Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-12

Brard's staff. he commanded them tn
row Jim across the river. They started
to obdy. As they left the shore suddenly
boat swung around Moccasin point
It wax full of armed men. He was TAX
EN- batk to Chattanooga, tried and con.
denim bd to be hanged for spy.
All this passed before his minds eye
rs he stood pretending to study the com.
munibation before him, not this bare
statement Of it, but each detail. each
feeling of hope. fear, despair, as they
rapidly succeeded each other from the
moment of his capture till his escape
and shfe return to the Union lines.
Looking up at last with al expression
| Of administration which surprised the
prisoAer, he said:
Madam. will you please accept my
heartfelt sympathies?"
MiFs Baggs. who had already recog-
nized Colonel Maynard, simply bowed
her head in acknowledgment without
speaking. but fixing her large dark eyes
upon his When placed in similar
position, Maynard had met his enemy's
| slande with affected coolness in vain
hope bf deception. Not so the woman
beforb him. The time for deception had
passd u with her. She was Charlotte
Cordiy, knowing that the guillotine
awaited her, martyr in whose eyes
glcarbed the divine light Of willing
| sacrifice 10 n cause she believed to be
sacreh.
TH colonel spoke again:
Madam" ho said. lit is my duty
10 REPORT your case to my commanding
officeE for transmission 10 the headquar-
tors N this army. There is n little house
acrosk the road If you are able to go
therd you will be more comfortable
whilt we are awaiting the reply"
As You like, colonel.
'lIerhaps it would be better to use
the 4nbulanee. "
III can walk. would prefer il. F."
will you accept my assistance"
Slll took his offered arm, and the two
walled slowly toward farmhouse
few hundred yards distant. As the colo
mel J|assed sentry no directed him to
havJ the officer OF the guard summoned
and lent to him. On reaching the house
and mounting the few steps that led up
10 the door. they were received by a
farule ler's wife aud usherod into smal!
sitting room. Bowing TO the prisoner,
Colobcl Maynard stepped outside to in
strudt the guard. IL was not essential
thatlhe should hasten, but he did not
feel bqual to an interview.
Alter seeing sentinel posted on each
side bf the house Maynard turned TO 20
to hi tent. He was drawn by some un'
accountable instinct TO look once moro
at Tie abode Of his prisoner. She was
gazing on, at him with pair Of eyes
melJncholy, unresisting, full Of reSigna-
tionl
What fiend had suddenly thrown this
beautiful woman, this queen of mar
tyrsl into his keeping. with death star
ing her in the face. and he perhaps to
inhiIt the penalty? Why, if he must
suiIJr this turning Of the tables by fate,
coulL not the victim have been man,
soml coarse creature who would die
likeb brute. And why had il not come
upoA him before love had introduced
him TO that instructive delicacy, that
penileness, those finer heart impulses OF
woman?
ID God" he murmured, suppose
SUPPOSE she were-Laura?'
In, could not bear TO look and could
not turn away. For a few moments the
twoIgazcd upon each other, while the
woitan's natural feminine discernment
told her that she was pitied; told her
SOM jthing Of what Maynard suffered;
thad her enemy was really her friend.
Sheigavo him u faint smile in recogni-
tioI
There was something in the smile
thad was even harder for him to endure
thu had she shed tear. Hers Wal 2
whining smile, and her position was 50
desberate. She was so brave, so ready
TO sbcritice for her struggling people.
Shd bore her trial with such gentleness.
yetlwith such tirmneSs.
She was q woman, and she must die.
he turned almost fiercely and strobe
back to his tent. Reaching it, he found
the man who had brought the prisoner
waiting for him. The soldier saluted
and handed him another envelope.
a.Why did you not give IN this with
theIother?" asked Maynard, surprised.
handed it to you, colonel, but you
did not see Ii.
Maynard stared at tho man without
ma king any reply. Ho had been preoc-
cuIIied, deprived Of his ordinary facul.
tied Opening the envelope, he took
oud small bundle Of papers, on the
badk Of which was indorsed, Inter
ceHked dispatches found on the person
of Elizabeth Baggs. captured Sept.
-, 1868"
Without looking at their contents he
is|nissed the man who had brought
thdm, and turning went into his tent
Il was noon before the courier sent to
nfounce the capture Of Miss Baggs
rotr up to Colonel Maynard's headquar'