The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1913-06-18

formed.
WHAT" cried Arrelsford. In great
surprise. 1.-THE testimony was very
plain"
Eyes, indeed. sir" interposed the
sergeant.
Nevertheless" returned the gen.
eral. 1.-The man is not guilty of that
charge. The dispatch was not sent"
Now Edith Varney had scarcely
moved. She had expected nothing.
she had hoped for nothing from the
advent of the general. At best 1t
would mean only little delay. The
verdict was just, the sentence was
adequate, and the punishment must
and would be carried out She had
listened, scarcely apprehending. busy
with her own thoughts. her eyes fas-
tened on Thorne, who stood there 80
pale and composed. But at this re-
markable statement by General Ran
dolph she was suddenly quickened into
life. A low exclamation broke from
her lips. A hope. not that his life
might be saved. but that It might be
less shameful to love him, came into
her heart. Wilfred stepped forward
also.
The terse statement Of the general
had caused a great deal OF excitement
and commotion in the room. Only
Thorne preserved his calmness. He
was glad that Edith Varney had
learned this, and he was more glad
that she had learned It from the lips
of the enemy, but 1t would make no
difference in his fate. He was not
guilty of that particular charge. but
there were dozens OF other charges
for which they could try him. the pun
ishment of any one OF which was
death. Besides. he was spy caught
in the Confederate lines. wearing a
uniform not his own. 1t was enough
that the woman should learn that he
had not taken advantage Of her 40
ton; at least she could not rsprosch
herself with that.
why. general" began Arrslsford.
greatly dismayed. II hardly under
stand what you mean That dispatch
Il saw him myself"
General Randolph turned on him
quickly.
81 say that dispatch was not sent"
he roared. striking the table with his
hand 81 expected to arrive In time
for the trial There 10 one here who
can testify. Lieutenant Foray?"
From among the group OF stan Of
fcers who had followed General Ran
doiph. Lieutenant Foray stepped for
ward before the general and saluted-
Did Captain Thorns send out that
dispatch after we left you with him
in the ONCE an hour ago'" asked the
older officer.
mo, SIR" answered Foray promptly.
Rlapcing from Arrelsfords thwarted
and flushed and Indignant countenance
to Edith Varneys face. In which, he
saw the light Of great illumination
was shining. No. sir" he repeated:
81 was Just about to send 1t by bis or
ders. when he countermanded II and
tore up the dispatch
And what dispatch was TT"
1T was one signed by the secretary
of war, sir. removing Marston's divf-
sion from Cemetery Hill"
aYou hear, gentlemen" said the gen
eral. and, not giving them time to an
SweT, he tuIuoo oe"A ~ AOA"y
What were Captain Thorne's words
at the timer" q.
He said he refused to act under
that commission. and crumpled 1t up
and threw It away.
THAT will a. lieutenant" said
General RandoiuA tr1umphantly. He
turned to Arrelaepsd again. If you
are not satisfied, Mr. Arrelsford. beg
TO inform you thsk we have a dispatch
from General Chssney at the front. in
which he says that NO orders were re-
ceived from hero. He got an uncom-
pleted dispatch, but could not make
anything out Of 4 Marston's division
was not withdrawn from Cemetery
Hill, and our position was not weak
ened in any way. The attack there mas
tailed" There vas low murmur OF
astonishment from the group OF men
In the room. Hf1th Varney did one
significant thing. She made two steps
In Thorne's direction. That young
man did not dare TO trust himself to
look at her TT Is quite plain" con-
.inued the general. that the court
has been acting under an error. the
president of the Confederacy Is, there
tore. compelled to disapprove the hno-
lng. and it is set aside. He happened
% be with the secretary when the md
lng came in"
Arrelsford mads one last desperate