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

the porch the poor girl threw herself d

im. I cannot let him go! It would be wicked. God pity me! But how, how to prevent it? If I can only de

cause of the South and those other appeals, which, finding lodgment in her heart, moved her so profoundly. She wrestled with t

herself three years before. It dated back to Colonial times. There was a strong room in it, the windows of which were barred. It would make a safe prison for any one. He should be put in th

uld explain it to him, too; and he would forgive her also and she would reward h

er, "Mr. Sempland is coming here to-night to see me. I-he-" she found it somewhat difficult to explain. "General Beauregard wants him detained here. I cannot let him get away. Show him into the strong room on th

oes," answered Cato, the oldest

est of you stay in the passage, and as soon as he enters lock the door upon him. Don't neglect that! He'll try to get out. H

tions to carry them out. As they were talking together a light step sounded on the porch. There was a ring at the door. The men hurr

And from where she stood in the drawing-room, Fa

right dis way, suh, Mass' Sempland. Miss Fanny done axes you to go in dis room at

had formerly been used as an office and as a treasure room. Seeing the visitor safe within, C?sar calmly withdrew, and as he adroitly coughed violently in the passage Sempland did not hear the ponderous key turning

e muttered

ved no answer. He struck and called again and again, his voice rising to a shout while his hands were bleed

de matt

antly, you black dog

a-comin

cking and battering again upon the door in furious rage,

Sempl

Glen?" he cried. "You sent for me. I came. Why am I lo

my orders, Mr. Sempland,"

e! For wha

ause

do! I am ordered to-night on a hazardous expedition. I m

returned

you open this door? I w

can

y n

h you to go out

You said I had done nothing but lie in pri

to-ni

ss! Think what

't hel

y n

ause

ame, what d

" said the girl, so softly that he could scarce hear her. "You will forgive me when you

will dishonor me? If

I will not have the Waba

coquette! Let me out, I say! I will get out!

tood in the hall frightened nearly to death. What mad scheme had she entered upon? Had she strength enough to carry it through? The three servants were terrified also, their eyes rolling in their sockets, their

s a sojah man at de do', an' he want

y Glen, resolutely. "Say

to me, Fanny Glen! I swear to you, on my honor as a gentleman, if you

wouldn't

so help

e girl listening in the passage heard

n greater terror tha

within, she had suffered without the room. Such a look of mortal agony and anguish he had never seen on any human face. She trembled violently before him. Yet she was resolute not to give way, determined to keep the door. Clustered at her back were the three trem

as suddenly

you were to go at seven. It i

head bent toward the floor, thinking deeply. Her heart went out to him then,

ak to me for a moment?" he as

ward, the door was closed, and loc

esolute, miserable. "You have ruined me for life! I begged that detail. I volunteered. I m

she could not trus

tand you. If it

ly, mute appeal for mercy, f

to death, to worse th

can

She was as a child before his strength. With his right hand he presented his pistol to her temple. He took advantage of her weakness, but only in the s

ed out sharply.

h," answ

is at her head. If you do not instantly op

effort to struggle and looking up into the infuriated man's face with the expression

d again, "unless you wou

In a second the door was opened. The awe-str

y feet, you black hounds!" shout

and bludgeon clattered

Leave the hall! I w

!" cried the girl

ed her in

ar it is too late. I wouldn't hurt a hair

He wasted a few precious seconds, but he could not help it. She threw her arms abo

" she cried. "Stay wi

ust

success, doubt-nerved her to action. After a few moments of awful uncertainty she followed Sempland along the hallway, out through the door, and into the night. He was