Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1913-03-14

but one course consistently Win my
duty. You have been captured within
the lines OF this army. and there Is
reason to beiieve that you are the bear
or of important dispatches. IL so,
must ask you to give them up. l trust
that you will give me whatever you
have at once 1t would be Of no adj
vantage to you and extremely awk-
ward for ME If you were to compel me
to adopt the extreme-the very diSa.
greeahle-courSe for both Of us Of
having you-well. | hesitate to use the
word as ii seeming threat, madam, but
the military law compels that, you
shall be-
Searched? Is that what you mean?
If you dare. Colonel West"
Here the prisoner turned upon him
quickly enough. disclosing a flushed
face and flashing eyes, framed in re-
hellious hair of warm bronze color.
One look at this splendid spirited pic
ture and Kerchival West sprang for
ward with arms extended. exclaiming:
Gertrude. my dear Gertrude! Is it
possible!''
Not dear Gertrude to you-my Jail
err she retorted, drawing back.
So this was their meeting! Enc
mics" still. and drawn up in line Of
battle.
Pardon me. Miss dillingham;" said
Kerchival humbly. II feel that am
your prisoner now"
I'VE must both face the painful real
tiles of war;" she answered coldly.
Relieve me. Gertrude. my position
Is more-more regrettable than yours.
do not forget your paramount duty
as military officer on my account"
she pursued tauutingly.>
will you please hand me whatever
dispatches or other papers may be in
your posSessionT"
And if | don't choose to? You can
threaten me with force. ! suppose. |
am only 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 inStantly-"that you were
coming in this threatening attitude
Well. am in your power. Order in
the guard! Call up your whole regi
ment. Beat the long roll and then see
II | give up!'
Hello. What's all thisT' demanded
a gruf voice as the imposing form of
General Ruckthorn doomed up behind
them. us this your prisoner. Colonel
West?"
"Yes, general" stammered Kerrhi
val. who nevertheless felt relieved al
the sight Of his senior commander.
"Jenny's fatherr gasped Gertrud"
81 wonder If he will recognize. me-"
Zine young woman. ehi" said tn:
old general in a hoarSe whisper. at the
same time giving Kerchival II 81.
punch in the ribs Then he turned anh
bowed CALAMITY. removing his hat. hn'
as suddenly resumed his air of mill
tary sternness. held out his hand Il
Kerchival and demanded. Let us 81
the dispatches"
"She refuses to give them up" an
swered the young officer
y "Oh. she does. does she? My dra'
young lady. kindly let us have those
dispatches without any furt her pala
vering."
81 have no dispatches" replied Ger
trude spiritedly land | would not give
them to you if had"
What! You defy my authority?
Well see about that. Colonel West.
search the prisoner"
Kerchival stood aghast.
General Buckthorn, / cannot obey
that order"
"You-you refuse to obey my order"
"That is the woman | love, sir"
whispered Kerchival 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 Buckthornw
said the young officer. facing him with
determine ton.
"Blast 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.
81 must have him shot for insubor'
dination In front Or the enemy" con
tinued the general, giving Kerchival a
huge wink.
"Oh, sir! General Buckthorn! l h
told the truth. | have no dispatc1
| haven't a scrap of paper about
except
"Ah, except Except what|
Only this letter." taking 1t {
the bosom of her riding habit. T
1t is. Upon my honor. it is all ha
truly, it is"
General Buckthorn took the
and glanced it over quizzically.
"WaShington-ho. ho. l see
mel Kerchival Vest
Don't read it aloud, general, pie
Gertrude.
''Very we'll. won't" He read
aside, mumbling to himself