The Arvada enterprise., 1914-07-09

Nov. sergeant" said the general.
as they heard the heavy hall door
close: Il want to speak to the pris-
oner."
Order arms!" cried the sergeant.
Parade rest!" As the squad assumed
these positions in obedience to his
commands. the sergeant continued
Fall out, the prisoner"
Thorne stepped forward one pace
from the ranks and saluted the gen.
eral. He kept his eyes fixed upon that
gentleman. and 1t was only the throb-
bing Of his heart that made him aware
that Edith Varney was by his side.
She bent her head toward him; he
felt her warm breath against his
cheek as she whispered:
oh! Why didn't you tell me! !
thought you sent 1t. thought you"
Miss Varney!" exclaimed the gen
eral in surprise.
But Edith threw maidenly reserve
to the winds. The suddenness of the
revelation overwhelmed her.
There is nothing against him. Cen
eral Randolph. now; Is there? He
didn't send It, There's nothing to try
him for!" she said.
General Randolph smiled grimly at
her.
"You are very much mistaken. Miss
Varney." he answered. THE fact Of
his being caught in our lines without
his proper uniform is enough to hang
him in ten minutes"
Edith caught her heart with her
hand with . sharp exclamation. but
General Randolph turned to speak to
the prisoner.
Captain Thorne," he said. "or Lew
is Dumont. II that is your name; the
president is fully informed regarding
the circumstances Of your case. and
needn't say that we look upon you as
a cursed dangerous character. There
isn't any doubt whatever that you
ought to be shot right now. but. con-
sidering the damned popularity OF
your behavior. and that you refused to
send out that dispatch when you
might have done SO. we've decided to
keep you out Of mischief some other
way. You will be held a prisoner OF
war"
Captain Thorne was almost too
dazed to realize the purport Of the
decree. He mechanically saluted. and
from his lips broke murmured:
Thank you. sir"
The general looked at him severely.
and then. seeing Edith Varney. turned
away and engaged in conversation
with his staff. His intention was OBJ
vious, and Edith Immediately en-
braced the opportunity.
"Oh!" she said: that isn't nearly
so bad as death" and before them all
she stretched out her hand to him.
"No?" queried Thorne in a low
voice.
NO" she said. forcing herself to
look at him. After a while perhaps
some time"
"Oh!" said Thorne. Some time ?
II it's some time. that's enough"
Mrs. varney, having succeeded in
getting Howard quiet and composed.
had been in the room since the ad-
vent Of General Randolph.
Mamma" said Edith. won't You
speak 10 MIN, 100!
Mrs. Varney approached him. but
Wilfred was quicker.
II would like to shake hands with
you," he said. with boyish enthusi.
asm.
What. again?" said Thorne. smil.
ing. "All right" He stretched out his
hand. 60 ahead"
And SO would l." said Caroline. fol.
lowing the lead Of her boy lover.
Don't be afraid now." said Wilfred.
Everything will be all right. They
will give you a parole. and"
"A parole!" said Caroline. Good
ness gracious. they will give you hun.
dreds of them. | am sure
But General Randolph turned once
more.
"One moment. please" said the Off.
Ger. AS he came forward, the others
fell back. Only Edith Varney kept
her place close by Thorne's side.
There Is only one reason on earth
why the president has set aside n
certain verdict OF death. You held
up that false order and made a turn In
| our I8NOT. lou AIe nOt 10 De tTIeu hh
a spy. but held ~ q prisoner Of war.
We expect you to make that turn
complete and enter our service
Never" replied Thorne Instantly.
That's impossible. sir"
You can give Us your answer
later" said the general.
You have It now
You will be kept In close confine.
ment until you come TO our terms.
continued the older ofYlcer.
You make me a prisoner for nfe.
then"
You will see II In another light be.
fore many days. and 1t wouldn't sur.
prise me II Miss Varncy had some.
thing to do with a change In your
views"
you are mistaken. General Ran.
dolph." quickly interposed Edith. Il
think he IL perfectly right"
"Oh. very WELL" said the general.