Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-19

ahead and peering through the darkne'
to discover what they Were looking fol
Presently the dark figure of horsema
emerged from clump of trees on th
opposite bank and rode forward towar
the creek. Ratigan saw him, and, belie'
ing him to be somo one in attendanc
upon Colonel Fitz Hugh, called:
"Oireland. "
ITO tho rescue, " called the man in
low voice. and rode up 10 the margi
Of the creek.
The two men arranged that Colone
Fitz Hugh aud Colonel Maynard shoul
advance to the respective places the
themselves occupied as soon rs they La
withdrawn. Then, wheeling. each rod
back TO his principal, and in few me
ments more the Union and Confederat
officers faced each other from oppoSit
banks Of the creek. The distance be
tween them at this point was but a fev
yards, and tho night was not so darI
but that they could plainly SEE each 9th
or. The equestrian figures stood silent
zach waiting for the other 20 speak
The only sound came from the gurglinI
of the stream which flowed betweel
them c,,o,o, r;,, unoh r,o
ieve. said Maynard.
lam. Irecognize Colonel Maynard
voice.
II heard yours last Oh certain even
ing q year ago-an evening memorable
TO both of Us. Then you gave me d.
life, and by doing so placed yourself il
q position to be shot for IA traitor {,
your cause.
"Not for your sake, colonel-for th
sake of another.
ut matters not for whose sake; tn
act remains. Once before you spared
me when y;i found me under roo
which covered'-
"Then | respected the laws Of hospi
tality, sacred in the south. Let Us no
dwell on these matters, colonel. Let u
proceed with that upon which we hav'
met for consultation. "
lyon are right Time presses. You
sister stands convicted Of the same Of
fense as mine at the time of which VI
have been speaking and sentenced L
die at sunrise. We meet to concert ;
method 10 save her. "
"At my request But any proposition
must come from you Colonel Maynard
l am unfamiliar with the feeling on th'
part Of those in power in the Fedora
army as to executing u sentence OF deati
upon q woman.
Circumstances which | cannot ex
plain, for they pertain to the situation
in which these two armies are placed
render the feeling against your sisteI
very severe. "
lyon have suggested my exerting in
fuence from our side;'
1T was your sister who suggested IL
! have little faith in il. -
"What did you propose
That which your sister would no
accept"
"And that was?"
Maynard whispered in q strange. gay
ago tone:
ITO use my authority as comm1ni
ing the brigade charged with A.r keep
ing 20 place her within your liEes.
And now:'
II listen for some sugs ton flDf
you" ..,
your permission, 10 enter protest oyei
the signature Of our commanding OIL
GERS Of highest rank.
1T would avail nothing. "
"Then there is nothing 70 save he'
from this sacrifice, which, though she
has always been prepared for It, anC
doubtless will now meet il, like the ~
markable woman she is, with becoming
fortitude, is still hard for those Of u
who love and respect her 10 bear. W.
will revere her memory as martyr.
During this dialogue each man sat oI
his horse without any movement anC
spoke in measured, formal, automatic
tones. Maynard's words We're quicke
than Fitz Hugh's, who held to the slow
er fashion Of speaking. common i'll th'
south. After the last sentence spoken b.
Fitz Hugh there was long silence
They had met for apurpose. Their meet
ing was a failure.
1t seemed to both that they could hea
their watches ticking away the second
that lay between Caroline Fitz Hugl
and death. Neither knew the agon.
suffered by the other unless he judge
that other by himself. Neither had tn
heart to terminate the interview, though
both knew that it was fruitless. n nigh
bird set up Il dismal cry. 1t seemed
deathknell.
Then Maynard broke the silence.
Colonel, " no said in a set voice, IRE
main here or meet me here at any tim
after an hour. Itmay be the small hour
Of the morning. 1t will be, if at all, be
fore sunrise.
"What do you propose to do!'
"What l propose TO do neither yo'
nor your sister shall know till 1t ha
been accomplished. "
II will remain here or near by, AM
at o'clock you will find me where
now am"
"Adieu," cried Maynard as he turn
ed his horses head and galloped away
"Adieu," replied Fitz Hugh III th
stately tone to which he was accustom
ed, and raised his hat aS politely as
he were saluting in ballroom.
Fitz Hugh rejoined his companioI
and rode away in the direction OF Rim
gold, and Maynard, followed by Rati
gan, started back toward their camp
Maynard's brain was in a fever. Tim
had been expended to 10 gain. Ih
small hours were coming on, and onl
six Of them would pass before the even
he so much dreaded would take place
He had formed his resolve. Whethe
wise or foolish. right or wrong, practi
cal or impossible, his resolution wa
taken. Once determined upon his cours
he spared his horse Oh without though
Of obstacle. Turning from the roug
ground on which he rode, he was abou
to take tho road, On which Lo might ge
on faster, when he was suddenly stan
tied by tho firing OF bullet and til
sound that came with it. The shot ran
close TO his ear, almost brushing hi
temrie