Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-04-03

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 gao
that she had learned It from the lips
Of the enemy, but It would make no
difference in his fate. He was not
guilty of that particular charge, but
tbere we're 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 ac-
ton: at least she could not reproach
herself with that.
why, general" began Arrelsford,
greatly dismayed. II hardly under
stand what you mean. That dispatch
i saw him myself"
General Randolph turned on him
q,,iokly.
u say that dispatch WAS not sent
he voared. striking the table with his
hand. II expected to arrive in time
for the trial. There is 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 Thorne send out that
dispatch after we left you with him
, in the office an hour ago." asked the
older officer.
NO, sir" answered Foray promptly,
| glancing from Arrelsford's thwarted
and flushed and indignant countenance
to Edith Varney's face, in which he
saw the light OF great illumination
was shining. mo, sir" he repeated !;
It was Just about to send 1t by his or
ders, when he countermanded it and
tore up the dispatch"
And what dispatch was it,"
1T was one signed by the secretary
OF war sir, removing Marstons divi.
sion from Cemetery Hill"
You hear, gentlemen" said the gen.
eral, and not giving them time to an.
swer, he turned again to Foray
''What we're Captain Thorne's words
o. the timer"
He said he refused to act under
that commission. and crumpled it UP
and threw it away"
THAT will do, lieutenant" said
General Randolph triumphantly. He
turned to ArrelsfoTd again. IF you
are not satisfied, Mr.. Arrelsford, beg
TO inform you that we have dispatch
from General Chesney at the front, in
which he says that no orders were re-
ceived from here, He got an uncom'
pleted dispatch, but could not make
anything out Of 1t. Marston's division
was not withdrawn from Cemetery
Hill. and our position was not weak
ened In any way. The attack there has
failed" There was a low murmur Of
establishment from the group Of men
IN the room. Edith Varrey did one
significant thing She made two steps
in Thornes direction. That young
man did not dare to trust himself to
look at her. ut is quite plain con
tinued the general, that the court
has been acting under an error. The
president Of the Confederacy Is. there
fore, compelled to disapprove the find.
ing, and it is set aside He happened
to be with the secretary when the fnd'
ing came IN"
Arrelsford made one last desperate
effort.
General Randolph" he said. and. to
do him justice. he did not lack cour'
age, this was put in my hands,
and"
81 take 1t out OF your hands, he
said CURLY. Report back to the war
Office, or the secret service office. with
my compliments. aAd-"
But there are Ter charges upon
which he could be tried persisted
Arrelsford. HE is a spy anyway,
and
Il believe I gave you your orders.
Mr.. ArrelsfCSd" interrupted the gen.
eral, with suspicious politeness.
But hadn't l better wait and
see--'
"By God, SIR" Numbered Randolph,
do have to explain my orders to the
whole secret service of the Confed-
eracy? Don't wait to see anything.
Go at once, or ! will have you es.
corted by file Of soldiers"
Arrelsford would have defied the
general If there had been the least
use in the world in doing it, but the
game was clearly uD for the present.
He would try to arrange to have
Thorne re-arrested and tried as a
spy later. Now be could do nothing
He walked ont of the room, pride en-
abling him to keep up brave front,
but with disappointment and resent
ment raging in his heart. He did not
realize that his power over Thorne
had been withdrawn. In the great
game that they had played, he had
lost at all points. They all watched
him GO, not a single one In the room
with sympathy, or even pity.
Nov. sergeant" said the general,
as they heard the heavy hall door
close; IT want to speak to the pris-
oner"
Order arms" cried the sergeant.
Parade rest!" AS the squad assumed
these positions in obedience to his
commands, the sergeant continued,
Fall out the prisoner"
Thorne stepped forward one pace
from the ranks, and saluted the gen
eral. He kept his eyes fixed upon that
| pentlemap and II wae Culy tho thrOh-