The Lamar register., 1913-05-21


he seemed to be or not 1t seemed
like treachery to him. this uncertain
ty. 1t would be simple matter to
corroborate Mr.. Arrelsford at once.
and 1t occurred to her that she had no
option. But coincident with the ques-
ton flashed into her mind something
she had forgotten which made 1t
possible for her to answer In another
way. Thus, she understood that the
life of her lover hung upon her de-
cision.
Her eyes flashed quickly from the
vindictive yet triumphant fact of Ar
relsford. whom she loathed. to the
pale. composed, set face of Thorne.
whom she loved. and her glance fell
upon his wounded left wrist, tied up.
the blood oozing through the handker-
chief. A wave of sympathy and ten
derness filled her breast. He was
hurt. suffering-that decided her.
With one brief, voiceless prayer to
God for guidance. she turned to Cen
eral Randolph, and 1t was well that
she spoke when she did. for the pause
had become insupportable to Thorne
at least. He had made up his mind
to relieve the dilemma and confess his
guilt SO that the girl would not have
to reproach herself with betrayal of
her lover or her cause. that she might
not feel that she had been found want
Ing at the critical moment. Indeed.
Thorne would have done this before
but his duty as a soldier enjoined up
On him the propriety. the imperative
necessity. of playing the game to the
very end. The battle wGs not yet over.
II would never be over until he faced
the firing party.
And then Edith's voice broke the
silence that had become 80 tense with
emotion.
"Mr. Arrelsford Is mistaken, Gen.
eral Randolph" she said quietly. Cap
,ain Thorne has the highest authority
In this ONCE"
Arrelsford started violently and
opened his mouth to speak. but Gen
eral Randolph silenced him with q
'ook. The blood Of the old general was
up. and 1t had become impossible for
anyone to presume in the least degree.
rhorne started, too. The blood rushed
20 his heart. He thought he would
choke to death. What did the girl
meanf"
THE highest authority. sir" con-
.inued Edith Varney. slowly drawing
out the commission, which every one
but she had forgotten in the excite
ment. "the authority OF the president
Of the Confederates States of Amer
lea"
Well. she had done 1t for veal or for
woe. She had made her decision. Had
II been q wise decision? Had she
acted for the best? What interest
had governed her. love for Thorne.
love for her country. or love for her
own peace of mind? 1t was In the
hands OF General Randolph now. The
girl turned slowly away unable to sus-
tain the burning glances of her lover
and the vindictive stare of Arrelsford.
What's this?" said General Ran
dolph. "Umphl A majors commits
sion. In command of the telegraph
department Major Thorne. l congrat-
ulate you"
THAT commission, General Ran
dolph," exclaimed Arrelsford. his
voice rising. let me explain how
she"
That will do from you, sir" said
the general. you have made enough
trouble as it is. l suppose you claim
that this is forgery. too"
Let me tell you, sir" persisted the
secret service agent.
you have told me enough as it is.
Sergeant. take him over to headquar-
| ters"
Fall In there!" cried the sergeant
OF the guard. Two of you take the
prisoner. Forward march,"
Two men seized Arrelsford. and the
rest Of them closed about him. To do
the man justice. he made violent
struggle and was only marched out at
the point OF the bayonet, protesting
and crying:
For Gods sake, he's in the Yankee
secret servicei He'll send that dis
patch out His brother brought In the
signal tonight"
All the way down the corridor he
could be heard 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-
ins of his knaAa