Love under Fire Page 10

  CHAPTER X

  MISS WILLIFRED INTERVENES

  Any effort at escape was clearly useless; the noise and shouting hadalready attracted the attention of those within, and a half-dozenofficers streamed out through the dining-room door, eager to learn whathad occurred.

  "What's the trouble out here, Sims?" demanded the first to appear,striding forward. "Well, by all the gods, a Yank, and in full regalia!Where did you discover this fellow?"

  "I'd been back fer a drink, sir," explained the sergeant, still eyingme, "an' was just comin' in through ther door yer, when I run inter him,sneakin' 'long ther wall--thet's ther whole bloomin' story."

  The officer, a smooth-faced lad, turned abruptly to me.

  "Well, what have you got to say?"

  "Nothing," I answered quietly, "you are perfectly welcome to draw yourown conclusions."

  "Oh, indeed," sarcastically. "We'll see what more civil answer you'llmake to the general. Sims, bring the fellow along."

  The two soldiers grabbed me roughly by the arms, but I made noresistance, cool enough by this time, although realizing fully the perilof my position. I was marched in through the open door, and stood up inthe centre of the dining-room, Sims posted on one side of me, the guardon the other, the officers forming a picturesque background. Beauregardwas on his feet, and Miss Hardy stood between the windows, her handsclasped, her cheeks red.

  "What is all this, gentlemen? A Federal officer in full uniform? Howcomes he here?"

  I made no attempt to answer, unable to formulate an excuse, and theyoung fellow broke in swiftly,

  "Sims caught him in the hall, General. He is unarmed, but refuses toexplain."

  The general's stern dark eyes were upon my face.

  "Hardly a spy, I think," he said quietly. "What is the explanation, sir?Are you the bearer of a message?"

  I started to speak, but before the first uncertain word came to my lips,the girl swept forward, and stood between us.

  "Let me explain," she cried swiftly. "This gentleman is a friend ofCaptain Le Gaire's, and was presented to me as Major Atherton, formerlyon General Pemberton's staff--perhaps there may be some here whoknow him?"

  She glanced inquiringly about on the faces of the group, and a stockilybuilt infantry captain struck his open hand on the table.

  "By Jove, that's it! Thought I recognized the face. How are you,Atherton?--met you at Big Shanty."

  Still puzzled, although evidently relieved, Beauregard remainedmotionless.

  "But the uniform?" he questioned. "And how did you reach the hallwaywithout being seen?"

  Her eyes met mine in a rapid flash of understanding, a little nervouslaugh drawing the general's attention.

  "It is almost ridiculous," she exclaimed. "Major Atherton came throughthe lines with me last night. He was detailed on special service, forwhich purpose he donned that uniform. On meeting Captain Le Gaire here,and learning of your advance, it was no longer necessary for him toproceed at once, and, as he was very tired, he was persuaded to lie downin a room upstairs. Waking, he naturally came down into the hall,knowing nothing of your arrival. Have I correctly presented the case,Major Atherton?"

  Her eyes challenged me, and I bowed.

  "A perfectly clear statement."

  "And a most charming advocate," added Beauregard. "We must find you somemore appropriate garments, Major, but meanwhile there is room here atthe table. Captain Bell, would you kindly move a little to the right.Now, Hughes, serve Major Atherton."

  I do not recall ever feeling more awkwardly embarrassed than during thenext few minutes. Not that the assembled officers lacked in courtesy, orfailed to interest in light conversation. Led by the general they allendeavored to make me forget my strange position, and the unpleasantepisode of arrest. Indeed, but for the presence of Miss Willifred in theroom I imagine I should have been very much at ease, perfectly capableof doing my full share of entertaining. But with the girl standingsilently in the shadow of the curtains, her eyes occasionally meetingmine, I felt a constant restraint which impelled me to answer almost inmono-syllables. She had openly defended me, saved me from arrest;without telling a direct falsehood she had, nevertheless, led these meninto a grievous misunderstanding. Why had she done this? Throughpersonal interest in me? Through some wild impulse of the moment? Icould not even guess; only, I was assured of one thing: her secretmotive involved no lack of loyalty to the cause of the South. Realizingthis I dare not presume on her continued friendliness, dare not sitthere and lie calmly, filling these men with false information, andpermitting imagination to run rampant. Her eyes condemned that, and Ifelt the slightest indiscretion on my part would result in betrayal.Perhaps even then she regretted her hasty action, and sought some excusefor blurting out the truth. Fortunately conversation drifted into safechannels. Bell was full of reminiscences of Big Shanty, requiring on mypart but brief acquiescence, and, after a very few personal questions bythe others, sufficiently direct to demand reply, Beauregard asked meabout the disposition of Johnston's forces, to which I was fortunatelyable to respond intelligently, giving him many details, sufficientlyinteresting, although of no great value. To his desire for informationrelative to Chambers' advance from the south, and the number of histroops, I was obliged to guess rather vaguely, but finally got away witha vivid description of Miss Hardy's night ride, which caused even thegirl herself to laugh, and chime in with a word or two. With theofficers the meal was nearly completed when I joined them, and it wastherefore not long until the general, noting the others had finished,pushed back his own chair.

  "We will adjourn to the parlor, gentlemen," he said genially, "I shallhave other orders to despatch presently. When you finish, Major, I shallbe glad to talk with you more at length; until then we leave you to thecare of Miss Hardy."

  They passed out, and as the door closed behind the last straggler, shecame slowly across the room, and sat down in a chair opposite me,resting her flushed cheek on one hand.

  "What made you do it?" I asked, impelled by a curiosity which could nolonger be restrained.

  "Oh, I don't know," and her lashes lifted, giving me one swift glimpseinto the depths of her eyes. "A mere impulse when I first realized thedanger of your position."

  "Then it was for me?--because you cared?"

  "Perhaps I would have done the same for any one--I am a woman."

  "I can comprehend that, yes," I insisted, "but am not willing to believemere sympathy would carry you so far. Was there not, back of all, afeeling almost of friendship?"

  "I make no such acknowledgment. I spoke before I thought; before I evenrealized what my words meant. And you?--how came you there?"

  I told her briefly, answering her questions without reserve, rejoicingin the interest she exhibited in my narrative, and eager to know at oncehow far I could still presume on her assistance. I wanted to get away,to escape from the web about me, but I could not understand this girl,or comprehend how far I dare venture on her good nature. Already I knewthat some feeling--either of friendship or sympathy--had impelled her tosave me from immediate betrayal, but would she go even further?Everything between us conspired to bewilder me as to her real purpose.Even as I concluded, it seemed to me her eyes hardened, and theexpression of her face changed.

  "That was extremely clever, Lieutenant Galesworth," she commentedquietly. "I never knew the chimney touched that wall. Now what do youpropose doing?"

  "You must understand my only interest is in getting away as soon aspossible. I am in constant danger here."

  "Of course," nodding, her cheeks flushed. "And you also possess veryimportant information. Because I have aided you to escape capture, doyou conclude I am a fool?"

  "Most assuredly not."

  "Or a traitress to the South?"

  "I could not think that."

  "Then let us clearly understand each other once for all. I have savedyou from capture, perhaps death. The reason I have done this need not bediscussed; indeed I could not satisfactorily explain my action even tomyself. But if
the truth ever becomes known I shall be placed in a mostembarrassing position. Surely you understand this, and you are agentleman; I am sure of that. You are not going to carry that news toyour camp. Before I should permit that to happen I would denounce youopenly, and permit those men yonder to think evil of me. But I do notbelieve that course necessary. Instead, I am going to trust you as agentleman--am going to accept your word of honor."

  "My word? You mean my parole?"

  "You may call it that--your pledge to remain in this house until I sayyou may go."

  "But--"

  "Stop! Lieutenant Galesworth, do you not owe this to me?"

  I hesitated, fronting this direct question, looking straight across thetable into her serious face, as she leaned toward me. What was my mostimportant duty--that which I owed the Federal army, or that I owed tothis girl? And then again--did I really have a choice? There was never adoubt in my mind as to what she would do if the occasion arose. I hadtested her quality already, and fully comprehended the promise to turnme over to the Confederate guard was no idle threat. She would trust myword, but, failing that, would certainly do the other thing. There wasno spirit of play in those eyes watching me.

  "Apparently I possess no real choice," I answered, at last. "Either wayI am a prisoner."

  She smiled, evidently relieved at my tone.

  "Yes--but have you no preference as to captors?"

  "Put thus, hesitation ends; I accept the terms of parole."

  "You mean it?"

  "Yes."

  She extended her hand across the table, and I as instantly grasped it,both almost unconscious of the actions.

  "I ought to thank you," I began, but she broke in as quickly:

  "No; please don't. I know I am not doing what I should. It is all sostrange that I am actually dazed; I have lost all understanding ofmyself. It is painful enough to realize that I yield to these impulses,without being constantly reminded that I fail in duty. I do not wantyour gratitude."

  She had withdrawn her hand, and was upon her feet. I thought her wholeform was trembling, her lips seeking to frame words.

  "I certainly had no intention of hurting you."

  "Oh, I know--I know that. You cannot understand. Only I am sorry youcame--came into my life, for ever since it has been trouble. Now youmust simply wait until I say go, and then you will go; won't you?"

  "Yes--but not to forget."

  She turned back toward me.

  "You had better," coldly. "It will be useless to remember."

  It was my turn to smile, for she could not play the part, her eyesveiling themselves behind the long lashes.

  "Nevertheless I shall," I insisted warmly. "I find it not altogetherunpleasant--being your prisoner."