Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 190: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

UNTO THE FOURTH GENERATION. blue coats of the Federalists were to me like a red flag to the eyes of a bull—- I cannot forget his wistful, haunting face or how good he was to—-Nancy. ‘ Lovingly, “ DOROTHY.” “P.S. Is Austin Feild still on your uncle’s staff ? “Dp.” 7 x k * The night was a dark one. The moon was obscured by clouds and no stars were visible. Up and down, up and down, paced the sentinel in his mo- notonous walk. His tread was the only sound that broke the stillness of the night. To the right rose the low range of Virginia hills, standing out prominent from the lesser blackness of the sky beyond. To the left lay the sleeping camp, and silence and darkness hov- ered around all. Once or twice the steady walk of the sentinel faltered as 1f he was weary or preoccupied. The smoldering embers of the dying fire fell on his face as he passed, and found it strangely drawn and white. His soft gray hat, drawn well over his eyes, could not altogether conceal the passion that burned there- in; the passion and the pain. “I cannot do it,” he muttered to himself once or twice. “I cannot. She would not expect it. whether she still cares? If she ever cared? And then of late I imagined ’— he paused and shook himself impatient- ly. “ Bah! what a fool I am to have such thoughts! You must be hungry, old man—rations are running low and no mistake. Poor old,South, you have made a desperate fight but I am afraid your race is almost run.” The South! The Cause! Ah! how he had suffered and endured for them! Ah! She loved them, too! What would the life of one Yankee be to her, against the life of one of their own men? What, indeed—unless he was her lover! Was he? That was the point. The How do I know - 181 sentinel reversed arms and turned to begin anew his march. As he did so he glanced towards a low, dark build- ing that stood near. In it was a man— a Union soldier—a dangerous one, too, and noted for his daring; captured that day on his way. to join Sheridan's army. The sentinel glanced up at the night .Sky. Dark—not a star; no help to be found there! He looked at his watch. The dawn would soon be breaking; he would be relieved and then it would be too late. There must be no delay in the decision. He gripped his musket until his hand held the impress of it; then he resumed his march, but he did not pass the little barred window of the low building this time—he paused and tapped gently. The prisoner came to the grating. * What’s wanted?” he asked. His tone was wide awake; it showed he had not slept. “ Hush, speak softly!” “Who is it?” “Tt is “I, Vaughan.” ‘“ My God; what brings you here? ”’ ‘The memory of the old times—our friendship—Jean.”” He glanced over his shoulder cautiously. ‘“‘ Listen,” he said, speaking hurriedly, “ our men will show you no mercy—you are a dAnger- ous person to be at large. You were caught spying today. Tomorrow you are sentenced to be shot.” The man’s hold tightened on the iron bars at the window, but he gave no out- ward sign. Vaughan looked at him. “The same old spirit,” he said, “ it would be a pity to extinguish that! You must get out of this. In the left hand corner of the room, near the sur- ? Vaughan—Richard base, the wall is rotting away ; you from - the inside with your knife; I on the out- side—ten minutes silent work and presto! you are a free man. [I will turn my back. You will creep around in the shadow of the woods to the outside picket; there will be a horse waiting for you—my own. That’s all. Do you un- derstand?” CONIC OOKS. EO