Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-03-13

coulu DO nearu yelling and struggling.
General Randolph paid not the slight
est attention to him. He stepped over
to the telegraph table beside which
Thorne stood--and with all the force
OF which he was capable the young
man could hardly control the tremb-
ling Of his knees.
Major Thorne," he said reprovingly
as Thorne saluted him, ~all this delay
has been your own fault. II you had
only had sense enough to mention this
before we would have been saved a
damned lot Of trouble. There's your
commission. sir" He handed It to
Thorne, who saluted him again as one
In a dream. Come, gentlemen" he
said to his officers. 'T can't under.
stand why they have to be 80 cursed
shy about their secret service orders!
Lieutenant ForayT
Yes, sir"
Take your orders from Major
Thorne."
l. Yes, sir" returned Foray.
Good night" said the general for.
getful OF the fact apparently that
Edith Varney was still standing nv the
window.
Good night, SIR" answered Thorne.
Foray moved over to the table at
the right, while Thorne leaped to his
former position, and his hand sought
the key. At last he could send his
message, there was nothing to prevent
him or interrupt him now, he was in
command. Could he get 1t through ?
For a moment he forgot everything
but that, as he clicked out the call
again, but he had scarcely pressed
the button when Edith varney stepped
TO his side.
Captain Thorne," she said In n low
voice, giving him the old title.
He looked up at her, stopping a mo.
ment.
i What have done gives you time
to escape from Richmond" she con
tnued
"Escape! whispered Thorne, click
ing the key again. I'm possible!"
! Oh" said the girl. laying her hanc
on his arm, you wouldn't do it
now!"
And again the mans fingers re
NAMED poised over the key as h,
stared at her.
Il gave It to you TOTO save you
life. / didn't think you'd use it fo
anything else. Oh! You wouldn't"
Her voice in its low whisper wa!
agonizing. II her face had been whit,
before, what could be said of it now
In a fash Thorne saw all. She hat
been confident Of his guilt, and sh,
had sought to save his life becaus,
she loved him, and now because she
loved her country she sought to say,
that too.
The call sounded from the table
Thorne turned to it, bent over It. anc
listened. 1t was the call for the mes
sage. Then he turned to the woman
She looked at him; just one look. TIL,
kind OF look that Christ might have
turned upon Peter after those denial
when he saw him in the courtyard
early on that bitter morning of be
trayal. II saved YOU" the girls lool
seemed to say. II redeemed you ant
now you betray mel" She spoke NJ
words, words we're useless between
them. Everything had been said
everything had been done. She coult
only 60. Never woman looked at mai
nor man looked at woman as thes,
two at each other.
The woman turned. she could trus
herself no further. She went blindll
toward the door. The man followed
her slowly, crushing the commission
IN his hand, and ever as he went h
heard the sound of the call behinC
him. He stopped halfway between tn,
door and the table and watched he
go, and then he turned.
Lieutenant Foray understandin,
nothing Of what had TRANSFERRED, bu
hearing the call, had taken Thorne'
place before the table. He had tn,
dispatch about which there had beef
30 much trouble, and upon which tn,
whole plan turned, in his hand befor
him.
They are calling for that dispatch
SIR" he said as Thorne stared at hin
in agony. What shall do with it,"
Send it," said the other hoarsely.
Very good. sir" answered Foray
seating himself and taking hold O
the key. but the first click Of tn
sounder awakened Thorne to action.
mo. mol" he cried. Stop" H
rushed forward and seized the dis
patch. 81 won't do it," he thunderec
L.
one he tore the dispatch into frae
ments. "Revoke the order Tell Their
1t was a mistake instantly. refuse t