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


sight. The company was gathered to-
gether, mostly of women, and aged ones,
too. Every head was bowed.
Opposite to me stood gray-haired
clergyman, his trembling hands spread
in benediction over the heads Of young
couple kneeling before hin--a Confed-
crate officer in full rig and as fair girl
as | have ever seen. The prayer ended.
The happy PAIR arose and embraced.
Friends tlocked around them in con-
graduation. | stepped forward with
revolver in hand, and as / did so q sol
dier advanced through each window
and stood rs motionless as statue Of
fate.
"tYou must surrender 7 / cried as l
covered Macrane.
"There was an agonizing scream. The
sweet-faced bride sunk senseless in her
husbands arms, restraining him through
her clinging from any rash resistance.
All, it was pitable, but what could
do, and what could he do?
Despite the wailing, the entreaty, the
awful malediction, led him away. He
never spoke. | heard his voice for the
first time just now, when he gave his
parole. And, general, I've been sorry
ever since. Though Pm proud Of our
success, ! wish that this raid had never
occurred
"'rut, tut, man, demonstrated, you
are hipped and tagged out, and no Won
der. Get good nights rest and you'll
be far less morbid. Warfare ut best is an
| unspeakable horror, but we must keep
| our eyes fixed on the glorious goal of
peace, and not heed the spectres that
throng the pathway
"The captain saluted and withdrew to
his post, but | could see that he was de-
| iected and distressed. A brave heart is
evera tender one. One we rode. One way
led us past a crossroad which sprang
| from a wood. There was a slight eleva-
ton to its left, and this presented a start
ling spectacle to us. A young woman,
clad in white, with long veil floating
in disorder about her, and with orange
blossoms still c..IEing to her dark
tresses, all dlsheveled, was watching our
approach intently, with hand shading
her eyes.
by her side, supporting her and
seemingly dissnading her stay, was an
| aged man, whose venerable locks strayed
from his shoulders like another veil. As
our captive brigadier general and staff
pranced by they exchanged anxious
glances, and CALAMITY DOTTED their caps
| BY no look or gesture did the young
woman heed their courtesy. But when
Macrane appeared by the side of Cap
tain Brown, with bowed head and mel
ancholy bearing, then a clear, thrilling
note penetrated the air:
"'Ralph Ralph! Oh, my husband =
"QuiclS struck the spurs, and away to
her side dashed TIE young officer. | saw
him bend tcnderly over her. saw
her face light with hope, with rapture.
Their lips met and fingered, and then
Macrane joined US TRANSPORTED, for his
cheeks were glowing, and his eyes were
a-sparkle. His bride, yielding to the
urgency of her companion and upheld
by him, disappeared within the wind
ings of the wood"
My friend, the general, paused and
pulled thoughtfully on his cigar.
II suppose you anticipate the sequel
and wonder why didn't suspect" he
observed.
Naturally"
swell, ! am looking back, and the
light now is very clear. The lamp of the
future has its forward slide closed, you
know, and even what we see we do not
comprehend. Besides, Macrane had
given his parole, and its sanctity was a
shield from shameful conjecture.
thought he had whispered some cheer OF
q speedy exchange, which would have
been realized, too, had | but had a
chance for intercession. But to continue
When we reached our camp the paroles
were reduced to writing by the adiutant
and sighed by the respective prisoners
and after this formality was concluded
we considered them our guests.
"The different members of the staff
were allotted to different ones of my
officers for entertainment, Macrane con.
tinuing with Captain Brown, while
made the brigadier my especial charge
And well they all Jared, you may be
sure, l know their leader did, for oftel
an elaborate dinner, of which my col.
ored boy never thereafter ceased t.
boast, as he toasted Better days in {
glass of champagne, he grayely re
marked that ii was the first time he had
dined since the outbreak of the war.
"He meant it, too, poor fellow; ever
the most distinguished southern officers
were forced to content themselves witt
Spartan fare, and scanty at that
fact which should mitigate our indigna
ton over the privations which our cap
tured soldiers endured.
at was early the next morning tina
Capt. Brown came to my quarters pal,
and anxious.
"'General,' he said, Lieut.. Macrant
is missing. He has escaped
"Escaped! Impossible! WHY, hi
gave his parole
be no doubt about it. The black stallion
is also gone
"The famous black stallion which
had ordered picketed apart, and OF
which had hoped to witch the worlc
with my noble Workmanship How
veXatious. For moment my vanity
made me obIivious of what ha6 really
happened; but for moment only.
"'When did you miss NIacrane?'
asked sharply.
"'Last evening, sir
"'Then why didn't you report his alb
sence at once to me z
81 didn't have the heart, sir. L,
"Stop, Capt. Brown. Notanother word
CT shall be compelled to demand you
sword, sir. understand; that is, woulC
understand were | not bound to ignoI
my suspicious on account of your gallant
conduct yesterday. Take file Of men
surround that old mansion, and dc
your utmost to recapture the fugitive
Be as vigilant as You have been remiss.
"General, you may depend ON me-
"IIe fastened away. soon heard III,
trump OF mon announcing his dnnnrtnre