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

VhulBueO from neT bearing WuiCh W"r
one Of unmitigated triumph. She
threw a glance at Arrelsford which
bode i'll for that young man. The gen
eral entered the room and stopped be-
fore the secret service agent, who
stood in front OF the guard. although
he had been released by the men.
Whats all this aboutT he asked
peremptorily.
Although he knew that something
important was Transporting. and that
the newcomer was q man OF rank.
Thorne never turned his head. AT
whatever cost, he realized he must get
the telegram of, and from the look of
things it appeared that his only chance
was then and there. He did not care
n the president Of the Confederate
States Of America we're there in per.
son, his mind and soul were on the or.
der. He was frantically calling the
station he wanted, the one indicated
by plan g." and he had the doctored
dispatch. to which he had pasted the
seoretary's signature, spread out on
the table before him.
Whats all this about refusing to
send out Miss Mltford's telegram" be.
gan General Randolph peremptorily.
Some of your work, understand, Mr.
Arrelsford."
"General!" cried Arrelsford breath.
lessly. They have arrested me. 1t Ia
a conspirecy-" He turned toward
Thorne. stop that man, for Gods
sake stop him before it's too late1"
At this juncture. Caroline Milford
turned from the room and Joined old
Martha in the hall, and disappeared
She had only come back with the gen
eral TO- punish Arrelsford, but she did
not care to have her precious dispatch
made the subject Of discussion before
30 many people.
stop him!" exclaimed the general
"What do you meanr'
It was evident that the dispatch was
not to go out then. Thorne had no,
succeeded in getting an answer to his
signal. He left the key, rose and
saluted
He means me. SIR" he said. Hes
got an idea some dispatch I'm sending
out is trick Of the Yankees"
ut is a conspiracy" cried Arrels
ford. HE is an impostor--"
why, the man must have gone
crazy, general" said Thorne coolly
holding his position by the table and
listening with all his ears for the re
turn signal.
poetulated Arrelsford.
Watt" said General Randolph. -
will soon get at the bottom Of this
What was he doing when you came in
sergeant" he asked of the non-com
missioned officer tn charge Of tn,
guard.
He was firing on the captain. sir.
answered the sergeant saluting.
"He was sending out false orde,
to weaken our lines at Cemetery Hill
and I-ah-Miss varney. she was here
She saw 1t ALL" explained Arrelsford
Miss VarneyI" exclaimed the gen
eral
"Yes, sir"
The generals daughterr
Yes. sir"
And what was she doing herer
she came to see for herself wheth
or this man was guilty or not; whether
he was a spy or traitor"
us this some personal matter o
yours, Mr.. Arrelsford?" asked the gen
eral suspiciously.
"He was visitor at her house ant
/ wanted her to know
where is she now? Where is Mis-
varney?" asked Randolph impatiently
"She must be out there on the bal
cony." answered Arrelsford. Il bes
you to send for her, sir"
Sergeant" said General Randolph
"step out on the balcony. Present my
compliments to Miss Varney, and ash
her TO come in at once"
In moment the sergeant returned
There is no one there, SIR" he re
piled saluting.
At that instant ThorAe got the Ions
desired signal. Without a moment,
hesitation. he turned to the key. He
picked up the dispatch with bill
wounded left hand and with the othel
began to manipulate the sounder.
"She must be there" said Arrels
ford, "or else she's stepped into thu
hext room, the commissary general,
office. the window was open. tell hin
to-ah!" as the sound Of the clicking
caught his ear. stop him. He is send
ing it now!"
Mr.. Arrelsford's distress was 81
overwhelming and SO genuine tina
something of the mans suspicion wa,
communicated to the general
"One moment, captain" he said.
Captain Thorne. OF course, had n,
option but to release the key. HI
stopped sending and dropped tho dis
patch, saluting.
Nov, Mr.. Arrelsfurd." said the gen
eral. what have you to do with TIL
military telegraph Department."
This Is q secret service case: the.
| assigned it to me. sir"
What is a secret service case?"
THE whole plot to send the order
It's the Yankee secret service. He ii
a member Of 1t and his brother trough
in the signal tonight"
IT beg your pardon, SIR" sale
Thorna this dispatch ought to ge
out at once, sir. 1t came from the SEQ
rotary of war and IL is very urgent"
go ahead with It," said Genera
Randolph.
Thorne needed no further permits
sion than that, dropped to his seat
/ % a.