The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-02-22

Wuht 90 you mean, Slrg inquired
Gertrude uneasily
You have n right to ask me that n,
your fathers old friend. once your owl
guardian Gertrude. child. you nav,
. warm. true heart. couls not bea,
10 see your happiness destroyed
through very loyalty TO your hearts
affection. Listen. Last night saw
you kneeling beside Kerchival West
speaking to him. ministering TO him
with all the tender passion OF a south
ern woman. You told him that you
loved him. But those fateful words
fell upon unconscious ears. Tell me
has he ever heard those words from
Jour own lips? Have you ever con.
fessed your love to him before?'
"Never-since you ask me. But why,
General Haverill, do you askT'
"Never mind. Only do not repeat IL.
Keep your heart TO yourself. my girl"
but. general. at moment like this.
when his life
"LeGve that to me-hush!'
The voice OF Colonel West himself.
heard outside. giving orders 20 a ser
geant 10 get his horse ready. silenced
them. He then came up In full uni
form and wearing his sword and salut.
ed. His face was pale. but he present
ed a brave front.
Are there any orders. general, for
my regiment" he asked, beyond those
given to Major Williams in my absence
this morning? | am going TO the front
10 resume my command"
at is my wish. colonel. that you re-
main here under the surgeons care"
said the general quietly.
"Oh, my wound Is a mere trine.
could not rest here. | must be with
my men ut this perhaps critical mo.
ment in the campaign
II have told you my wish is TO the
contrary" repeated General Haverill
Kefchival knew only too well that
ominous. quiet reserve. He knew the
innexibility OF that proud. intolerant
mood. He could not wholly fathom its
cause, but a troublesome recollection
suddenly occurred 20 him.
General" he said. with grieved
earnestness, after looking around 10
see that Gertrude had silently with
drawn. IL was unable TO keep my ap.
poIntment with you last night for an
unforeseen reason. which you know.
am ready aud willing to explain Ger.
tain matters, as you requested me 20
do yesterday. But meanwhile a crisis
has developed. and whatever there
may be between us personally you are
now I'm the position or interfering with
my duty and my privilege as n soldier.
IL is my right 10 be at the head OF my
regiment so long as | am physically
able"
"You have my positive order. SIR
''rhen protestw
"You are under arrest. sir!" said the
general without changing his tone.
Kerchlval started as II he had been
shot. Then In n deliberate dazed way
he unclasped his belt and offered his
sword
mo; keep your sword. | have no de
sire TO humiliate you" the general con.
tlnued In low voice But you will
hold yourself subject TO further orders
from me"
With these inexorable words he turn.
ed away. while Kerchival az II sud
denly sick man agnin. started 60 re
enter the house. He met Gertrude at
the door, al. gentleness and commlsera-
ton.
''Did you hear what the general
saidr' he asked feebly.
"No matter what he said or what
any one says now. Kerchival," was her
impulsive response. you have my
perfect faitb-therel Now you must
80 TO your room and rest until the sur
geon comes again."
He obeycd In silence What words
could he 1nd?
Hooking out from her window a few
minutes later. Gertrude was startled
20 see n number OF men emerging from
the woods by the path leading up from
the ford Then she perceived that they
were Confederate soldiers under flag
OF truce. following an escort OF Union
troops and carrying some burden. II
proved 10 be n stretcher. on which lay
the unconscious form OF young man.
evidently wounded Federal officer
"A surgeon walked beside the stretcher.
giving directions TO the bearers. who
rested a short distance from the veran-
da steps. Gertrude ran to the door,
followed by Madeline West and Jenny
Buckthorn. Sergeant Barket also
stood. wonder struck. on sort OF I'm
provised sentry guard.
Il am Major Hardwick OF the Con.
federate service" said the surgeon, hat
I'm hand and losing no timc. is Gem
eral Haverill hereT
"He left tut a moment ago.