Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-12-15

bargain.
"Ahr thought to myself, the foul
fiend did tempt and the unfortunate
young man did yield. Too late will he
learn that the stains of dishonor are in
delible,'
thine passed by rapidly as it always
does in warfare. Perhaps it is the pres
ence Of death that makes it safieet The
brigadier was exchanged. Whether lie
satisfactorily explained his capture SO
soon after promotion, | never heard.
The following spring brought INC on
official business to the fortress, which
was the department headquarters. As
L concluded the matters required Of me,
the general commanding said: by the
way, we have had curious court
martial case here lately, concerning
which you must know something.
"'What is that, pray 2
ga young Southern officer has Just
been tried and condemned as a spy
His name is Ralph Macranc.'
'Macrdne! 4 spyn
Yes, he was captured leading his
men in Il desperate, a forlorn charge.
Ills marvel he was taken alive. He
seemed to court death. No wonder,
though; he must have appreciated the
consequences of arrest. lie had broken
his parole and returned to open war
fare; and you know that this rendered
him liable to be treated as o spy under
the Articles of War of every civilized
nation; and suppose the Confederacy
is as much civilized us it is nation
"'Ges, but
"'Oh, | know. You will claim that
there We're extraordinary and mitigat-
ing circumstances, that private matters
and not fanaticism were the cause OF
his dishonorable conduct. So ! thought
at first; but nothing of the sort We
were about sending for you when he
saved us from further trouble, and UNI
certainty, too, by openly ayowing that
he gave you his parole with the DELHI
crate design of breaking it, that he had
used his eyes to an advantage while ut
your camp, and had furnished valuable
information to our enemy. You had a
sharp engagement three days after his
escape, did you notY
"Yes, indeed. Almost surprisc.'
1t would have been complete sur
prise for any ofiicerexcept you, said the
department commander graciously.
We'll, lie admitted that the tidings he
brought were the cause of it,
impossible The villainl'
"'Ah, you see. After this what could
we do but condemn him. Our findings
have been approved, and he dies to-
morrow at daybrcak." -.
Here my friend the general paused
again and pulled as if his cigar was IL
true CONSIDER.
uT lnnit liEn ,,o,,r a rt;,Io, - ,,,,n " I
protested. "They are Procrustean
bed III which one is either hewed or
stretched. | can readily imagine how a
needless young man who broke his
parole but gave no comfort nor assis-
lance to the enemy might be condemned
unjustly."
Had such been the case Macrane un-
doubleday would have been reprieved,
but he pleaded guilty. And believe
even in your civil tribunal the Judge
dons the black cap when this occurs. No,
no; the Articles Of War are blameless;
they could notprovide against the agony
| of bruised heart. Despite my horror
at his conduct, from sudden impulse
asked the commander whether / might
see the condemned. He acauiesced at
once, and sent me TO him under direc-
ton Of his orderly.
II shall never forget the expression
of the young officers face as | entered.
He was standing by small grated
window gazing up into the western
skies all radiant with the glories of
sunset. That look, so ethereal, so ex.
allied, was so pitiable in the intensity of
its yearning that the tears Coursed down
| my cheeks as | spoke.
| 'Macrane, Macrane,' / cried. what
have you done? Why have YOU de-
stroyed yourself?' lie turned. He
grasped my hand. He smiled. And my
tears gushed forth anew
"'Agnes is dead he said.
"'You never played the spy. You
never betrayed my post, | protested.
"She is dead, he repeated. MY fair
one, and we were so happy together. l
sought death at the head Of my com
mand; and it fled from me. Yet even
through its escape shall find it again"
est shall not be-
"Good-bye, general. l reiterate my
treachery to you. And remember, too,
that tomorrow shall go to my death
as blithely as rode to my bride on the
fiery black stallion through the mazes
of the woodland. For there also she
awaits me-
ale turned, once more, TO the window
and in the ruddy glow of the sunset,
which always seems a pledge of return
ing day, saw him for the last time.
What could do2 had no proof. My
suspicious would be laughed to scorn.
After q sleepless night, an hour before
dawn | mounted my horse and rode
rapidly from the fortress. Yet, Just as
the east was repeating the glow Of the
west announcing its beneticent promise
fulfilled, heard the sharp crack of
musketry, and knew that Macrane
once more had been faithful to his tryst
"'Twas the fortune of war" quoth
my friend the general. For love is the
conflict in which the vanquished never