The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-04-04
him. Then he trotted slowly to the ridgo
and over it, making his way back to
hiu tSnf


1t was now broad daylight. As he
dismounted he aotioed detachment OF
cavalry marching on foot, under the di.
reotion of al officer, toward the house
whore Miss Fitz Hugh had boon con.
fined. On arriving there they halted,
and tho officer went inside. In q few
minutes no came out and strodo over to
Colonel Maynard's tont. The colonel
had gono in. He had thrown Off his
cavalry jacket and was waiting for what
was to follow. The officer entered the
tent and not recognizing Maynard,
shorn Of his board, asked for the colonel
commanding
II am Colonel Maynard"
'Ahl did not recognize you, colo
nel. have just called for the spy in the
house whero J. expected to find her and
was told by the sergeant that he had do
l1vered her soon after midnight to two
mon bearing all ordor from you"
"Woll?"
II suspect something must bo wrong.
Was tho order q forgery?"
"No"
"Then the prisoner is in your keep.
ing?"
"No.n
"Esoaped?'
eyes"
Tho officer was too astonished to ask
any more questions at onco.
"Who is responsible?'' he asked pres
emily.
'I am
"You?''
eyes, I. You will march your mon
back to camp. You need not make any
official report Of tho matter unless you
choose. Twill report tho escape myself. +"
The officor bowed, and with the same
astonishment on his face that had been
there throughout turned from the tent,
and going to the mon standing in tho
road marched them baol, to camp.
Colonel Maynard came out Of his tent,
and mounting his horse rode to tho
headquarters Of his division command
or. He rode slowly, his head bowed al
most to his saddlebow Refining up be-
fore tho generals tent, he sent in his
namo by an orderly, and was soon ad.
mitted.
General" " he said, II have come to
prefer charges -
Indeed, said the general. "Why
not forward them in writing in the reg
ular way?"
1T is because Of the person against
whom 1 an, going to prefer them.''
"And that is?''
"Myself."
The general looked at him with o
puzzled expression
Colonel, are you ill?''
mo, general"
II suppose it would be ridiculous to
ask Il man if he is all right here?, and
ne tapped his forehead with his finger.
II am sound Of mind and body"
"Well, we'll, colonel, what does 1t
all moan? It's too early in the morning
for joking" and the general yawned.
Il have to report that the spy left in
my charge has escaped and through my
connivanoe.'
Good Lordl" exclaimed the general
That 1s serious matter -
Maynard remained silent.
And the eXplanation?"
"There Is none."
The general looked into the melan-
oholy eye Of Colonel Maynard and felt
a cold chill creep over him. He knew
there was some reason for the act which
would explain If not excuse 1t.
Colonel, you are q dashing fellow,
with tinge Of romance in your nature
trust you have not yielded to Oh alb
surd notion as to taking tho life Of
woman.''
"No. I have not''
"Then give me somo explanation. I
fear 1t will go hard with you, but will
do all l oan for you if you can give
satisfactory reason.
Il have no reason to givo."
, "Of course / must report the matter.
Better speak now. 1t may bo too late
hereafter ~
Il have reported tho fact. That is all
the report havo to make''
'"Then, colonel, it is my duty to Or
dor you to your tent under arrest. You
may loaye your sword here with mo, if
you please An order will be issued
placing Colonel -, next in rank, in
charge of your brigade"
Colonel Maynard unlocked his sword
from his belt and handed 1t to the gen.
eral. Then ho rode back to his tent, and
as he entered it he felt that he had left
AA" AoAAioi bull outsAdoj CIittGt aS III inc
oase of fallen oomrade, he would nev-
or 500 this being Of tho past again. AS
for his present self, that, if suffered to
live. could only live life in death.
A court martial was convened to try
Colonel Maynard with as much dispatch
as had attended the trial Of tho escaped
woman. The charge was "giving aid
and comfort to tho enemy" tho spocifi-
cation "himsolf aiding in tho escape Of
! spy in tho service Of said onemy'
The court met OH tho afternoon of tho
lay on which Maynard had reported his
act. Mon OF his own grade, or near it,
sat about pino table in o wall tont and
proceeded with tho formalities attend.
ing tho case. AS Maynard pleaded gull
" to both charge and specification thero
was littlo to do except to como to yer.
aict Before doing 80 tho president ask
ID tho accused if no had anything to
say i'll his behalf, any explanation to
make.
"No. y was his roply.
"Coloncl Maynard, said the presi-
don't, 'you havo served this army with
distinction. You havo boon respected,
trusted, beloved as fow other mon in it.
You have confessed to having commit.