The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-12-26
II suppose it's allowed" said Mason


let. / don't li..e this sharpshooting, any
way. There's too much sncaking busi-
ness about H.
Tho glen In which they stood was shad-
ed by tho forests and thickcts, and only |
littlo light Uttered tn. ough tho branches:
The sounds of the combat elsewhere had
died. tho fighting evidently hnishSd.
They could not hear Tho noises OF the
camp-only the sounGs Of tho Christmas
song.
"You led mo a long chase around that
thicke.," said Mason. laughing little
""I,hrce or four times l thought had
you before worked that cap trick OH
you"
"And three or four times I thought
had you." replied the man.
Maybe so," replied Mason, who was
too polite to dispute his assertion. Yet
he was sure that 1t was his skill and not
his luck which had achieved the victory.
He noticed now that tho man still re-
mained on his knees In the snow. lie
seemed to be dreading blow.
"Get up" said Mason. "Of course
when was talking about sharpshootcrs
I didn't mean to practice what was
preaching. I'm going to take you
prisoner to camp, and l dare say they'll,
treat you we'll Come on
The man did not rise. lie crouchcd
down to put his hand upon his shoulder
and jerk him to his frrt, but he started
| back before his fingers, touched the knecl-
ing figure.
"Why, you are in our uniform!' he
cried. "What does il mean-a spy"
Tho man shivercd.
Don't take ME to your camp" he
cried. "Beforc God I swear that I'm
no spy. I'm just skirmisher. l put
II, t,,.r hp
easier for me to get away if was pur-
| sur;l by your troops. l swear that it's
true! just meant to trick you"
Mason did not believe him. lie thought
| the tale most ilimsy, and ut the moment
| he felt little sympathy for the man. War
| had hardened him. and, like most sol
| dicrs, he had no pity for spies. lie ac-
| cepted the decree that oil such should be
| hanged or shot when caught, and ho con"
! sidcrcd his prisoner Il criminal whom he
must take to justice. He looked ut the
dim figure Of the kneelng man, and then
he said:
What you say may be 80, but they'll
| hang you rs sure as my name Is Ian
| Mason"
The man sprang to his feet and ran.
| But Mason levelcd his rifle, calling to
| him to stop or he would fire, and he
added by way OF prccaution that he could
not miss so good n target. The man sank
| down again in the snow, uttering
dcspairing cry, and Mason stood over
| him once more, still holding his rifle for
use if needed. They were out OF tho
shadows now, and the moonlight fell
upon the face of tho captive. Mason saw
his features for the first time. and when
he looked he uttered no threat, no excia-
nation, but stood perfectly still for
| hS fu tnrn{nY 1nndIy male.
Then he lifted his rifle again.
"Oh, Dan! Dan, don't kill me" cried
the man, falling Mt his feet in terror
and grasping the snow In his hands.
Mason's body was rigid. Only the fin
gers Of his right hand moved, and they
played rcstlcssly with the trigger of his
rifle. lie looked straight ut the abject
figure kncling bcfor him. He thrilled
with powerful emotions, and triumph
was strongest among them. His enemy
was delivered into his hands God was
good and intended to see that he secured
his Just revenge. How could he doubt
It wheo nc looked Mt th" f"oN h"f''rH
"Why shouldn't kill you, Tom Mark
ham|' be asked. "Would you spare ME
II it was the other wayT'
"Of course would! You know
would. Dan" replied Markham.
you lie!" said Mason. 'If you had a
chance. you would shoot me like a dog.
You have been q liar and sneak all
your life. Who should know better than
! do2'
Mason's figure was still rigidly erect
only the finger that strnycd so rcstlcssly
over the trigger or his rifle moving. His
face remained pale but was as hard as
stone, and the eyes. showing no mercy,
sought those Of Markham, which wavcr-
ed and turned away in fear.
"Eou have been n liar and a sneak all
your life" he repeated.
"Its true. Dan; it's true--all that you
say about me is truc!" Kroancd the man.
IL know I'm scoundrcl, and lied about
you, and l made her think that yon were
all that said you were"
"You made me lose her with your lies"
said Mason.
Yes, it's so, Dan," cried Markham.
but this war will be over some day, and
then YOU can so home. and you'll have
another chance"
II don't know about that" said Mason
grmly. IL may be dead when the war
Is over But at any rate you'll never
go back to tell any more lies about me-"
| ut would be murder, Dan! You know
1t would be to kill me now, when I'm un
armcd!" cried Markham.
"Whnt right has hound like you to
talk Of mur,lcr!' said Mason. I'D be
making the world better to put you ont OF
1t. Besides, I'd only be Kidding the Of
fccrs OF dirty job. You're n spy, Tom
Markham, and, according to the laws OF
| war, you're to be put to death. send
a bullet through your head, and the thing
Is done neat and quick"
He stepped back little and cooked his
rifle. The man threw up his hands again
| nnd begged for mercy. Standing farther
| away now, Mason could scarcely sec his
! face. The moon was hidden now by
drifting cloud and the shadows had
come over tho glen. There was no sound
In the woods about them. His comrades
had returned to camp, having finished
their part OF tho task. He looked up nt
the hill where the army lay. 1t was
| bright with many lights. and now and