Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-19
What was tba. subtle influence, far

er, to hold Mark Maynard over precl-
pice and to cast him into a black gulf
below? Was it circumstances that had
year before led Fitz Hugh to accept
the very part Maynard was now called
upon to play? Was it love that had
given Maynard the bride Fitz Hugh was
to have possessed? Was it some invisi-
BILE fiend that had made Maynard rob-
Der of that bride from the man to whom
he twice owed his life aud was now
bringing on his punishment? These
were indirect causes, but they cannot
explain that inexpressible, intangible
sense Of honor which will lead man,
to speak paradoxically, to commit a
crime and sacrifice himself at tho same
time for another.
The expression OH Miss Fitz Hugh's
face as she heard Maynard speak words
which would save her from death and
give her liberty underwent change.
For moment after they were spoken
there was delighted look, but as she
realized what they meant to the man
who would save her IL was transformed
into an expression which can only be
described rs bordering on the confines
Of angel land. There was holy look
in her eyes, q radiance Of purity from
the soul expressed in every feature.
There was the superhuman attribute OF
choosing death before life and liberty
at the price of wrong.
mo, colonel, we Fitz Hughs cannot
accept sacrifice, and especially wrong,
from others We give; we are not ao.
customed to receive.
Maynard stood gazing at her with n
look as il in refusing the sacrifice she
| had stabbed him.
What then." he said at last, "can ]
dor
"Send tho news Of my condition. OF
my eApected'-she shuddered at pro-
nouncing the execution TO our
lines Knowing that am condemned,
they can bring what influence they may
DO able 10 save me.
at will avail nothing"
"Try it, Fate, luck, Providence works
strangely Mt times Let us push on and
leave the rest to a higher power. &"
The colonel looked at his watch. 1T
Ia now half past 8. We are but few
miles from the Confederate lines. Your
brother is
'In IS cavalry division and ON
tho Confederate right l heard from
him only few days ago. He was then
at Ringold. "
'That is not far from here. +"
There may be time" she said hope.
fully.
"Some one must steal through the
lines. II not shot, he may accomplish
something. In half al hour shall be-
"You?"
"Yes, Il | will not trust this only
thread on which your life hangs to any
one else though l confess. hc added
gloomily, II have no confidence in it. "
''No, colonel, cannot accept this
from you. You are the commander here
and are all that stands between me and
death. You must remain here and send
q messenger.
"Who would | dare intrust with such
a message:"
''Send for the man who captured me,
Corporal Ratigan. Let him bear the
message.
Her
The colonel looked at her n moment,
as if to question why this man should
be SO trusted, but her eyes were lower
ed He knew there was secret which
il did not become him to pry into.
IL will send him, il he can be found
at once II not, Twill so myself. And if
the mission fails
The words were not finished. for he
well knew how precious timo was, and
turning from the room and the house
strobe rapidly toward his tent
He had gone but dozen PAGES before
he heard some one call.
Colonel
He did not hear. The call was re
peated.
"Colonel"
A man approached him. whom in the
darkness he did not recognize
"Is there no hope, colonel:" the man
asked in choked voice
"Who are your"
"The man who captured her. point
ing to the house. "Oi'll never draw sa
Der again.
Corporal Ratigang"
1.-The same. ="
''This is fortunate. Come with me. "
The two started together 20 a thicket
wherein they would neither be observed
nor heard
"Oi'm hangin round. We see colonel.
Dim away from camp without leave. Oi
hope they'll shoot me for deserter.
Colonel Maynard did not speak till
they reached the thicket. Then, turn
ing and facing Ratigan, he said ear
nestly:
"You would like to save her. would
you not;"
"God knows would. !"
"'Then go to the picket line and get
through unobserved if possible. Go to
Ringold and find Confederate officer
Cameron Fitz Hugh, if he is there.
Tell him that his sister is condemned TO
be shot at sunrise tomorrow morning.
Say that Colonel Mark Maynard sends
him this information, that he may use
whatever influence he possesses-take
any measures he may consider honor
able-to save her. Tell him., the colo
mel lowered his voice, that | offered
p attempt to do so, taking ruin upon
myself, but she would not accept the
,acrifice. Go; there is no time to lose
When the sun rises, it will be too late. "
"Oh. colonel" cried the man in
agony, there is so little timeP'
Go! It is not yet 10 O'Clock. We
hare six hours.
The corporal was moving away when
the colonel stopped him.
"You will need the countersign.
Ratigan returned, and the colonel
whispered it in his ear. "Carnifas
Ferry"
CHAPTER XVII
RATIGAN's MISSION.
The extreme left of the Army OF the
Cumberland, from which Corporal Rat
igan started to 60 through the lines,
was held only by cavalry and mounted
infantry, and these widely separated.
There was no regular picket line such