The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-06-20
CHICkAMAUGA.
Stirring Story of Adventure Such
as All Lovers of Fiction
Like.
A War Story Written by an Author
thoroughly Fimilar With
War Scenes.


War Scenes.
righted by American Press Association. All
rights reservedD
As soon as Maynard's tent was pitch
ed he went inside and shut himself up
from every one. The matter Of the life
in his keeping, his desire to save his
prisoner, the impossibility Of his doing
so except by betraying his trust and con-
niving at her escape, were weighing ter
ribly upon him. A desperate struggle
between his duty as an officer and his
repulsion at carrying out sentence
upon woman which had once been
passed upon himself was driving him
we'll nigh distracted. One thing was
certain-he could not save Miss Baggs
without sacrificing himself. He was
ready to sacrifice himself if he could do
so honorably. He might even consider
the matter Of doing that which he had
no right to do, but since the devil may
care days of his scouting new world
had opened to him, which made the
struggle more complicated than it would
then have been. He had wife whom
he loved devotedly, and any obloquy he
might take upon himself must be shared
by her and his son. He knew that if he
could conceive it to be his duty, or if
he could make up his mind without the
approval Of his conscience to connive
at the prisoners escape, he would have
q fair chance of success. He was charg-
ed with the execution, and this would
give him power over her person. On
the other hand, such violation of trust
was too horrible even for consideration,
and if he did not so regard it the pen
atty he must suffer-disgrace, if not
death-would we'll nigh kill his wife.
For long while he revolved these con-
siderations in his mind and at last came
to decision. He would suffer the tor
ture Of carrying out the sentence. He
would do his duty to his country, his
wife and his son.
He had scarcely arrived at this deci-
sion when q message came! from the
prisoner asking to see him.
The raoking of his whole nature,
which had been partially allayed by his
decision, came back to him with tho
summons. He dreaded an interview.
He felt that the resolution he had
formed was Of too little inherent
strength to warrant placing himself
under SO great q temptation. But his
memory took him back to the Jail in
which he had been confined ON the eve
Of his own intended execution at Chat
tanooga, and he thought how he would
have regarded any one who would refuse
him such q request at such time. He
got up and walked over to the house
where the prisoner was confined.
He paused few moments before en-
tering, in order to collect himself, then
walked slowly up the steps. The guard
stood at attention and brought his piece
to q "present, but Maynard did not see
him, did not return his salute. He open
ed the door, entered the house and in
few minutes was in room in which
the prisoner was confined. She was
standing by a window. As he entered
she turned and stood with her hands
hanging clasped before her, her sorrow-
full eyes fixed steadily upon him.
Colonel Maynard" she said, II
have sent for you to ask you to deliver
my last messages. once met you in
the house of one who is dear to you.
There received shelter from the storm
which ragged without, but which was
nothing to me beside another evil that
threatened me. was sore pressed and
in great danger Of capture. The women
in that house-an elderly lady, young
girl who visited there and your wife
took me in at great risk to them
selves. Your wife certainly had much
at stake, for your honor might be in
volved. have sent for you now to ask
you to say to them that have treasured
their remembrance and their kindness
to me-
She waited moment for him to ac-
cept the trust. She might have waited
till the crack of doom without reply.
He had no power to utter word. He
simply bowed.
Il desire also to intrust this keepsake
to you, to be sent to my brother
She took a locket from about her neck
and held it up before him. On it was
painted a miniature Of young man in
the uniform of a Confederate officer.
Maynard looked at it and started back,
with cry, Is if pierced with q redhot
iron.
'sHe-he isl
my brother"
"Oh, God" He staggered to the
wall and leaned against it, shivering.