Year: 1868

BY .WITHERSPOON ERWIN.


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CHAPTER N.


Lieutenant McGregor was not alone. In on
corner of the apartment Victor sat in chair lean
ing back against the wall, with very serious am
even troubled face. There were two causes tha
disquieted him-his sympathy for poor Neli
Brack, and his feelings Of commiseration for lso
lette DeVere, who in the eyes Of the law, was
female spy, and liable to be dealt with in the mos
rigorous manner. Her offence, according to tn
strict construction of military law, was punishable
with death. And though it was probable tha
compassion for her sex would prevent her from
suffering the extreme consequences with which
such offences are almost invariably visited, yet th'
infamy of her conduct, and the shame attending
her exposure, had, in his estimation, more thar
the bitterness of death. There we're many reasons
why he still pitied her, and desired that, if posi-
bic, her feelings might be spared. 1t was not sim
ply the humanity of my uncle Toby, who fount
the world large enough for all the creatures of Cox
to live in peaceably with one another. Even tht
pilgrim fathers and their immediate descendants
whose gallantry would kick the beam if few cop
pers were throwninto the other scale, did not burr
women as witches until they became old and ugly
and poor; and yet, they were scarcely more as
thetic than the crocodile or the river horse. True
they were very religious people, and they mani
tested it by cutting out the tongues of that jab
bering, quarelsome set, called Quakers, or driving
out those terrible Jebusites, the unbelieving Bap
lists, and shifting them hip and thigh. Yet even
they had it not in their heart to burn fine bewitch
ing young women. --..-.--...


It's hard to see the young, the lovely, the deli
cate and refined, suffer. They may err, they may
sin grievously against our perceptions ofrght YET
there is disposition to pity their frailty, to for
give and to shield them. Such have many to love
and bless them, and We would shrink from tramp
ling upon plant, even though it be poisonous
one, watered and sheltered by the love Of house
hold. The touch of nature in our own hearts, too
bids us cling to such, and our own sympathies are
wrung when calamity swoops down upon them.


Victor was very serious, and even sad. His
hand had done the work-had followed up the clue
of guilt and treachery, until it rested upon the
shoulder of Isolette-the icy, but fair and enchant
ing woman, with whom, if he had not eaten bread
and salt, he had at least drank deeply from the In
toxicating cup of melodious inspiration. There
was more than the bread and salt of eastern hos
pitahty in that; and yet he had brought evil upon
her head. If by any means he could remedy it.
and gain permission for her to 60 free and unmo
lested-nay, even untaxed for her crime-he re
solved to do it. A pang of bitterness, too, he fel
when he looked up at Brack, with the quick con
sciousness of guilt in his eye, standing before hi
commander. 1t is not pleasant thing to detec
even criminals and hand them over to justice
knowing they must suffer very heavy penalty
that will wiring them to the quick.


Brack stood moment in silence, glanciDg un
easily at his commander with wandering ane
shrinking eye that turned averted away, when Il
met his gaze. Confused and terror-stricken as ht
was, he knew the penalty of his transgression, ye
he was the first to speak. The precipice tha
yawned at his feet made him desperate. He knew
that it was impossible to render his situation more
critical and like men driven to utter desperation
to whom no eligible course is left, but who plunge
for escape into the first open path that present.
itself, he spoke boldly and without seeming to hes
itate.


Lieutenant, said he, clearing his throat ant
stammering "Tve got some papers here, in m!
pocket you ought to see they were intended to-
the enemy, but have brought them to you. -
Brack made an effort to bring his left arm to th'
front, and, with his thumb pointed to his breas
pocket.


81 fear, Brack, you only brought them becaus
there sno help for it, replied McGregor, coldly


'As hope for grace Lieutenant, 1 declare
intended to bring them to you" answered Brack
excitedly. "You surely don't think so badly Of mi
as that would have done otherwise?


'sBring them here, Sergeant Haley" said Nc
Gregor.


Brack indicated where they were to be found
and Harvey took them from an inner breast pock
ct, and put them into the hands Of the lieutenant


''The package, see, is directed to the Commo
dore of the yankee feet. Were you aware of tina
Brack?" asked Lieutenant McGregor.


eyes! that's fac" eagerly interposed Brack
IT was told to give it to the Commodore; but
never intended to let it get into his hands. u


"Now, Brack, wish to give you one caution,
said the lieutenant, taking up pen and sheet o
paper II am going to take down your statement
I wish you to tell the whole truth, and nothin!
but the truth"


"You shan t have anything utthat, Lieutenant
give you my word, interposed Brack.


''Very well, but wish to guard you against an
swering any question you do not wish to answer
for your statement will be produced in evidence a
gainst you when you are tried, and I must say t
you" continued McGregor, "that think yo
have involved yourself, very seriously, indeed
Reflect well, before you answer each question
From whom did you receive this package p


Brack began to hesitate.


II suppose, when it is opened, the writer
name will appear" remarked the lieutenant; IAN
so far as you are concerned, it matters not fron
whom you received it"


1T was lady who gave it to me" answere
Brack; "but it was dark, and I did not see be
face distinctly"


ibid you ever carry letters through our lines
the enemy ?" asked McGregor


Brack began to feel more and more uncomfortable
He had no hesitation about avowing the posses
sion of the dispatches intended for the enemy TO
that vas fact, which the searching of his perso
would have made apparent, and which he had n
means of concealing. He wished to gain all th