The sun., 1888-02-12
COL xEIroN,s PRISONER.
Why he Spared spy's Life at the Cest 81
Havi.s to Take bis Own.


Havins 70 Take bis Own
yro- tAe Atlanta oensiau,son
1t was very dull at Cottonboro during the
summer Of "a.
The village was situated on q small river in
Florida leading to the gulf. and 1t was supposed
TO be place OF some strategic Importance.
For four years small force Of Federals had
been endeavoring at odd times to capture Cot
tonboro. and a small force Of Confedsrates had
succeeded in keeping them back
hotydly sun was blazing down on Cotton
boro, and the streets were deserted. Here and
there in some shady nook might have been seen &c
Col. Melton was pacing the sidewalk at his
post. but 'fs he had little 10 do. There was al no
hehtipR in prospect. and 1t was not necessary
The Te.a eom@ander nm a surveyed ] the iS situation.
He felt the deadening Influence OF the sultry
aeat sad is moth
y Just then he saw a cloud of dust in the dis
."i Viii wait" hs remarked. there may be
minutes VI sa9srymen rode IL wt
sssRhai We hang him or try him ?" asked the
Col. Melton was about to give an r-hand
reply: when bis eyes fell upon the face Of the
and benring the marks Of travel and exposure.
- Leave him to ,me," snid he Colonel quickly,
When the prisoner was alone with the COM
mnnder Of the post the latter said:
Isnfrasd ;sa, yensr disguise at
The prisoner gave a captious nod. such as
only woman could give
look upon your hated face again"
But you are in trouble" answered the com:
soal hep cr"a the
You deserted me after, had been q faithful
wife for years, and you left me to face the world
I5hb Int9 the business % W With full knowsdse Of tie
consequences eso You 1 may tell your men to take
NY II ca cannot @ do that" replied the commander.
NOR can allow yom to be tried, II you are
jeetsd to such indienities."',
you care for her when YOU ran away from her p
The Colonel shivered; and then he looked
straight into the ss said and have
dead 5 d. bnt = LIDO. DO not I proposs to have hand in
TIE womsn's eyes iell. but in moment she
ns 81 &.
post; mot hair OF your head will be harmed"
He spoke with an air Of authority. and the
John" she said softly.
When I left you. it was for good and ali. /
must get you out 2. of this sssrape. but you must
never & cross @ my path again"
wsi It to sad EEe e eoone he asked
Then he called in a couple Of soldiers and
. Leave his feet unbound, said the Colonel;
~ ..i,a am going to make the fellow take walk
How is that, Colonel?" inquired Capt
:. 4 secret Of state" whispered tho Colonel:
g 4 sSs $:ssa his as his
IN the course Of a few moments tho COM
mnnder man % Of the post started of to the woods
The dunnie will com. back by himself"
Al the soldiers smiled as they watched them
ds1s said ans de Is fii III sishs shhes'nF
,vod. Col Melton eseortsd his prisoner through the
do q so ne
way back to the lines II left free"
Good. oIiDge[ Clara S%s .@S Se spsisa psia bonds
,oIs but It, YOU p asked the spy What will be-
Be on at once !" shouted the Colonel. II
must return, and you must not lose moment"
IT The 3.g frightened woman sped away through
~ The e e9mmander IN Of tho post quietly followed
her tsail f1r @ an ~ hour our or two. When he was
=
he retraced his steps.
He was almost In sight OF Cottonboro whom
he drew pistol and PLACED it against his head.
cited the garrison OF Cottonboro to . high pitch
Of wrath. but there was nothing to be done.
That id spy!" said one OF the officers.
He got loose IN some way and murdered tho
best soldier in Florida"
This was the general verdict. 1t was thought
onel and had assassinated him.
Nor did the Spy ever find out the true expla-
nation. or a n INIT pf har
husband, but never the secret OF bis death.
Perhaps the commander Of the post did not
care to live In the same worlu with his wife
Perhaps he preferred death rather than to re-
turn to Cottonboro without his prisoner.
, No one ever knew. But a gray haired woman
at a time In her little cottage with folded arms
thinking Of mysterious chapter in her past
only knew. she whispers every day to
But she never will know. and the world will
never know.