The Red Cloud chief., 1895-03-08

themselves occupied rs sooii as they had
withdrawn. Then, wheeling, each rode
back to his principal, and In a few mo.
mcnts more the Union and Confederate
ofiooIs faced each other from opposite
banks Of the creek. The distance be.
tween them ut this point was but q few
yards. and the night was not 80 dark
but that they could plainly see each 9th.
er. The equestrian figures stood silent,
each waiting for the other to speak.
The only sound came from the gurgling
Of the stream which flowed between
them.
"You arc Colonel Fitz Hugh. I be.
lieve." said Maynard.
lam. ! recognize Colonel Maynard's
voice"
II heard yours last on a certain even.
ing a year apo--an evening memorable
to both Of us. Then you gave me my
lif,, and by dcing SO placed yourself in
u position to DO shot for q traitor to
your cause"
mot for your sake, colonel-for the
sake Of another"
ut matters not for whose sake; the
act remains. Once before you spared
me when you found me under a roof
which covered
"Then ] respected the laws Of hospi.
tally, sacred In the south. Let us not
dwell OH these matters, colonel. Let us
proceed with that upon which we have
met for consultation"
you are right. Time presses. Your
sister stands convicted Of the same Of.
tense as mine ut the time Of which we
have been speaking and sentenced to
die at sunrise. W. meet TO concert a
method to save her"
TAT my request. But any proposition
must come from you, Colonel Maynard.
] an unfamiliar with the feeling OH the
part Of those in power in tho Federal
army as to executing q sentence Of death
upon q woman"
circumstances which I cannot ex.
plain, for they pertain to tho situation
In which these two armies arc placed.
render the feeling against your sister
very severe"
You have suggested my exerting in.
6uenco from our side?"
1T was your sister who suggested II.
! have little faith In it,"
"What did you proposeF
THAT which your sister would not
accept"
"And that was?"
Maynard whispered in a strange. say.
age tone:
ITO use my authority ~ command.
ing tho brigade charged with her keep.
ing to place her within your lines"
"And now|"
II listen for some suggestion from
you"
II can think Of none except, with
your permission. to enter q protest over
the signature Of our commanding OH.
GERS Of highest rank"
1T would avail nothing"
Then there Is nothing to save her
from this sacrifice. which, though she
has always been prepared for 1t, aud
doubtless will now meet 1t. like the re.
markable woman she is, with becoming
fortitude, is still hard for those Of us
who love and respect her to bear. We
will revere her memory as u martyr"
During this dialogue each man sat OH
his horse without any movement and
spoko in measured, formal, automatic
tones. Maynard's words were quicker
than Fita Hugh's, who held to tho slow,
or fashion Of speaking. common in the
south. After the last sentence spoken by
Fitz Hugh there was q long silence.
They had met for a purpose. Their meet.
ing was a failure.
1t seemed to both that they could hear
their watches ticking away the seconds
that lay between Caroline Fitz Hugh
and death. Neither knew the agony
suffered by tho other unless he judged
that other by himself. Neither had the
heart to terminate the interview, though
both knew that il was fruitless. A night
bird set up a dismal cry. 1t seemed Q
deathknell.
Then Maynard broke tho silence.
Colonel, ~ he said in q set voice, IRE
main here or meet me here at any time
after an hour. 1t may be the small hour,
OF the morning. 1t will be, II at all, be
fore SUNRISE"
What do you propose to do?'
what ! propose to do neither yoI
nor your sister shall know till it ma,
been accomplished"
II will remain here OF near by, ant
at l O'Clock you will find me where
now am"
"Adieu," cried Maynard as he turn
cd his horses head and galloped away
"Adieu," replied Fitz Hugh in tn
stately tone to which he was accustom
cd, and raised his hat a. politely as |
he were saluting in q ballroom.
Fitz Hugh rejoinsd his companio
and rode away in the direction Of Rir
gold, and Maynard. followed by Rat
gan, started back toward their camI
Maynsrd's brain was in q fever. Tin
had been expended to no gain. I'll
small hours were coming on, and on
six Of them would pass before the evel
he so much dreaded would take plao'
He had formed his resolve. Wheth,
wise or foolish. right or wrong, pract
cal or impossible. his resolution W;
taken. Once determined upon his cour