The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-03-21

wnlch nad poen parJlally all,,yeu ny HIS
decision, camo back to him with tho
summons. Ho dreaded an interview.
lie felt that tho resolution he had
formed was Of too littlo inherent
strength to warrant placing himself
under SO great u temptation. But his
memory took him back to the Jail in
whioh ho had boon confined on tho eye
Of his own intended execution at Chat
tanooga, and he thought how he would
bave regarded any one who would refuso
him such request at suoh time. He
got up and walked over to the house
whore tho prisoner was confined.
lie paused fow moments before OH
tering, in order to collect himself, then
wall1od slowly up tho stops The guard
stood at attention and brought his piece
to q present, but Maynard did not 500
him, did not return his salute. Ho OPEN
od tho door, entered the house and in O
fow minutes was i'll room in which
tho. prisoner was confined. Sho was
standing by q window. AS ho entered
she turned aud stood with her hands
hanging clasped before her, hor sorrow
full eyes fxod steadily upon him.
"Colonol Maynard" she said, IT
have sent for you to ask you to doliver
my last messages I onco met you in
the house of ono who is dear to you.
There I received shelter from tho storm
which ragged without, but which was
nothing to mo beside another evil that
threatened mo. was soro pressed and
in great danger Of capture. Tho women
in that house-an elderly lady, q young
girl who visited thero and your wife
took mo In at great risk to thom-
selves. Your wife certainly had muoh
at stake, for your honor might be in
volved. I have sont for you now to ask
you to say to them that I have treasured
their remembrance and their kindness
to me.
Sho waited q moment for him to &C.
oept the trust. Sho might hayo waited
TILL the crack Of doom without reply.
He had no power to utter word. He
simply bowed.
II desire also to intrust this keepsake
to you, to be sent to my brother -
Sho took lool1et from about her neck
and held 1t up before him. On it was
painted a miniature Of young man in
the uniform Of q Confederate officer.
Maynard looked ut it and started back,
with ory, as if pierced with q redhot
iron.
"He-he ISL
"My brother
ooh, Godl' He staggered to the
wall and leaned against it, shivering.
ou know him, colonel. There Is no
necessity for deceit now. T havo long
known tho singular circumstances that
surround you and him--that you both
loved tho same woman; that you won. "
"And that twice-twioe ho gave nc
my life?"
'"That he never told NO."
"Ah, he never told you that?' replied
Maynard, kind Of wonder in his tones.
"When at Mrs. Fain's plantation,
discovered under whose roof 1 was shell
tered. Your wife had neyor seen me,
and 1 determined that it would be best
for all that should not make myself
known. -
Maynard stood in amazement at these
developments, In horror at tho situa-
ton as he now know it to be.
And you are the sister Of Cameron
Fitz Hugh?''
II am. am Caroline Fitz Hugh"
"You shall not dio."
When Colonel Maynard spoke these
words, there was a grandeur in his tone,
his figure, the lines Of his countonance,
tho light in his oye, strangely inoonsist.
ent with resolution he had made the
moment before they were uttered. Ho
had on the instant reversed his decision
made not ton minutes before to do his
duty, In the ordinary acceptance Of
what that duty was. He had determined
to save tho woman before him, even If
1t were necessary to take upon himself
far greater ignominy than tho death to
which she was sentenced. Thore was ST.
lenoo between them, during which Miss
Fitz Hugh stood looking at him In ad-
miration, mingled with inquiry. She
knew that some secret charm was at
work within, but she did not know what
it waN.
Chow can my death be proventod?"
II am charged with your execution.
Twill take you to your lines myself this
night
What was that subtle influence far
stronger than battalions Of infantry or
batteries Of artillery, which gavo it to
ono not present. unconscious Of his pow
or, to hold Mark Maynard ovor proci-
pico and to cast him into black gulf
bolow? Was it circumstances that had
q year before led Fitz Hugh to accept
the very part Maynard was now called
upon. to play? Was it lovo that had
given Maynard tho bride Fitz Hugh was
to have possessed? Was it somo invisi-
bio fiond that had mado Maynard a rob.
Der of that bride from the man to whom
he twice owed his life and was now
bringing on his punishment? These
wcro indiroct causes, but they cannot
explain that inexprcssible, intangible
sonso of honor which will lead man.
to speak paradoxically, to commit q
crime and sacrifice himself ut tho samo
timo for another.
Tho expression OH Miss Fitz Hugh's
face as sho heard Maynard speak words
which would savo her from death and
give her liberty underwent change.
For moment aftor thoy were spoken
thero was % delighted look, but as sho
realized what they meant to tho man
who would savo hor it was transformed
into all expression which can only be