Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-01-30
DAILY SHORT STORY
Number IS.
IOriginaLJ

your Yankee general over there point
inS) calls illegitimate warfare are to be
shot this evening at sunset. In retalia
ton am ordered to shoot three of your
number. You will begin to count from
right 10 left, andtevery fifth man will
step four PAGES totthe 'front.'
a shudder passed along the line. All
understood that those men who were
TO step to the fronttmust die.
Begin, you man,on the right there"
said the officer.
A young girl emerged from a door
leading from the commandments quar-
tiers and came toward the soldiers. She
wore an apron andIa cap, denoting that
she was a nurse. She had made both
herself. for in those days there were no
uniformed nurses. Lucia Clarke was a
northern girl who had gone south to
find her brother. Allen Clarke, who was
an invalid prisoner Of war. Having
gained permission to nurse him, she
had devoted herself TO the sick in the
hospital attached to the prison, includ-
ing Confederates, for in this case the
blue and the gray were mingled, till she
had won the admiration of all and the
love of the Confederate commandant.
She had just heard of the order and
knew what was going on.
"One." Two" Three" -Four" No.
3 said nothing, but tottered forward.
Six" "Seven," Eight" "Nine." No.
10 stepped forward with as steady a
tread as if ordered to meet human en-
envy.
Eleven" Twelve" Thirteen"
Fourteen
While the men had been counting
Lucia Clarke had glanced ahead and
seen that her brother Allen would be
the fifteenth man. He had only been
discharged from the hospital the day
before and now, infirm and with one in
Eve chances of death before him, could
scarcely stand.
Fifteen"
feminine voice rang out firm and
clear. Lucia, who had wedged herself
in between No. II and her brother,
stepped four PAGES to the front. Al
len, seeing what his sister had done,
moved forward to contest the place
with her. but, overcome by his inirmi-
ties, fell ON the ground behind her.
Lucia stood rigid while two Confeder-
ate attendants carried him away.
AS Major Clarence Fitz-Hugh, the
commandant, looked at the girl stand
ing there in the rank of death his eye
was wet with sympathy.
Miss Clarke he said gently. but
firmly, 'all must appreciate the sacri-
flee you would make. but it cannot be
permitted '"s''
Then L will die with my brother if
1 cannot die for him."
What can you dog"
Il will stand before him when he is
shot. and the same bullet will end this
fearful struggle for us both"
Sergeant" said the officer march
the prisoners back. Separate those
who are to be shot from the rest
You OH the dead line" said the ser
geant, right face"'
The five men and the woman turned
to the right.
Miss Clarke" said the major. you
can't go TO the mems prison
81 WILL she said firmly. II take my
brothers place. Where he would go 1
co.
A vexed look crossed Major Fitz-
Hughs face.
Sergeant" he said. ''send Miss
Clarke to my office under the care of a
corporal and two men," With this he
turned and went into the building. y
few minutes later Lucia Clarke was es-
corted into his presence. He directed
the men who brought her there to with
draw. Then lie said to her:
"If 1 promise you that when your
brother is led out to die you shall be
notified and permitted to go out with
him, will you go to your room and re-
main there till you are calledT
Yes"
every well; you have my word"
Lucia left the office and, going TO her
room, threw herself on her couch and
| buried her face in a pillow. Gradual
ly her sufferings gave place to sort of
stupor. How long she was there she
did not know. She was reused by a
knock at the door, and Major Fitz-
Hugh's orderly told her to come. She
started up with a moan, but gradually
mustered strength to go with a firm
step to the prison yard with her guide.
There, standing in line, were the three
men who had been drawn by lot for
execution, among them her brother.
She was about to spring toward him
when Major FitZ-Hugh called to her TO
wait. Then. drawing a paper from
his pocket, he began to read:
Special Order No. -:
I'm recognition of the services of Miss
Lucia Clarke in hospital and her kindness
| to many sick and wounded Confederates
the lives OF those Union prisoners drawn
for execution in retaliation are spared.
Sergeant" added the officer, "march
the prisoners back"
When the sergeant and the three
men entered the prison and the door
closed behind them, the major turned
to the girl. who stood mute beside him
"Eucia Clarke" he said, sit was the
happiest moment of my life when Sc
cured that order from the general com
manding.'
How can show you my gratitude?'