The Washington times., 1913-09-10
Il KNOW" answered the general.

I KNOW" answered the general.
what l should have done l cannot
say, but l recognized the man as Judge
Lewis former body servant, who had
been with my wife. He said that Il
| was she who was in danger. I had not
seen her for year-she had disappeared
i forgot-ererything. / put spurs to
my horse. dashed up the road a short
found her struggling in the arms Of
some human brutes. l surprised them,
managed to kill two or three and took
shelter in the house with her. They
tried to storm the house. then burn It.
They would have killed both Of US had
not squadron Of Union cavalry come
w. the road and put an end to the whole
thing. They saved ou lives . my
wife's honor but captured me-"
v,iu But the orders?" How were they de-
They did not hold my wife prisoner.
Before they took me away I told her
what you told me. She knew the coun-
try thoroughly. She had been living
there since she left Richmond. and she
eomprehended everything wonderfully.
She said she would deliver the orders to
General Stuart
And did so?''
Yes, sir. Late that night the de-
tachment of horse covering General
Early's advance had the good luck to
capture that Union party on the Cathar-
pin road. j was released, got a horse,
and rode on to General Stuart. / found
him yesterday morning. He told me, as
my wife had delivered the message late
the night before. was present in the
fight that took place while he was
holding back the Union advance. That's
all, sir. I know that I should have
placed the orders above everything
else"
The general nodded his head.
And that by turning aside even for
the most powerful personal appeal !
jeopardized their delivery continued
Grafton. accusingly. And that IL the
orders were not delivered in some way
the safety of the army would be seri-
ously jeopardized and our country per-
haps ruined
The general stared at his young sub
ordinate with steady. intent gaze and
but he said nothing. What he would
better do was a puzzle to him. He walt
ed further developments without inter-
rupting his already overwhelmed staff
officer.
mo one can accuse me more severely
than l do myself. SIR continued poor
Grafton, writhing in spirit in the sit
uation. 'and I place myself in your
hands for any disposition you may
wish to make OF me-
General Stuarts compliments and he
would like to see you. SIR" said Colonel
Taylor, at that moment coming into the
tent in which this conversation was
taking place.
Beg him to enter at once" said Lee,
with that unvarying courtesy which dis
tinguished him on all occasions
Shall I withdraw, sir?" asked Graf
wait"
An instant later the opening Of the
tent framed a splendid picture. Stuart
was then the beau ideal OF a cavalry
man and a cavalier. His uniform was
beautifully made of the finest English
broadcloth. 1t fitted him like q glove.
By some miracle he had kept II reason
ably clean amid the dust and exposure
OF the hard campaign. The lace was
slightly tarnished. but II was lace still.
His faithful servant had used every op-
portunity to keep his high cavalry
boots. the tops of which were embroiii-
cred in gold. brilliantly polished From
the hat which he held in his buzz
gauntleted hand long scarlet plume
depended. 1t was held in place by a
gold star. With his blue eyes. blond
hair. and laughing mouth he was a
splendid sight to look upon
4 Ccr-'~.-''"- nf This Story VIII
be Found In Tomorrow
Issue of The Times.