The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-04-04

corporal, SAID the colonel, "let mo
explain what am about to do. I know
something of the blood that flows in
the veins Of Caroline Fitz Hugh She
will never accept her life at tho price T
intend to pay Tor it. She must not know
that intend to save her by violating a
trust by mourning my own downfall,
or she will not leave her Jail. Do you
understand"
Il do, colonel. She would ohide me
II she knew was doing the same''
while you have been away have
placed three horses in the wood yonder. "
II see, oolonel.''
Corporal Ratigan, every man has
\ his own part in life to perform. The
distinctive foaturo in mine seoms to be
to decide quickly between conflicting
duties. 1 am going to violate trust, to
perform q sacred obligation. If you will
aid me, follow mo-"
Taking upa slip Of paper lying ON
his camp cot, on which he had written
an order, tho two left the tont. They
were challenged by the sontry on post
but giving tho countersign proceeded
I'LL they were again challenged hy the
guard ut the temporary prison. There
the colonel advanced and gave the coun-
tersign and passed into tho house.
The sergeant In charge met them and
asked what they wanted The colonel
handed him the papor he had brought
with him. 1t was an order for the por-
son OF tho prisoner. The place was only
Lighted by candle, and the colonel took
care to stand with )ns back to it, But
this was not necessary, for his disguise
was complete. Corporal Ratigan re.
mained without the door, on the porch
Tho sergeant looked from the paper to
the man who stood before him inouir.
ingly.
."fhis is very strange" he said.
Maynard made no reply.
"Here is Colonel Maynards order, "
the sergeant added, reading it over
again. "Do you know what he wants
with her?''
do you suppose T don't know any
better than to ask questions when r get
an order?" replied the spurious private
gruffly.
The sergeant went into tho room
Where Miss Fitz Hugh was confined and
.lor out, pale and wondering.
ut isn't SUNRISE" she said in voice
which 1t was difficult for her to keen
from breaking
Come said the colonel. She fol-
lowed him to tho porch, and Corporal
Rat1Ran Joined them, but it was too
dark for the prisoner to soc who he was,
and he did not dare to mako himself
known. AS soon as they had got to q
safe distance he whispered:
"Darlin"
"Rats"
"Not word till we got further
away"
They walked on at an ordinary pace,
though all desired to hasten. After pass
Ing some distance from the house May
nard turned and glanced back. He saw
tho sergeant Watching.
"Wo must go to tho tent" he NUT
tered, and the three walked OH. Before
entering he looked again. Tho sergeant
was still Watching. He evidently wish
ed to make sure that all was right. All
entered the tent, while the colonel,
standing at the front and pcoring be-
tween tho tent flaps, watched for tho
sergeant to go back into the house. Pres
emily he did 80 and left the way clear.
"Now come on"
Leaving the tent, they walked short
distance down tho road. Not word
was spoken. Presently they turned aside
and entered the wood. There they found
the horses.
Mount" said ethe colonel to tho
prisoner.
Putting foot in his hand, she sprang
up Oh to horses back. There was m
eidesaddle for her, but the high front of
o mcclellan" served worry we'll, and
she was 30 good horsewoman that she
o6dld have ridden sideways OH tho ami
mails bare back. Tho stirrup was fitted,
the colonel and Ratigan mounted, and
the throo rode rapidly away.
"Wo must dodge tho picket" said the
colonel. EVEN tho countersign might
not avail us with a woman in tho
party"
"What docs it all moan, Rats?' ask
cd Miss Fitz Hugh. II thought you
were going to do your duty at all haz
ards.''
"Well, there's. difforont kinds Of du
tics, and sometimes they won't work
together. If savin q woman's lifo isn't
duty, then me mother didn't bring mo
up right"
"Who's tho other?" sho asked whilo
Maynard was riding little in advance.
"ono who this night makes mo his
alavo'
And I from this night will bo in
debted for my life to both Of you if you
succeed in saving it, But can't bear
to have you sacrifice yourselves for mo.
You may be committing an unpardon-
able sin toward your comrades. but T
cannot believe you arc committing n sin
toward onr Father. And ono day il will
DO oil ended. Rats, and thon who will
oare2''
'Oi know those who will rejoice
Ratigan now took tho lead, having
passed over the route before several
times and being familiar with the host
way to got between tho vedettes. Colo
mol Maynard dropped back beside tho
prisoner.
who arc your" she asked.
Ono who serves you"
Tho voioo sounded familiar but was
disguised, and she did not reoognize Il
as Colonel Maynard's.
Were you sent by Colonel May.
"No."