The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-02-13

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"como Johnny" He Said Tereely,
"oet Up-You're Wanted"
ing aside again. was this officer
searched by your party?'
He was. sir. but no papers wore
found. He stated to me later that his
despatch was verbal"
Had 1t been delivored3"
Il SO understood him"
We'll. how Gld hc account to you
FOR being whelo be was eound?'
Brennan hesite,Sd. and glanced lin
easily toward mo. Like a flash the
thought came that the man was striv-
Ing to keep hor name entirely out of
sight; he did not wish hog presence
mentioned.
There was TO explanation 1T
tempted" no said finally "iIo seemed
simply to 10 hiding tlero."
"AloneT'
Again I caught his eyes, and It al
most seemed that l read ontreaty in
them.
Excepting the wife Of tho noun
taineer," he answered. hoaIsely.
rs this truo?" asked Sheridan, his
storm face fronting ne.
! made nay decision Instantly There
might be some reason. possibly her
own request, whereby her being alone
with me that night should rom&in III
told Very we'll, 1t would never Is
borne to other ears through any fail
ure Of my lips TO guard the secret
She had voluntarily pledged herself 10
go to Sheridan in my defense; until
sho did so, her secret if secret in
deed it was, should remain safe with
me- 1 could do no less In honor.
1T is not altogether true" 1 said
firmly, and no one knows this better
than Major Brennan. I was th9Te, as
4 told him. wholly because Of an 40
cident upon the road, but as to It's par
ticulars l must most respectfully de
cline to answer"
You realize what such a refusal
may mean TO you?"
Il understand fully the construction
which may unjustly be placed upon
1t by those who desire to condemn
me, but at present can make no more
definite reply. / have reason to bo
love 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.
Very we'll. sir" he said grayely
Your fate is in your own hands
and will depend very largely upon
your replies to my questions You
claim to have been the bearer oil
dispatches, and honce no spy, yet you
possess nothing 10 substaniate your
claim. AS your regiment Is with Lee
1 presume you were seeking Long
street Were your dispatches deliy
cred p
II have reason to belivo So"
by yourself7-
by the sergeant who accompanied
me, and who continued the journey
after I was detained"
'1s Lee contemplating an immediate
movements"
General Sheridan" exclaimed in
dignantly. you must surely forge
that I am an officer Of the Confeder
ate Army You certainly have M
reason to expect that I will SO fai
disregard my obvious duty as 20 un
swer such a question"
Your refusal to explain why yot
wore hiding within our lines is ample
reason for my inslstence," he sal,
tartly. "and l am not accustomed tC
treating spies with any great cousid
Grafton. even when they claim Rebe
commissions. You are not the first
TO seek escape I'm that way was
your despatch the cause Of the hurried
departure Of LoRgstreets troops east
ward 2"
This last question was hurled di
roctly at me. and ! noticed that every
eye I'm the room was eagerly scaunua
my face. had tine quick. fiery tenn
Dor OF a boy then. and my checks
flushed
u positively decline to answer one
word relative 90 tine desuatchs in
trusted TO me- I said deliberately
aud my voice shook with sudden rush
81 anger "And no officer who did
not dishouor the uniform ho wore
would Insult me with the question
a bombshell exploding in the room
could not have astouishod them as did
my answer I realized to the full
tho probable result, but my spirit was
high, aud ! felt the utter usolessness
of proiOnging the interview. Sooner
or later the same end must come
Sheridan's face naturally flushed pa.
stonuy grew crimson. and a dangerous
light famed into his fierce eyes For
o moment ho seemed unable to speak;