Year: 1868

CHAPTER III. e..


A month had elapsed, since the occurrence Of
the incidents alluded to in the last chapter. Du-
ring that time Edward Walton was confined in
Charleston jail for the supposed crimes of deserton
and treason and, so far as crcumstantial evidence
went, the charges seemed pretty well substantial
ted.


The public had been informed through the news
papers, that Walton had deserted from his regi-
ment during brief leave of absence, and had made
an attempt to steal out of the harbor, during an
unusually dark night. There was no doubt what
ever that he intended to communicate valuable in
formation to the enemy on Morris Island as seve-
raj papers were discovered concealed upon his per-
son, the contents of which clearly established his
guilt. Something of this character was the article
in the local column of the next morning papers.


Now, the facts of the case-so far as those con-
cealed papers are concerned-are simply these
The Yankee Captain was really the bearer of those
papers. He had sewed them under the lining oi
his overcoat In rowing, he found the coat too
warm, and threw it upon the seat and sat upon it.
When shot, he was standing; and, falling almost
Immediately into the sea, of course, the overcoat
remained in the boat. ..-'.


The difficulty was, that Walton's version of the
affair was believed to have been o cunning device
concocted simply as shield from the consequences
of his guilt The presence of Yankee officer in
the boat was doubted altogether; and the general
impression was, that Walton and the negro alone,
composed the crew, when fired into by our boat
pickets.


As natural consequence of all this, poor Wal
ton was brought up to the city under guard, anc
hurried ignominiously through the public streets
to the Charleston Jail, there to await trial by
court marshal. .... w..


Captain Lamotte, who had reached Fort Sumter
Just as the prisoner had been brought in, was ar
eager and delighted listener to the story Of poor
Walton's desertion and capture. He Immediately
set to work to make calculation as to the effects
of the news upon Lillian, and how far the circum
stances of the case might go, in weaning her from
her attachment to the prisoner, and justtying fur
ther advances on his own part


To his utter surprise, however, he discovered
in conversation with Lillian, some days after, thai
his hopes and expectations were groundless. Sht
believed her lovers explanation of the circumstan
ces of his capture to be correct in every particular
and passionately declared his innocence Of tht
crime imputed tohim.


'Indeed, sir" she said, at the termination O.
the interview, upon which Lamotte had built sc
much, $50 far as my affection and respect for hin
is concerned, I assure you, most solemnly, thai
were he actually guilty of a thousand times more
than he has been so cruelty aecused-nay! were
be the verest william upon the face Of the Garth
the knowledge of it would not lower him in my
hearts affections, even for moment, nor efface
the memory of his name from my mind, through
out all the years to come"


But Lillian did not know her own heart. It wal
the full consciousness of his innocence-her stead
fast and unalterable faith in his honor and patriot
ism-that made her speak thus; and what aca
said was said only to rebuke the ungenerous spiri
of her prosecutor, and to Danish forever from hi
sordid heart, the last vestige of hope.


And Lamotte went from her presence in wrath


'My dear Lilian," said Major Lee, IT have re
sorted to every conceivable measure to break thu
charm that binds you to this unfortunate man
It is infatuation, madness and stubbornness thu!
to conspire against your own interests. Your an
tipathy to Lamotte is unreasonable and silly. The
idle and malicious reports you have heard in refer
ence to his character doubtless, have their origin il
the personal dislike and prejudice of their author
At any rate, there is no evidence to convict the
Captain of the unsoldier-like and ungentlemanly
conduct imputed to him.


But, admitting these reports to be true-Wha
has Lamotte' conduct and behavior to his men II
camp, to do with his proposition of marriage? A
severe disciplnarian as an officer, does not neces
sarily, make bad man as husband. And re
member, too, that if he has been betrayed into ex
pressons of harshness, and even official acts Of in
Justice, those expressions and acts were only di
rected towards the man whom he conceived to b
an enemy. This may be, and doubtless is, moral
ly wrong but is it not, also, perfectly natural hu
man nature being what it is?


Lamotte- all other men-has his weakness
es and vices. You would not be worthy of a fault
less man. fWalton had not so rashly rushed be
tween him and the accomplishment of his fondes
desire and ambition, Lamotte would have died
sooner than give him occasion of offence. I know
him to be, upon the whole, passable man; ant
| if a man can pass muster among bis fellows
be is, certainly, good enough for all practical pur
poses.


Dear papa," said Lilian "why urge PROPOSE
ton, which you know cannot but reject? Put
ting asidemy personal dislike Of Captain Lamotte-
are you not aware that my faith is pledged t
Walton To put an end to these daily persecu
tions, assure you before my Maker, that nothin
but compulsion will make me the wife Of ma
whom abhor and despi,e."


| And thus for the time, terminated an interview