The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-07
The Commander Of The Post
BY WALLACE P. REED.
For the Constitution.

ummer of 'sixty-four.
The village was situated on a small river in
Florida leading to the gulf, and it was sup
posed to be place of some strategic impor-
lance
For four years q small force of federals
had been endeavoring at odd times to capture
Cottonboro and small force of coniederates
had succeeded in keeping them back.
A hot July sun was blazing down on Cotton
boro, and the streets were deserted. Here
and there in some shady nook might have
been seen few soldiers playing cards and
telling stories, but there was no other sign of
life.
Colonel Melton was pacing the sidewalk in
front of his headquarters. He was the COM
mander of the post, but he had very little to
do. There was no fighting in prospect, and it
was not necessary to keep the men under very
strict discipline.
The commander of the post surveyed the
situation.
He felt the deadening influence of the sultry
summer heat, and gasped for breath.
81 must take q nap, "he said, "there is moth
ing to be done here"
just then he saw cloud of dust in the dis
lance, a mile or so away.
81 will watt" he remarked "there may DO
trouble in that quarter"
The commander was right In a very few
minutes number of cavalrymen rode in with
captured spy.
Shall we hang him OF try him." asked the
leader of the party.
Colonel Melton was about to give an oifhand
reply, when his eyes fell upon the face of the
prisoner. He saw handsome youth covered
with dust, and bearing the marks of travel and
exposure.
"Eeave him to me, said the colonel quickly,
81 will question him privately"
When the prisoner was alone with the COM
mandor of the post the latter said:
"Clara, 1 penetrated your disguise at
glance. How is that you are here?"
The prisoner gave captious nod, such as
only woman could give"
"John Melton" she replied, "I am sorry to
look upon your hated face again"
"But you are in trouble" answered the COM
mander gravey, "and / must see you out OF
it,"
81 scorn your help!" cried the disguised
spy. "You deserted me after | had been
faithful wife for years, and you lett me to face
the world and earn my own living. My talents
found employment down this way as a spy, and
] went into the business with a full knowledge
of the consequences. You may tell your mon
take me out and shoot me-"
81 cannot do that" replied the commgnder,
.vier can allow you to be tried. II you are
held for trial you will be searched by crowd
of rude soldiers. My wife must not be sub
jected to such indignities."
"Your wife!" sneered the spy. "What did
you care for her when you ran away from
her?"
The colonel sfivered and then he.looked
straight into the woman's eyes
81 had my reasons" he said, "and have
never regretted my action. / wish you were
dead, but l do not propose to have hand in
heaping disgrace upon you"
The womans eyes fell, but In a moment she
recovered herself.
"Then, John Melton she said, "I am safe"
"You are" answered the commander of the
post; mot hair Of your head will be harmed"
He spoke with an air OF authority, and the
woman looked at him with newly kindled
interest in her eyes.
"John," she said softly.
"None of that" responded the colonel.
"When l left you, it was for good and all. I
must get you out of this scrape, but you must
never cross my path again"
"But what are you going to do?" asked the
spy.
leave it to me, said the colonel.
told them to bind the spy's hands.
'J4eave his feet unbound" said the colonel,
81 am going to make the fellow take walk
with me-"
GLOW is that, colonel?" inquired Captain
Dallas
"a secret OF state" whispered the colonel,
"it is the only way to get it. / will walk with
him to the place where he has buried his pa
pers."
Good" cried the captain "Well, as his
hands are tied, it is safe"
In the course of few moments the com
mandcr of the post started off to the woods
with his prisoner.
"The cunnle will Hcome back 10y himself"
said a soldier to a comrade, with significant
wink.
All the soldiers smiled MS they watched the
couple
'"Ihe cunnle wants to do little shooting
himself" they said. "Well, it is all right"
Colonel Melton escorted hisprisoner through
the woods for mile or so. At last he paused
"Clara," he said 'do you know where you
are now?"
Eyes," she answered, II could now make
my way back to the lines if left free"
The colonel cut the spy's bonds.
"Goodbye, Clara" he said.
"But YOU" asked the spy. Nv hat Will be-
come of you?"
''Be off at oDce" shouted the colonel, 81
must return, and you must not lose
moment"
The frightened woman sped away through
the forest
The commander Of the post quietly followed
her trail for an hour or two. When he was
satisfied that she had reached place OF safety
he retraced his steps
lie was almost in sight Of Cottonboro when
he drew pistol and placed it against his head.
The discovery Of Colonel Meton's dead body
excited the garrison Of Cottonboro TO a high
pitch Of wrath, but there was nothing to be
done.
"That id spyl" said one Of tho officers.
"He got loose in some way and murdered the
best soldier in Florida"
This was the general verdict. 1t was
thought that the spy had taken advantage Of
the colonel, and had asssssinated him.
Nov ala tine any over find out the true ex-