A Little Traitor to the South / A War Time Comedy with a Tragic Interlude

t is why I love you. You have no father or brother to advise you. I must do it and I will, much as it pains me. If you won't take my affection, you must my

l. "To me he is alway

, I'll admit. And he has

have escaped dangers b

k she lost a large p

her cruel thrust, but persistent, "but

ou would better discuss yo

put off in this

she interrupted, but

r of a gentleman when he wishes to exhibit it, but nevertheless he is not a fit pers

ame!" crie

calmly, "and I realize, of course, that I

atter y

is

rival of M

then, as

hi

yo

ou a frien

ng but unhappiness awaits you if you encourage him. I know him, I tell yo

rl, passionately, turning her hea

hear this first of all. I am not saying anything about Major Lacy which is not a matter of public

ell me

not beli

N

een questioned heretofore-that I told him these very things not longer

, her curiosity getting the

uch as I," he replied with sturdy honesty, "but that he would take gre

as not that a

him for it and told him so. At the same time I t

ried the girl, almost choking w

re to serve you, greater than everything save

love be returned, it enta

do not

ried the girl

't, but won't y

won

t you

N

not disl

ate

u love

allow you to

g her almost savagely by the arm, and in

me," sai

e more than I do you.

ainst them, he tries to overcome them. The whole South knows hi

You

te a brother soldier, why don't you do someth

acy, quietly entering the room through one of the long windows ope

have you told yo

es

e to this

hav

as an utter scound

s I said to you I would, and for that I am ready to answer in any

, Miss Glen?" continued Lacy

t true!" burst out t

y, softly. "I am all that

t what you

ke courage to defy me, to tell me to my face that I was a scoundrel, a blackguard? And it took more courage to defy custom, convention, propriety, to come here and tell you t

you," cried Fanny Glen, turn

be one, that is, as well as a brave man. He has good blood in him, but that doesn't alter the case. He

rd, a scoundrel. I have fallen low, very low. But sometimes I am a gentleman. Perhaps in your presence I might always be. I can't tell. I'm not sure.

however, the blood flamed into his dark face. Fanny Glen grew very white, her blue eyes shone like stars in the pallor of her face under her fair hair. She hesitated

I warn you if you do not take me, you will take Sempland. Look at him,-" he smiled satirically,-"he always gets w

omment upon me?

id, Miss Glen, it is a choice between us. Do not choose me, if you should be so fatuously inclined, because I happen to have had some chances for distinct

oward the handsomer and weaker man, and a half turn toward the homelier and stronger. In her heart of hearts she found in that moment which she preferred. And, as love is wa

at him, "if you only had

cried, his

nd more used to women, read her preference and his rejection. Bu

id about you. But I do not love you." She drew away from him. "You were mistaken. There is no choice between you, for I love neithe

e in her hands and

your praise," said Sempland, i

e surface,-"no one has respected me, or trusted me, or honored me as you have, for years. Sempland cannot ro