federal soldiers were loung- ing all about, smoking and noise mak- ing. man at the desk started to read the oath aloud. Before he had finished the first sentence Belle Boyd cried out: Great saintsi It's the 'Ironcladv "
 We won't listen to itu' declared Ger trude promptly.
 With that the two turned and march ed out of the room. A loud roar of laughter went up. in which General Kelly joined.
 Just as I expected said he. "I thought you were game.''
 Now. what next, general?'' asked Belle Boyd cheerily.
 ''If we must be hung, please notify us,- added Gertrude
 Another alternative presents itself, 5 the general went on, seriously enough now Strange to say, there appears to be a Washington end to this affair." and l am expecting shortly to get word from headquarters. In any event. you will have to stop here over night. So if you will make yourselves as comfort able as circumstances permit we will hope for the best and await develop Inents'
 It was late in the evening when next they saw General Kelly. He handed them a telegram which he had just received from Washington. It read:
 Miss Page and Mrs. Smith are friends of nlne- See them through if you If not will send a officer to TIar Ters Ferry tonight Answer
 BUCKTHORN
 Ut is from Major General Buck thorn explained General Kelly. And here is copy of my answer to him:
 Will see them through. You need not send KELLY.
 As soon as they were alone together Belle Boyd asked Gertrude:
 Who on earth is Major General Buckthorn2 I have never heard of him.
 Il have replied Gertrude, tand he is an Influential Federal commander as you may well believe. But how he ever knew of my being there in q scTape at Harpers Ferry and why he comes to my rescue as a friend ill time of need, seeing we have never met personally I can't for the life of me understand-unIes unless Oh, l wonder? But. tell mel am dying of curiosity about that Confederate pris- oner who spoke to us-Captain Thorn ton. was it not:''
 Yes You know him? ?''
 The Edward Thornton whom I knew in Charleston did not have that hOrrid scar on his face"
 Ut comes in very well as dis guise, then,'' laughed Belle Boyd, flor Captain Thornton is in the secret serv- ice He is a comrade of mine, and I am going to help him. This meeting has changed my plans. so you won't mind going on alone from Berryville, will you, dear? I mean Miss Page
 ''No, except that I shall miss your companionship and the confidence you inspire in me-Ars. Smith,
 Here General Kelly's orderly came to announce that an ambulance would be ready to take the ladies at day break, and would they mind sharing their room for the night with a lady and her three children on their way to Charleston?
 The remainder of Gertrude's journey was comparativ uneYentful, though it did seem odd at one point to have the Federal cavalrymen who escorted the ambulance called into requisition to protect her against southern strag glers as they neared the lines. She was still nominally a Federal prisoner. Nearing Winchester. a sentry demand ed the young lady's papers.
 -'I have no papers and need none she answered. tI am at home now. l am Miss Ellingham, and am going to Belle Bosquet. My. brother is in Gen ernl JackSon's First brigade"
 The Federal captain who had escort sd her opened his eyes at this and said: