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Tfc LOVE STORY tf* A GRAY JACKET By Randall Parrish ^Author %* "WIkdWiIWuWu Ki?f" ILLUSTRATIONS BY AR l HUR B. WILLIAMSON CwfyrfcSu by A. C. McV turf A C?. Sheridan's face naturally .'lushec. in stantly grsw crimson, and a d im . jus light flamed Into his fierce eyj*. For s moment he seemed unabk* to speak; then he thundered forth; "You young fool! I can tell you that you will speak before another twenty-four hours, or I'll hang you for a spy If It cost me my command. Major Brennen, take this young popin? jay to the Mansion House under guard." Brennen stepped forward, smiling as If he enjoyed the part assigned to him. ? Tome on. you Johnny." be said coarsely, his hand closing heavily on nay arm. Then, seeming unable to repress his plessure at the ending of the Interview, and bis present sense of power, he bent lower, so that his in? solent words should not reach the others, snd hissed hotly: "Stealing women Is probibly more In your Uns than his." "You miserable hound!" 1 cried madly "None but a coward w^uld taunt a helpless prisoner. I only hopo 1 msy yst be free long enough to write the lie with steel across your heart " Before he could move Sheridan was upon his feet and beUecn us. "Back, both of you!" he ordered sharply "There shall be no brawling hero. Major Brennan, you will re? main; 1 would speak with you further regerdlog this mstter. Lieutenant Ca too, take charge of the prisoner." CHAPTER XII. Under Sentence of Desth. At this ir.t * <!.>.?i. doubt ? i "* If roy slt'tatu i v hut t! i was i aW??? > as 1 t! ? i corn ?-? . 1 o/jqsU' ? . vhe ' ?? T ??Qi ? wt -.'d **v .r n: . ** hai ?, sit CUted. 1>UI lUCll, ?IUI Ul? tltVlMWi; v.. Idan's rags snd my own hot headed retort. I fully believed my fate was destined to be that of the condemned spy, unless she who alone might tell the whole truth should voluntarily do so That circumstances had left me In the power of one whose fierce dis? like was slresdy evident wss beyond question, and I had yielded to his goading to such an extent as to give those In authority every excuse for the exercise of extreme military power. T-i af oue thing I wss firmly re? solved?no thoughtless word of mine should ever endanger the reputation of Edith Brannan. Right or wrong. 1 would go to a death of d'.-honor be? fore I would speak without her author? ity. Love and pride conspired to make this decision adanrant. "Come." said Caton, briefly, and I turned and accompanied blm without thought of resistance. At the front door he ordered the little squad of waiting soldie-s to fall tu, and taking me by the arm. led the way down the gravelled path to the road. I wss Ins pressed by his seeming careless? ness, but ss ws cleared the gateway he spoke, and his words helped me to comprehend. Csptsln Wayne." be said quietly, so that the words could not be over? heard, "you do not recognize me, but I wss the officer who conducted you to headquarters when you brought the flag In at Wilson Creek Of course I must perform the duty given me, but 1 wish you to understand that I wholly believe your word." He stopped, extended his hand, and I accepted it silently. "There must be some grave personal reason which seal* your lips?' he questioned. "There Is" "1 thought ss much I chanced to c I rhear the words, or rather a por tlon of them, which lirennan wi h> pered. snd have no doubt If they w?ro siplalned to the General he would feel more kindly disposed toward you " It was ssked aa a guagUog and I felt obliged to reply "I spprerlste deeply your desire to sld me. but there arc circumstances Involving others which eoibpol me for the present to silence Indeed my pog slble fate does not so greatly trouble me. only thst I possess a itfasjfl sire tj hsv?? freedom l??tiK enough to rroes swords with this major of yours. The quarrel between us has become bitterly personal, snd I hunger for s chsnee to hsv?- It out Im> um know, Is he a man I Id fight P The young follow stiffened slightly ' Ws sre serving upon the same staff." he said more Sbfgptl] and while wo have never been dose friends, yet I rsnnot honorably take sides against him Hi Sgl bogg 0U( twice within the isst Ibras rears to luv knowledge snd Is not devoir] Silber of touiagu or skill rHstalblj however, the arrival of his wife may make him less a fire-rater." Ills wife?" I stopped so suddenly that he in? voluntarily tightened his grip upon my arm as though suspicious of an at? tempt to escape. "Do you." I asked, gaining some Blight control over myself, "refer to the lady who came in with his party last evening?" "Most certainly; she was presented to all of us as Mrs. Hr^nnan, she has been asslgucd rooms at his quarters, and she wears a wedding-ring. Far too fine a woman In my judgment for such a master, hut then that is not so uncommon a mistake in marriage. Why, come to think about it, you must have met her yourself. Have you reason to suspect this is not their relationship?" "Not In the least," I hastened to answer, fearful lest my thoughtless exclamation might become the basis for camp gossip. "Indeed I was scarcely in the lady's presence at all coming in, as I was left in charge of the sergeant." Perhaps he felt that he had already said too much, for we tramped on lb silence until we drew near a large, square white building standing direct? ly beside the road. "This is the old Culverton tavern, known as the Mansion House," he said. "It is a tremendous big build? ing for this country, with as fine a ballroom in It as I have seen since leaving New York. We utilize it for almost every military purpose, and among others some of the strong rooms in the basement are found val? uable for the safekeeping of Im? portant prisoners." We mounted the front steps as he was speaking, passing through a cor? don of guards, and in the wide hull way I was turned tover to thy officer in charge. "Good-night, Captain," said Caton, kindly extending his hand. "You may rest assured that I shall say all I can in your favor, but It is to be regretted that Brennan has great Influence just now at headquarters, and Sheridan is not a man to lightly overlook those hasty words you spoke to him." 1 could only thank him most warm? ly for his Interest, realizing fully from his grave manner my desperate situation, and follow my silent con? ductor down some narrow and steep stairs until we stood upon the cement? ed floor of the basement. Here a heavy door in the stone division wall was opened; I was pushed forward l"to tht dense darkness within, and the lock clicked dully behind me. So thick was the wall I could not even distinguish the retreating steps ? ?trait) * r ? ,..?<'? came at last to a wide wooden bench, and stretching my form at full length upon it. pillowed my head on one arm, and almost Instantly was sound asleep. When I awoke, ?ore from my hard bed and stiffened by the uncom? fortable position in which I lay, it was broad daylight. That the morn? ing was. indeed, well advanced I knew from the single ray of sunlight which streamed in through a grated window high up in the wall opposite me and fell like a bar of gold across the rough stone floor. I was alone. Even in the dark of the previous night I had discovered the sole pretence to furnltdbe in the place. The room Itself proved to be a large and almost square apartment, probably during the ordinary occupancy of the house a re? ceptacle for wood or garden produce, but now peculiarly well adapted to the safeguarding of prisoners. The solid stone walls were of suf? ficient height to afford no chance of reaching the great oak girders that supported the floor above, even had the doing so offered a favorable open? ing for escape. There were, apparent? ly, but three openings of any kind,? the outside window through which the sunlight streamed, protected by thick bars of iron; a second opening, quite narrow, and likewise protected by a heavy metal grating; and the tightly locked door by means of which' I had entered. The second, I con? cluded, after inspecting it closely, was a mere air passage leading into some other division of the cellar. I noted these openings Idly, and with scarce? ly a thought as to the possibility of escape. I had awakened with strange indifference as to what my fate might be. Such a feeling was not natural to me, but the fierce emotions of the preceding night had seemingly robbed me of all my usual buoyancy of hope. It ono sense I yet trusted that Mrs. Hrennan would keep her pledge and tell her story to Sheridan; even if she failed to do this, and left me to face the- rifles or the rope, then it made but small Oddl how soan it should be over. If she cared for me in the slightest decree she would not let mo die unjustly, and to my mind then she had become the centre of all life. Despondency Is lnrgo!y a matter of physical condition, and 1 was still suffh lently fagged to be In the depths, when the door opened suddenly, ann an ordinary army ration was placed mithin The soldier who brought it did not speak, nor did I attempt to address him, hut after he retired, the appetizing imell of the baron, together with the unmistakable flavor of real coffee, drew me irresistibly that way. snd I made a hearty meal The food put new life into me. and I fell to pacing back and forth between the corners of the cell, my mind full of questioning, yet with a fresh measure of confidence- that s!l would BttU b* well 1 was >wt at it wUsu, withuul wsiu 1ng, the door once again opened, and Lieutenant Caton entered. He ad? vanced toward me with outstretched hand, which 1 grasped warmly, for I felt now much depended on his friend? ship, and resolved to ask him some questions which should solve my last remaining doubts. "Captain Wayne)," he began soberly, looking about him, "you are in even v orse stress here than I supposed, but 1 shall see to It that you are furnished with hlankfts before I leave. Sheridan is hasty himself, and his temper often leads him to rash language. 1 am sure he bears you no malice for what you said. Hut Hren nan has his ear, and has whispered something to him in confidence? what, 1 have been unable to ascertain ?which has convinced him that you are deserving of death under martial law." "Without trial?" "The opportunity of furnishing the Information desired will be again of? fered you; but, as near as I can learn, the charge preferred against you is of such a private nature that it is deemed best not to make it matter for camp talk. Whatever it may be, Sheridan evidently feels justified in taking the case out from the usual channels, and in using most drastic measures. I am sorry to bring you such news, especially as I believe the charges aro largely concocted in the brain of him who makes them, and have but tbe thinnest circumstantial evidence to sustain them. Yet Sheridan is thoroughly convinced, and will brook no interference. Th? discussion of the case has already led to his using ex? tremely harsh words to his chief of staff." "I am to be shot, then?" His hand closed warmly over mine. "While there is life there is always hope," he answered. "Surely it must be in your power to prove the nature of your mission within our lines, and the delay thus gained will enable us to learn and meet these more serious allegations." "If I but had time to communicate with General Lee." "But now?is there no one, no way by which such representation can be given this very day? If not full proof of your innocence, then sufficient, at least, to cause the necessary delay?" I shook my head. "I know of noth? ing other than my own unsupported word," I answered shortly, "and that is evidently of no value as against Major Brennan's secret Insinuations. When is the hour set?" "I am not positive that final de? cision has yet been reached, but I heard daybreak to-morrow mentioned. The probability of an early movement of our troops is the excuse urged for ???eh unseemly haste." remained silent for a moment, sclous only of his kindly eyes read my face. Mrs Breunan," 1 asked finally, re ring to the one thought in which I retained deep interest,?"does she still remain it the camp?" "She was with the Major at head ? quarters this morning. I believe they breakfasted with the General, but I wan on duty so late last night that I overslept, and thus missed the pleas? ure of meeting her again." We talked for some time longer, and he continued to urge me for some further word, but I could give him none, and finally the kindly fellow departed, promising to Bee me again within a few hours. Greatly as 1 now valued his friendship, it was, never? theless, a relief to be alone with my thoughts once more. CHAPTER XIII. A Strange Way Out. Caton came in once more about the middle of the afteflaoon, bringing me some blankeu.; but he had no news, and his boyish face was a picture of "I Am to Be Shot, Then?" pathos as he wrung my hand good? bye. Sheridan, he said, had gone down the lines, and both Hrennan and himself were under orders to follow in another hour What instructions, if any. had been left regarding my case he could not say. but he feared the worst from the una#ual secrecy. Sher? idan expected to return to his head? quarters that sc-.ine eveuing, as the officers of his staff wore to give a grand ball. 1 felt no Inclination to partake of the rudj supper left me, and just be? fore dark I was lying upon the bench idh wondering If that was to prove tl,?? last \estigo of daylight 1 should ever behold in this world, when, with* out slightest warning, the heavy Iron giatlng In the wall directly above mo fell suddenly, striking the edge of the bench, and clattered noisily to the floor The lall wafl so unexpected, and my escape from Injury so narrow, that I lay almost stunned stating up help le?*l) si IU? dttik hole thus lull baiu. , \s i gazed, a fare framed Itself In his narrow opening, and two wary yes peered cautiously down at me. There was no mistaking that counte? nance even in the fast waning light, and I instantly sat up with an ex elamatlon of surprise. "Jed Hungay, as I live!" The puzzled face broke into a grin of delight. "Holy smoke. Cap." he ejaculated, with a deep sigh of relief, "is thet you, suah? I wu8 so durned skeered I'd made a mess o" It whin thet thar iron drapped thet I near died Whtlt be they a goln' ter dew with ye?" "I have every reason to believe It is their purpose to shoot me at day? break to-morrow." "Shoot??Hell!" He stared at me as If he had just heard his own death sentence pronounced, and his little peaked face looked ghastly In the dim light. "Shoot ye? Good Lord, Cap, whut fer? Ye ain't done- nothln' as I knows on, 'cept ter scrap a bit with thet blasted Yank, ah' sure thet's no shootln' matter, er else I'd a bin a goner long ago." (TU BE CONTINUED.) _?, ! MOVE IX TIMBER FIGHT. ?i ? Is Opened by an Argument Asking for Injunction from Judge Miipp at Florence. Florence, June 1.?Another phase In the tight against the Atlantic Coast Lumber company on the timber con- j tracts In this section of the State was opened In an argument asking for an ' Injunction from Judge Bhlpp here at chambers. The case arose in the es - , tahlishment of a sawmill on a tract of land in Williamsburg count) the timber rights of which had been sold to the Atlantic Coast Lumber com? pany, and were among those on which the supreme court holds that the cut- ? ting of timber must start within a reasonable time. The lumber com? pany asks for an injunction against the further cutting and sawing of the timber. The argument was takefl under advisement. There are many separate cases now in the courts of Williamsburg am1 Marion counties on this timber ques? tion, one case has been taken to the supreme court for settlement. In , it Judge DeVore holds that 12 years is a reasonable time, and that timber cutting In that time will be required. This would throw out of the control of the great lumber corporation more acres of line timber land thun one COUld count. The figures are not ob? tainable, but it is supposed that the timber rights bought up cover prae- j ticffllV every targe body of desirable timber in this .ection of the State. The rights were signed away for com? paratively small consideration from tea to 19 years ago. The contract gives the right to cut from the land all timber growing within 2?) years after cutting is commenced, the com? mencement time, being optional with the lumber company and on that h> deflniteness the men seeking to break the sale have worked and so far have won their case. It is thought that the settlement of this case will have a great deal to do with whether the Atlantic Coast Lum ber company rebuilds Its burned plant at Georgetown or not. HODY MAY AHOLISH ITSELF. Florida Lawmakers to Consider Resolution for state Commission Government. Tllahassee, Fla., June 1.?Tumor? \ row the Florida legislature is expect? ed to consider a resolution which con? templates abolishment of both house and senate and the establishment of a state commission form of govern? ment. The resolution provides for 16 I commissioners, each to receive a sal? ary of $4,000 annually. These com? missioners w<?ubi, according to the plan, elect a governor, whose salary would not be less than $10,000 a year. It Is said that the legislature is dis? satisfied with the amount of neces? sary legislation enacted during the present session. MANY KM I t l> IN FIGHT. Laredo, Texas, June 1.?In the fighting at Columbia, Mexico, yester? day Longoria, leader of the rebel band which was routed by the federals, and HI of his fellowers were killed. Six federals also were killed, all of them, It is said, by bullets from Longoria's revolver. Longoria, an Indian, organized his band and swore vengeance on the fed? erals, when a relative named Crambo was hanged a month ago, charged w ith being u rebel spj. SEVEN PERSONS POISON F.D. Lnmar, Ma> ">\. to the boarding house of IV It McLendon, seven of the boarders were taken violent!) ill with ptomaine poison bist night as follows: c. L. Dalton, W. C Poole, s. Vaughn, M. K Howcll, Miss Kdlth Itlat kmnn, Mr. and Mrs p ll, Me Lendoii, The doctors were called In and re? mained with tin in all night. Ml are out oi danger I his moi nine, it Is supposed that beel which was bought from local market was I he cuuse id 1 be ? Ickness, GOT OVER MERCURY POISOX. Bicarbonate of Soda Solution Saved Detroit Engineer. Detroit. May 30.?Thomas ftfcCabe, a Detroit engineer, who swallowed 10 grains of bichloride of mercury e week ago. has recovered. A solution of bicarbonate of soda, Injected into his veins by Dr. Andren T. Sherman, saved the life of the engineer, who took the poison be cause B. Sanders Walker, of Macon, Oa., said death from its effects was painless. ?'I believe if bicarbonate of soda is used In such eases a large percentage of them will be saved," said Dr. Sher? man. "The injections can be made in any vein. I made eight punctures in all, the injections being given every live or six hours. Fourteen drams of bicarbonate of soda in three pints of 'normal water' sedation was used. "The thing of most importance in administering the treatment is to be certain the solution is absolutely aseptic, otherwise the patient would be killed by it." After swallowing the poison and suffering intense agony McCabe decid ed he wanted to live and aided the physician in every way possible. :tKI> REGIMENT GOEfl TO INDER? SON. Governor changes Order **t S. <?., s. C, ITicainpnient. Columbia, May 30?Governor \Bleaae this morning, as Commander In-chief of the National Guard of the State, issued orders to Adj. Gen. Moor,- instructing him to have the 1st regiment encamp at Aiken. the i 3rd i?*giment to encamp at Anderson and the 2nd to encamp on the State t ide rt-nge in Lexington county, if the men desired, but advising them not to do so as he did not think the range could be placed in the proper sani? tary condition in time for the en? campment. The Adjutant General had already begun to make arrangements for all three regiments of the Nation tl Guard to encamp this summer on tV.e Stnte rifle range, which was recently pure based in Lexington county, near this city, and which is now being put in condition, Adjt Gen. Moore had no comment to make on the letter of the Gover? nor. Don't Think for One Minute ?mmi Think for two, three, five or even ten minutes before you part with that lit? tle "spare change." If. counts up fast in a Savings account av The Peoples'* Bank t It Has Been Said That with all our gr.- in ess as a nation we arc a wasteful, extrava O gant people; that we do not take advantage of our opportunities o us wc should, or as we would if wo lived In a different country J> Where there were not so many of them. This Is not alt >getl?er true J ? of our community, ulthougli there ore l>eople even li? our com O munlty who could get ahead faster, Increase their accumulations \l by using a systematic plan fo laying by a part of their Income. ' | If you haven't investigated our Hank Account Plan for accumu <? latitig small sums Into a large one, come In and let us explain it to < ? you. ij FIRST NATIONAL BANK Think it Over You need the assistance of a good bank to do business with. We need new depositors in order to increase our business yearly. Having dealt fairly with others for 24 years. don't you think your checking account would be safe with us. The Bank of Sumter I The Farmers* Bank & Trust Company Capital Stock, Surplus, Liability of Stockholders Protection to Its Dcpt sitors, Si 20.000.00 77,000.00 I 20,000.00 $317,01)0.00 Active, Accommodating, Conservative We Want Your Business.