The Princeton union., 1899-11-09


I hoped she had gone. What was my
disappointment at finding her on the
veranda! '.E.
"You here?" >".n*.. ...<.
eyes; why note"
"Why, I thought perhaps, inasmuch
as your neck was in q halter, you might
take advantage of the scrimmage to- get
away" "..@ .'r~.: '|
"How could I? The gate was
blocked" .:@".-s,.,
"Not while we were following the
enemy" ~<
"The sergeant put sentinel there
as soon as you left"
Nonsense! Why do you try to de-
ceive me7 You did not wish to leave
or you would have found way : =,
An expression of pain passed over
her face which could not understand.
She sat down; placed myself beside
her. Below us in the yard men were
caring for the wounded, and when all
were removed, burial parties began
spading by the light of torches, inter
ring the dead where each had fallen.
We could hear the men talking and see
their dimly lighted figures, while every
now and again torch was held before
an ashen face, body was lifted into
it's grave, we could hear sound of fall
ing earth, then funeral volley. I
was continually thinking that the girl
beside me might within a day or two be
put into her own grave-not an honor
able one, but that of felon. Margaret
sat alternately looking at the grave
diggers and averting her face, fasci-
mated yet repelled by the grim sight.
"Strange condition, war" I said:
"Horrible!"\
She looked so wretched that could
not refrain from resting my hand for
moment on hers. She did not withdraw
it, though something told me that it
was no dawning love that led her to
leave it in mine, but a craving for SYM
pathy, for some friend on whom to lean.
I tried to speak to her encouragingly,
but there was something so grewsome
in the ashen faces of the dead, the
torches, the clods~falling on the uncof-
fined bodies, that I too was filled with
gloom and remained silent. 500 49, - -
An orderly rode UP to the gallery with
an order for me to report to the general.
Leaving my companion, went to him
at once, and found him pacing before
his tent, while Walter was engaged in
taking down the names of the prison
ers, who were being paroled to go to
their homes, for we had no force to
guard them, and they nearly all lived in
= Tennessee. AS came up the general
looked at me eagerly.
"You sent for me, general"
Eyes. Miss Beach-where is she?"
I'm the house."
pointment.
"Ten her to get ready for a Journey
he said.
"Shall I inform her where she is to
go?"
''To Gen. Burnside"
1T would be hardly safe" ventured
ito send her under a guard of less thar
a hundred men, and I supposed 20,
wished to keep the command together
Besides, her guard might be either dis
persed or captured. In that case th'
game would not be worth the candle"
,, He looked at me, surprised that
.. should dare to instruct him as to wha
:, course he should pursue. Then h
;. amazed me by asking: "What woult
:, you do with her?''
II would put her on her parole O
.. honor not to escape, and let her do a
she likes within the limits of the planta
tion." y
"A spy! parole!" ... 49,.
l. IF you will parole her, general, will
= be responsible for her with my head"
n "You would lose your head"
8 I am natural gambler; it is many
u year since have staked penny, but a
e that time I was considered the bes
IT, poker-player in the brigade.
II will wager" was beginning.
Il "No, no, lieutenant; I'm not in th
T. habit of gambling with my staff, and O
'e such a subject. Take her parole not t
4. escape or aid the confederate cause, an
Al I hold you responsible for it's keeping
lie If she breaks it, I will dismiss you fro1
q my staff, try you by court-martial fo
s. neglect of duty, and enforce the sever
n est penalty the court will infict.''
h "Done," cried. IT accept the terms
ID went straight to the house, and in
N few minutes was with Miss Beach.
he II have an important announceme1
d. to make to you. The general has deci,
ly ed magnanimously to take your paro
It. Ito put you on your word of honor 1
le do nothing that will aid the confederat
lg cause, or to escape"
IN I pronounced the words with som
st thing of a fourish-for was deliphte
It. as we'll as proud to have accomplishe
q the feat of gaining the generals asse,
OF to my plan-and waited for her repr
IN She stood for awhile looking down ;
e. the floor in deep meditation.
Sc 1T is not the generals magnanimi,
y that grants this parole; it is yours
d. That doesn't matter Even thoua
IT, may have suggested it, the general
ID still the one to act. In order thatye