The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-03-23
eorYRlen1 1872, Assn. ~


c'Capta1n, said Mark, ''may I beg q
cigar? l usually smoke at this time of
night"
''Here are cigars. gentleman" said
Taliaferro, producing box.
''H you smoke, captain added Mark,
II shall be pleased with your company
with pleasure"
All lighted cigars. and Mark and
Fitz Hugh strolled out on the veranda.
Captain said Mark as soon as they
were outside, Il have never met man
whom / have so admired, so honored, as
you, and yet have robbed you Of your
love. This last act of kindness to her
and to me, SO well indicating your mag
nanimity, is more than I can bear I
cannot accept anything more, even for
her sake. I cannot stay here to be
shielded by you and behind her skirts.
am about to leave this veranda and fly
| to the Union lines. Thank God, have
met one who is the soul Of honor, in
whose charge leave my wife. Consider
her under your care. She will doubtless
need all you can give her, for never
expect to see her again. shall doubt
less be captured before tomorrow noon.
If you were not my enemy, if you had
not been my rival, would love you as
a brother"
Without waiting for a reply Mark left
the veranda, and in another moment
was lost in the darkness.
| Captain Fitz Hugh stood as one petri-
fed. So many conflicting emotions were
within him that nothing seemed real.
For time he was in sort of stupor.
When he emerged from it the first thing
that took definite shape in his mind was
deliberation as to what he should do.
Should he go in and confess all to the
major? Should he keep the secret
Lauras secret? He leaned against a
pillar Of the veranda and passed his hand
over his brow.
He could not stab Laura; he could not
even betray the man who had left her in
his care. He did nothing.
Half an hour had elapsed when Talia-
ferro, who had been busying himself
with some papers, began to wonder what
had become Of the two men. He got up
and went out on the veranda
"Where's Green:' he asked quickly.
"Gone."
"GOne?"
Eyes, gone half an hour ago"
"What does this mean, Cameron"
1T means that have been keeping
from you what can keep no longer or
would. This man Green is Federal
spy"
Taliaferro threw up his hands in hor-
ror.
"And You have been protecting himy'
eyes"
"Cameron-my friend-great God
! are you traitor? There is something
back-tell me, quick"
ssTwice before he has crossed nv path,
He was taken and tried at Chattanooga.
I was detailed to defend him. l had
never seen him before. He was found
guilty and sentenced to be hanged, but
escaped.
when met him again it was at the
Fains' house. Laura Fain, the woman
up stairs, then my betrothed, but now
his wife, was concealing him.
"Well?''
Il saw that she was infatuated with
him. She claimed him for her guest.
p
"Well, go on
Il could not honorably inform on
him.
''Oh, Cameron-what absurdity-
what idiocy-what"-
''This afternoon you sent for me.
came. saw the man l had seen twice
befOre-with my-with the loveliest, the
noblest Of all women-his wife,"
The major only stared at his friend
he had no words to express his feelings
his sympathy.
''When we came out here he told m
that he would accept nothing furthe
for Himself at my hands: that he woul,
not shield himself behind a woman
skirts. He walked away before me-"
''And your
Il permitted him."
Taliaferro shuddered. He knew tina
his friend by his act had placed himsel
in terrible position.
you are liable to be shot for this?'
Il do"
Il always told you" the major wen
on anxiously, impatiently, ''that you
notions of honor were absurd, quixotic.
'sThe highest sense of honor is neve
quixotic. 1t is best fitted for Christian
soldier and a gentleman
''And DO you expect me to let thi
spy go?'
mo. Protect yourself-the cause
Send after him: 1t is who have con
nived at his escape, not you. You mus
not suffer-"
THE cause alone is enough"
Orderly" he called to a man stand
ing by the gate.
| Fifth pare