Crisis, the — Volume 05 by Winston Churchill
page 64 of 106 (60%)
page 64 of 106 (60%)
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weariness under his eyes.
"Do you know if Clarence Colfax has gone home?" Mr. Brinsmade inquired. "Clarence is an idiot," cried George, ill-naturedly. Mr. Brinsmade, of all the prisoners here, he refused to take the parole, or the oath of allegiance. He swears he will remain a prisoner until he is exchanged." "The young man is Quixotic," declared the elder Catherwood, who was not himself in the best of humors. "Sir," said Mr. Brinsmade, with as much severity as he was ever known to use, "sir, I honor that young man for this more than I can tell you. Nicodemus, you may drive on." And he slammed the door. Perhaps George had caught sight of a face in the depths of the carriage, for he turned purple, and stood staring on the pavement after his choleric parent had gone on. It was done. Of all the thousand and more young men who had upheld the honor of their state that week, there was but the one who chose to remain in durance vile within the Arsenal wall--Captain Clarence Colfax, late of the Dragoons. Mr. Brinsmade was rapidly admitted to the Arsenal, and treated with the respect which his long service to the city deserved. He and Virginia were shown into the bare military room of the commanding officer, and thither presently came Captain Lyon himself. Virginia tingled with antagonism when she saw this man who had made the city tremble, who had set an iron heel on the flaming brand of her Cause. He, too, showed the marks of his |
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