The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-08-28
him earnestly in the eye.
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His eyes-fell and his breast heayed a
that of man who had been running
miles to save his life.
"Mr. Conway she said, ''if this mis-
sion is disagreeablo to you"
He stopped her by agesture. She helC
out her hand to him. He seized it, and
/ falling on one knee, kissed it rapturous
ly, and, springing to his feet, was thrilled
and transformed by the look upon hel
beautiful face. without word he held
out his arms. without n word, but with
a great sob of relief, she crept into them
and looking up into his face she saw
there the mighty desire that famed in
his clear, gray ewes. With gesture that
had all of a maiden's mOdesty in it and
all the hungry passion of an absorbing
love, she put her arms around his neck,
and as they pressed each others lips
they lived in q paradise which comes
only once to every man and woman in
this world, and that only for few fleet
ing seconds.
where's the sergeantp'
'Ain't seed him for over an hour"
"Grand roun' III errOund in er minute.
Wonder whar he ar, anyhow
"Reckin he hev deserted, too"
Sam Brown, ef ye say that ergin I'll
throw yer down an stomp ye.
well, now he mout," growled Brown.
This is his place, and | amt seed him
for an hour or more"
"Champ Conway IL turn up all right"
said another man at the picket post; but
Champ Conway did not turn up all right,
and when grand rounds" had twice
come and gone picket on the road lead
ing to Marshall suddenly halted Conway
as he was walking along in a lovers
dream and took him into camp. Ar
rived there, he at once sent for Captain
MacGregOr, to whom he entrusted note
to be given Miss Fairchild. OF the trip
to Marshall and of his own predicament
he said not word. He had no fears but
that he would be able to prove his innO-
cence, but even then the drum-head
court was sitting Sixteen men were to
die at dawn, Conway among the number.
And all save Conway had deserted in the
face of special order No. l. Conway lay
in the guard tent the happiest man
among 5000, while even then, the proof
against him being too overwhelming, the
death sentence was being signed by
veteran major, who blubbered as he
dashed down the pen.
81 know the lads father; we were in
the old army together, and can't be-
lieve it."
''Its true, nevertheless" sneercd
young cavalry lieutenant "for twas |
who brought him in"
Two hours afterwards the guard tent
was entered by MacGregOr. He went to
Conway and woke him quietly.
"Quick!' he whispered, ''you are CON
demned as deserter. There is no re-
prieve. No hope. Take my cloak and
sword and cap. Steal out; the counter
sign is Pea Ridge it has been changed.
Ride off on Selim, whom you will find
ready saddled near the big oak by the
spring. Hurry no words! l shan't get
hurt and all will be well in day or
two."
MacGregor lay in the guard tent re-
viewing his past life. He drew out his
and by the faint light of the
fire without he wrote few lines, re-
placed the note in his pocket book and
then prayed fervently but calmly, until
he heard the order given in the darkness
yet prevailing to "bring out the prison.
er." He heard the old familiar orders.
He recognized the voice of the officer of
the firing detail, Sitting one single
groan, he pulled the cap down over his
face, buttoned up his jacket and went
out with the other prisoners. Not a
soul suspected he was other than Champ
Conway-the deserter. Day was just
breaking, and the brids in the bonghs
overhead were beginning their morning
hymn as he passed Roses tent She
knew nothing of all this, and he was
grateful. Why not die now as well as a
few months later? Thank God! He had
made her and the man ho loved best
happy. Let death come when it would.
The men marched sullenly to their fate.
A trench had been dug. They were ar
ranged in line. Such things are best
over at once. Just as the musketry lit
up the dark wood MacGregor pitched
forward on his face, his hand throwing
pocket-book at the feet of the officer in
charge.
What more is there to tell2 He died
to save his friend, whom he knew to be
innocent. And Rose and Conway
When / was last in Galveston | never
saw such a happy, merry household as
theirs was. But one day in each year
they keep sacred, and of all their treas
ures faded photograph of an officer in
gray uniform and soiled note are most
previously priced by them. "Greater
love than this hath no man, that he die
to save his brother. ."-Atldntd COnstitu-
ton,