A Daughter of the Union

  CHAPTER XV

  BEFORE GENERAL BUTLER AGAIN

  Jeanne handed the package to the soldier without a word. The man took itand then said in a harsh manner:

  "Follow me. It seems to me that you are beginning mighty young."

  Still silent the girl trudged wearily along beside him. She was very tiredand the way to the Custom-House was long. But she uttered no complaint.Far bitterer to bear than fatigue was the thought that she, Jeanne Vance,had carried information to the enemies of her country.

  The Custom-House where General Butler had established his permanentofficial headquarters was finally reached, and she was conducted throughthe court-room where Major Bell was dispensing justice to a smaller roomadjoining the office of the Commander. A number of persons were in theapartment awaiting the coming of the General.

  "Has the General come in yet?" asked her captor of an Orderly.

  "No; but we expect him every moment. Is it anything of importance?"

  "I think so. I captured a young girl who has been beyond the lines, andhas returned with a package of letters from the Johnnies. The other boysgave chase to the negro woman who was with her, but this is the main one,I guess. I think the General ought to see the letters immediately."

  "By all means. I will tell him as soon as he comes, so that he will attendto you at once. There are a number waiting this morning."

  Faint and weary Jeanne sank into the seat assigned her, and waitedapathetically the summons which were to lead her to the General'spresence. It came soon and she was led into the office where the Generalsat behind a long table on which lay a pistol.

  This was the man's sole precaution against assassination, and was usedonly after the discovery of one or two plots to kill him. There wereseveral of his staff with him in the room, but the girl saw only thestern face of the Commander. He gave a start of surprise as his eyesfell upon her.

  "You?" he exclaimed. "Are you the girl who has been caught bringingcontraband letters into the city? Child, child, I am surprised."

  Jeanne's lips quivered and she turned very pale, but she only said:

  "Yes, sir; I did it."

  "And you are the girl who professed such devotion to the cause of yourcountry? You, who carried the flag upon your person, and kissed it to showyour patriotism? I am more than surprised! I am grieved!"

  "Don't," exclaimed Jeanne, her utterance choked with sobs. "Oh, sir, Ido love my country, but I am not worthy to carry its flag any longer. Takeit." She drew the flag from her dress and laid it before him.

  Her distress was so evident, so real that General Butler's glance softened.

  "If you feel like that," he said not unkindly, "perhaps you will tell methe truth about the matter."

  "Gladly," cried Jeanne eagerly. "I will tell you anything that you ask."

  "These letters prove that there has been communication exchanged before.Have you ever been on a like expedition?"

  "No, sir; I do not know that you will believe me when I say that I did notknow what I was doing when I went on this errand. But I did not. I wouldrather have died than to have given aid to the enemies of the Union; andyet I did it."

  "Suppose you tell me just how it happened," suggested the General. "I willgladly hear any extenuating circumstances that you may give, for I am lothto believe that you are guilty of treachery."

  With many tears Jeanne related her story. "I can never forgive myself,"she concluded mournfully. "I deserve to be punished."

  "What was in the basket that you carried over?"

  "There was some medicine, quinine, I think, jellies, and other delicacies."

  "There were no documents of any kind? Think well, child."

  "I did not see any, but Feliciane told me, and the rebel soldier also,that there was news of an attack to be made upon General Thompson. I amconvinced that the intelligence was concealed in the false bottom of mybasket. You remember where I carried the quinine, sir?" Then she told howher aunt had examined the basket and suggested its use.

  "Beyond doubt it carried the information," remarked Butler. "GeneralThompson with his men is just beyond our lines. I have known for sometime that communication had been going on between the citizens and thesoldiers, and have been keeping a sharp lookout. Still they managed toelude my vigilance some way. The Vances are among the ring leaders. Whyhave you remained here so long?" he asked, suddenly. "Why have you notreturned to your father?"

  "I have not heard from him," said Jeanne, her tears flowing afresh. "Inall this long time I have not heard one word."

  "That is very strange!" The General looked thoughtful. "Of course inthe vicinity surrounding us, and in all the country between here andRichmond the telegraphs and mails are in the hands of the Confederates.But a letter could come safely by the sea route. I am in communicationwith Washington continually. There must be something wrong. Have youwritten to him?"

  "Often and often. Uncle Ben mailed the letters for me. My aunt told meyesterday that they were going to take me home soon."

  "After hoodwinking you the way she has, do you believe it? There issomething here that I do not understand. I believe that you are truthful,child, and have been victimized for some purpose. I will have to watchthose people more closely."

  "But how could I consent to do what I have?" cried Jeanne. "Oh, I willnever forgive myself."

  "Older ones than you might have been deceived," comforted the General. "Ihave read that 'under every flower there lurks a serpent'; and where thereis so much sweetness and amiability there is ground for the suspicionthat the reptile will sooner or later make his appearance. You mustguard against such seductive measures, my child. They are more to befeared than the most violent opposition. Your uncle has a great deal ofproperty, has he not?"

  "Why, yes," said Jeanne. "But do you know, General, that the queer partof it is that he has given it all to me?"

  "Ha, ha!" roared the General. "Another attempt to evade the ConfiscationAct, eh? And you did not know the reason?"

  "My aunt said that you would take it from them because they were rebels,and that as I was a Unionist you would not touch it if it were mine."

  "I think that I'll make that a boomerang that shall rebound on their ownheads," remarked the General with a twinkle in his eye. "Now, child, whatare you going to do?"

  "I do not know, sir. I wish I could go home."

  "Would you feel very badly if I sent you back to your uncle's?"

  "Must I go there?" Jeanne uttered a cry of dismay. "I don't believe thatI can, General Butler. I don't feel as if I ever wanted to see either ofthem again."

  "But if you could help me?" suggested the General. "You might, Jeanne."

  "If I could be of any service," said Jeanne bravely though every featureshowed her dislike to the suggestion. "I will go."

  "You are a brave little girl," said the Commander with appreciation. "Ibelieve in you thoroughly, child, else I would not ask this of you."

  "I am glad that you trust me," said Jeanne gratefully, her last fear ofhim vanishing. "I had begun to believe that I could never trust myselfagain."

  "Our truest strength lies in knowing our weaknesses," said the Generalsententiously. "Truth is written on your face, and you are earnest andthoughtful beyond your years. The thing I wish you to do is this: goback to your uncle's and conduct yourself as far as possible as you havedone. I am convinced that another attempt will soon be made to carryinformation to Thompson. I want you to let me know when the time willbe. You can find out by keeping your eyes and ears open. Show that youare indignant at the part you have been made to play for that will beexpected. Send me word the moment you suspect that the attempt will bemade. Can you do this?"

  "I will try, General. I will do it if only to redeem myself in your eyes.If I can find out the time I will."

  "Then you may go now. I think you can understand why it is that I am sosuspicious of every one, do you not, child? By the way, I found thateverything was just as you said it was when you were here before. Thathas made it easy for you
this time. Am I forgiven for the way I treatedyou then?"

  "I forgave you long ago," said the girl sweetly. "I had been here but ashort time when I realized that you must have hard work to hold thesepeople down. And you have been good to believe me, General Butler. Youare not nearly so bad as people think you are. They don't know how kindyou are."

  The General laughed and then sighed.

  "I am afraid that there are not many who will agree with you," he said."But there, child! I must attend to business. I will write to your fathermyself and just as soon as I hear from him you shall know it."

  "Will you?" cried Jeanne. "And oh, do tell him to send for me soon."

  "Yes, you poor child! Or if I see an opportunity to send you safely homeyou shall go. I think that I can send you by one of the steamers. If Ihad known of this you should have returned with Mrs. Butler."

  "I wish I could have done so," said the girl wistfully.

  "Well, you shall go soon, I promise you. Keep a brave heart, and rememberthat it will not be long before you shall go. Good-bye."

  He shook hands with her warmly, and then stopped her as she was leavingthe room.

  "Your flag, my little girl. We had forgotten your flag."

  "I am not worthy," whispered the girl looking longingly at it.

  "My dear, so long as your heart is as loyal as it is there is no one moreworthy. Take it and keep it unsullied as you have done."

  Jeanne took it joyfully and then departed. Full of misgiving shereluctantly wended her way toward her uncle's house.