United States or Monaco ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
If ye have anythin' any preparations to make, ye'd better be quick about it, sor." "Thank you," answered Sempland. "You hear, dearest? You must go. I must have a moment to myself to enable me to face this court-martial. Leave me now, I beg of you. Go home. After it is over I shall ask permission of the general to have you visit me." "I cannot go," said Fanny Glen, archly. "Why not?"
"Well, Sempland," said Lacy, with astonishing courtesy and forbearance under all the circumstances, as he overtook the other man plodding along the shaded street, "you don't seem to be in much greater favor with the young lady than I." "Lacy," returned the other, "you did well this evening. You are not good enough for Miss Glen, I still think. Nobody is, for that matter, but you less than others.
Boys," she continued, as three stalwart young negroes presented themselves before her soon after, "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 the other side of the house when he asks for me, and then lock the door on him.
I had only two thoughts that it meant certain death to my father and possibly Mr. Sempland the man I What was I to do? I might have sacrificed myself by letting Mr. Sempland run the risk, but my father, sir " She stopped and looked at him in pitiful entreaty. "Go on," said the general, inflexibly. "I had Mr. Sempland ushered into the strong room of the house the old Rennie house, you know, sir?"
But all this is beside the question. We are losing sight of the main point. For the last time, will you tell me why you failed to be on hand?" "General Beauregard, as I said, I would rather be where Lacy is now than have failed as I did, but I cannot tell you what detained me" "For the last time, Mr. Sempland, I beg of you to answer me. You know the consequences?" The general spoke sharply now.
I hate you both!" she flashed out inconsistently. "Now go! I don't want to see either of you again." She buried her face in her hands and burst into tears. "I will do something to deserve your praise," said Sempland, in his deep voice, turning away.
"Miss Glen," said Lacy, most graciously, Fanny Glen's presence seemed to call all that was good in him to the surface, "no one has respected me, or trusted me, or honored me as you have, for years. Sempland cannot rob me of that, even though he should win you. Good-by, and, if it be not grotesque from me, may God bless you!"
He put out his hand to the young man, and Sempland shook it vigorously. "I pray that I may succeed for the sake of the South, sir," returned the young man, firmly. "For the sake of the South, gentlemen. That is our watchword," cried Beauregard, standing up and bringing his hand to a salute. "Have you any preparations to make, Sempland?" asked Lacy, when they left the office.
Such determination and contumacy had at last got the better of his patience and forbearance. He had tried to save Sempland, but the young officer would give him no assistance. Well, on his own head it would be. "You realize what is before you, sir?" "Yes, sir." "A court-martial. Possibly nay, certainly, death. For in the face of your refusal to explain I can do nothing more for you."
"But the David!" said the girl, who knew the sinister story of the crazy submarine torpedo boat as did every one in Charleston. "It is sure death!" "It is dangerous," said Lacy, softly, "but General Beauregard has ordered Sempland to keep her on the surface. That ought to give them a chance. Glassell escaped, you remember, when he tried the New Ironsides." "He will be killed!
Word Of The Day