The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-01-03

one look at tn1S SpnenO1d Sp1F1CeO PIC
ture and KerchtwaI West sprang for
ward with arms extended, excIaiming:
Gertrude, my dear Gertrude! Is it
possible!''
mot dear Gertrude to you-my jail
er!' she retorted. drawing back
So this was their meeting! Cine
mics" still, and draGHn up in line OF
battle.
Pardon me. Miss dillingham; said
Kerchival humbly. ~I feel that am
your prisoner now3'
1--WE must both face the painful real
tiles of war; she answered coldly.
believe me, Gertrude, my position
is more-more regrettable than yours
"Do not forget your paramount duty
as a military officer On my account
she pursued taunting1y.
%WiII you please hand me whatever
dispatches or other papers may be in
your possession?"
"And if I don't choose to? You can
threaten me with force, suppose.
am only a woman, going about my
business-my military duty, If you
please-in defense of my home. IL
did not know, Colonel West''-here her
voice wavered little, but she recover
ed herself instantIy-''that you were
Well, am in your power. Order In
the guardI Call up your whole regi-
ment! Beat the long roll and then see
If give upY'
"HeIloI What's all this 20 demanded
a gruf voice as the imposing form of
General BucIkthorn doomed up behind
them. rs this your prisoner, Colonel
West?"
eyes, general" stammered Kerchi-
val, who nevertheless felt relieved at
the sight of his senior commander.
"Jenny's fatherr' gasped Gertrude.
81 wonder If he will recognize me?''
! ''Fine young woman, eh?'' said the
old general in hoarse whisper, at the
same time giving KerchivaI sly
punch in the ribs Then he turned and
bowed CALAMITY removing his hat, but
as suddenly resumed his air of mill
tary sternness, held out his hand to
Kerchival and demanded, LET us see
the dispatches
''she refuses to give them up," an
swered the young officer.
"Oh, she does, does she2 My dear
young lady, kindly let US have those
dispatches without any further pala-
vering."
81 have no dispatches,'' replied Ger
| trude spfritedIy, land would not give
them to you If had.''
"WhatI You defy nay authority
Well see about that. Colonel West,
search the prisoneri''
| Kerchival stood aghast.
General Buckthorn, cannot obey
| that order
| "You-you refuse to obey my order?''
''That is the woman love, SIR
whispered KerchivaI aside to the gen.
| eral
! "Oho. Why didn't you say so? I'll
have to take matters in my own hands
then"
Don't do that, General Buckthorn!''
| said the young officer, facing him with
determination.
| .tBlast your eyes, sir! I'd court mar
tial you If you did let me search her.
But duty is duty Consider yourself
sworn at, sir Young woman, Colonel
West here has sacrificed his life to pro-
tect you
His life?'' cried Gertrude.
"1 must have him shot for insubor-
dination in front of the enemy" con-
tinued the general, giving Kerchival q
huge wink.
"Oh, sir! General Buckthorn, have
told the truth. 1 have no dispatches.
1 haven't scrap OF paper about me-
except
"Ah, except Except whaty'
''Only this letter. taking it from
the bosom of her riding habit. Here
| 1T is. Upon my honor, it is all have
truly, 1t is
/ General Buckthorn took the letter
and glanced it over quizzical1y.
"Washington-ho, no! 1 see-Colo-
mel Kerchival Vest
Don't read it aloud, general, please, "
interrupted Gerrude.N
every well, I WON'T He read on,
aside, mumbling to himself had
heard you say, as 7 did'-m-
loved him with your whole heart'-this
is important-'Sig Signed. Constance Hav
l--H'm-'my dear Gertrude Are you
my dear Gertrude Miss Gertrude Ell
linghamT
Eyes, general"
Thunder and Mars! Then this is
your house, and my daughter Jenny is
your guest?'
''Why, of course! Jenny is here al
right
'eWe1l, of all the dangerous little reb
elsT Here the general chucked he1
under the chin before turning to Ker
chtvaI to say: Colonel West, I leave
this suspicious young person in your
charge If she attempts to escape OIL
is unruly in any way read this letter
Here take it-but not till then"
''Oh, let me have it back It's mine. >
pleaded Gertrude.
81 shall obey ORDERS" said Kerchi
val, putting the letter into his pocket.
Meanwhile a disturbance down tbs