o a stop.

"Go ahead! Don't stop!" screamed Mrs. Bradner, more unreasonable than
ever.

"Madam, you had best keep quiet," said Captain Fordick. "We know what
you and your husband have been doing to Captain Lyon, and you can both
consider yourselves under military arrest."

"Under arrest!" gasped the lady. "How dare you speak to me in this
insulting fashion!"

"I dare by the authority of the United States. You will please keep
quiet while the negro drives you back to the house."

"I won't keep quiet! I'll--"

"Oh, Martha, shut up!" broke in the colonel. "You'll only make matters
worse."

"What, Dick Bradner, do you turn against me?" was the indignant query.
"Have you no backbone left to stand up against these--these vile
Northern mudsills?"

"If you don't keep quiet I'll have you bound and gagged, Madam," said
Captain Fordick, after whispering to Artie.

"You won't do--"

"Yes, I will. Cameron and Waltling, advance and bind this woman. If she
says another word, gag her."

For one moment the lady of the plantation glared at the speaker. Then
her courage gave way, and she sank back and burst into tears.

"Oh, please--please don't touch me!" she moaned. "I'll--I'll keep
quiet--I didn't mean anything by what I said."

"Very well then--see you remain silent." The captain of the mounted
infantry turned to the negro driver. "Turn back to where you came from,
and lose no time in driving."

"Yes, Mars'r Ossifer!" replied Joe, promptly, and there was a grin on
his ebony face, as though he rather enjoyed the discomfiture of his
mistress.

With roads so bad, it was hard work to get the closed carriage back to
the mansion, and once it looked as if the turnout would have to be
abandoned in the mud. But the trip was finally concluded, and the
colonel and his downcast spouse were marched into the sitting room.

"Now, Colonel Bradner, the boot is on the other leg," remarked Artie,
and it must be confessed the young captain could not help smiling. "How
do you like the situation?"

"I don't like it," grumbled the crippled advocate of the Southern cause.
"But I have sense enough not to kick;" with a significant glance at his
wife.

"Dick Bradner, if we ever--" began Mrs. Bradner, when a look from
Captain Fordick silenced her. All three of the Union captains now
questioned Bradner concerning Gossley's return.

"He won't be back--he has gone to join Bragg," said the colonel, before
his wife could speak.

"He will