The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-01-13


SHY his chef OF staff. while to the
right. leaning negligently with one
arm on the mante shelf above the fire
place. ant smiling insuleutly at ne.
was Brennan.
The sight OF him stiffencd me like
a drink of brandy, and as the young
aide closed the door in my rear !
Ste pped instantly forward to the table,
facing him who | knew must be in
command and removing my hat, sa-
luted
This is the prisoner you sent for.
sir" announced the aide.
The officer, who remained seated.
looked at me intently.
Have ! ever met you before?" he
questioned. as though doubling his
memory
You have. General Sheridan" re-
piled Il was with General Early
during your conference at White
Horse Tavern. also bore flag to
you after the cavalry skirmsh 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 a spy" he said sternly He
is in uniform. ana doubtless told you
his name and rank"
Il 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 iines?" he questioned
sternly
Il was not. sir; it 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
moment in silence.
II regret We have treated you with
so little consideration" he said
alphabetically. but you were sup
posed to be merely spy. Nay
ask your name and rank?"
Captain Wayne. -th Virginia Cav
airy"
why were you within our lines?"
Il was passing through them with
dispatches"
For whom"
You certainly 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 I'M
easily toward me. Like flash the
thought came that tho man was striv-
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?"
most seemed that ] read entreaty in
them.
Excepting the wife OF the noun
taineer." he answered hoarsely
rs 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 I'M
told Very well 1t would never be
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 it was. should remain safe with
NE | could do no less in honor.
1T 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 yOu?"
Il understand fully the construction
which nay unjustiy be placed upon
|, by those who desire to condemn
me. but at present can make no more
definite reply. have reason TO be-
10 you by one in whose word you will
~