Evening journal., 1903-01-23
.Nunber IS
IoriginaLl

within the walls inclosing prison yard. |
A Confederate officer approached and.
standing some twenty PAGES from them,
thus addressed them:
"Three Confederates taken in what !
your Yankee general over there point
ing) calls illegitimate warfare are to be
shot this evening at sunset. In retalia-
tion am ordered to shoot three of your
number. You will begin to count from
right to left, and every fifth man will
step four PAGES to the front"
A shudder passed along the line. All
understood that those men who were
TO step to the front must die.
"Begin, you man on the right there"
said the officer.
A young girl emerged from a door
leading from the commandants quar-
ters and came toward the soldiers. She
wore an apron and a cap, denoting that
she was a nurse She had made both
herself, for in those days there were no
uniformed nurses. Lucia ClarlA 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 came forward with quick step.
She had just heard of the order and
knew what was going on.
"One," "Two," "rhree," -Four" No.
3 said nothing, but tottered forward.
"Six," Seven" Eight" "Nine." No.
10 stepped forward with as steady
tread as if ordered to meet human en-
emy.
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, infrm and with one in
fiFe chances Of death before him, could
scarcely stand.
Fifteen"
A feminine voice rang out firm and
clear. Lucia, who had wedged herself
in between No. IA 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 infrmi-
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, out
firmly, "all must appreciate the sacri-
fee you would make, but 1t cannot be
permitted"
"Then l viii die with my brother II
1 cannot die for him."
"What can you doY
Il will stand before him wher, he II
shot, and the same bullet win this
fearful struggle for US both"
Sergeant" said the officer marci
the prisoners back. Separate thos'
who are to be shot from the rest"
1Ou On lht flNdA AlAAef odAa NhC oNA
geant, right facew
The five men and the woman turnet
to the right.
1 "Nliss Clarke" said the major, "yoI
can't go to the mems prison"
''I WILL" she said firmly. II take m.
= brothers place. Where he would go
b. 60"
e A vexed look crossed Major Fitz
4 Hugh's face.
Sergeant" he said, "send Mis-
( Clarke to my Office under the care of
" corporal and two men," With this h
turned and went into the building.
few minutes later Lucia Clarke was es
. corted into his presence. He directe
themen who brought her there to Will
draw. Then he said to her:
IF l promise you that when you
brother is led out 10 die you shall b
notified and permitted to so out wit
s. him, will you go to your room and II
: main there till you are calledr
= Eyes"
every well; you have my word"
Lucia left the office and. going to hC
:. room, threw herself on her couch an
4 buried her face in a pillow. Gradua
r ly her sufferings gave place to sort
n stupor. How long she was there ST
] did not know. She was reused by
T. knock at the door. and Major Fit
/; Hughs orderly told her to come. 81
r, started up with a moan, but gradual
&c mustered strength to go With a fir
or step to the prison yard with her guild
lg There, standing In line. were the thr'
n men who had been drawn by lot f
4 execution, among them her brothe
She was about to spring toward hi
when Major Fitz-Hugh called to her
wait. Then, drawing a paper fro
\ his pocket. he began to read:
,s Especial order No. -:
In recognition OF the services OF MI
y, Lucia Clarke In hospital and her kindne
III to many sick and wounded Confederate
ln the lives OF those Union prisoners draN
lis for execution IN retaliation are spared.
to Sergeant" added the officer, "mar
su the prisoners back"
When the sergeant and the thr
NO., o,torod tho r,ricon and the do