The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-09-12


trldges!"
There was a rafting OF breech-
plugs and a low muTmur of astonish-
ment, as every man found that his
cartridge was without bullet.
With ball cartridges, load!" cried
the sergeant. Garry arms!"
When this little manuever, which
was completed with swiftness and
| precision because the men were all
veterans. was finished, the sergeant
turned to the prisoner, who had stood
composedly watching the performance
which took away his last opportunity
for escape, and saluted him with dis
tinct admiration.
81 am much obliged to you, sir" he
said.
How Edith Varney kept her feet,
why she did not scream or faint away,
she could not tell. Thorne's words
had petrihed her. Her pride kept her
from acknowledging what she felt,
She had never dreamed of any such
action on his part, and it seemed to
her that she had sent him to his death
again. How could she retrace her
steps, repair her blunder? There was
nothing to do.
1t was Wilfred who broke the ST.
lence. He walked slowly up to Thorne
and thrust out his hand.
II would like to shake hands with
you" he said admiringly, and for the
first time in the long hours a slight
smile quivered about the mans lips.
1t was a generous, spontaneous trib-
ute OF youth that gave him that mo-
ment of melancholy satisfaction.
"Oh," thought Edith, watching her
brother; If only l dared to do the
like"
rs this for yourself?" asked Thorne,
"or your father?"
For both of US, sir" answered Will
fred.
Thorne shook him by the hand The
two looked into each others faces, and
everybody saw the satisfaction and
qualification of the older man.
That's all, sergeant" said Thorne,
turning away.
Fall in the prisoner! Escort left
face! Forward-march!" cried the
sergeant.
At that moment a man, breathless
from having run rapidly, entered the
room by the window His uniform
was that of an officer, and he wore
lieutenant's shoulder straps.
Halt" he cried, as he burst into
the room. Are you in command. ser
geant?"
Yes, sir"
General Randolph's on the way
here with orders. You would please
wait until"
But Arrelsford now interposed.
What orders, lieutenant? Anything
to do with the case?"
The officer looked greatly surprised
at this Intervention by civilian, but
he answered civilly enough:
81 don't know what his orders are.
He has been with the president"
But l sent word to the depart
ment," said Arrelsford, that we had |
got the man, and were going to drum
head him on the spot"
Then this must be the case, sir. |
The general wishes to be present"
1T is impossible" returned Arrels-
ford. I'VE have already held the
court, and have sent the findings to
the secretary. The messenger is to
get his approval and meet us at the
corner of the street yonder. have
no doubt he is waiting there now. 1t
is a mere formality"
Il have no further orders to give,
sir" said the lieutenant. General
Randolph will be here in a minute,
but you can wait for him or not, as
you see fit"
The sergeant stood uncertain. For
one thing, he was not anxious to carry
out the orders he had been given now.
That one little action of Thorne's had
the whole situation. For an
other thing. Arrelsford was only civ
ilian, and General Randolph was one
of the ranking officers in Richmond.
Move on, sergeant" said Arrels-
ford peremptorily. You have all the
you want, and"
The sergeant held back, uncertainty,
but the day was saved by the advent
Of the general himself.