Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

182 “Vaughan you are mad; what will this cost you?” “ A fine—-an imprisonment; perhaps a court martial, but I have influ- ence——"’ “ T cannot do itt.” “It is only a chance—a desperate one, but you must take it. Think, your life is at stake!” “ Come with me!” “No, not that. A prisoner might escape through negligence of duty, but I could never turn my back on the men and the cause for which I have suffered so much.” “Forgive me,” the other whispered hoarsely. “Come, we have not a minute to lose.. Do not hesitate. Do not stop to question me, only do as I bid you. Think what it means: freedom, love, youth, life itselfi—Jean!” “She does not love me,” he said hopelessly. “Try and see! ” Then Vaughan crept around into the deeper shadow and a few minutes later the two men stood out in the open, face to face. Vaughan took his hand and he looked deep into the other’s eyes as friends would who expect a long part- ing. “Tell Jean,” he said, “if we do not meet very soon ’’—he paused, and when he spoke again the tremor in his voice had passed, leaving it quite strong——“ tell her the South was dear, but that I held the tie of kin still dearer —and now, Godspeed! ” There was a grasp of hands, a look from each to each that was at once a prayer and a reconciliation; then one man stole deep into the shadow, and the other returned to take up his march. Two men! One to make a desperate fight for life and liberty and love; the other to pause occasionally and glance toward the barred window of the little house and to smile as at a victory won. x * x * They stood face to face—alone— THE ARGOSY. these two men. The lieutenant—the commander. The judge and the self accused. The story had been told— told before the flight was discovered. His sword lay on the table near by and he waited for his sentence. There had been no shielding of himself; it was all set forth in as few words as possible, but the eyes that met those of the general so unflinchingly had a gleam of tri- umph in their quiet depths—triumph but no shame. “IT would speak to you as a friend, Vaughan, before this becomes known —before the disgrace and publicity of a court martial, for your mother’s sake, for you, whom I have known always and until now trusted all my life.” His late lieutenant flinched a little. “Was this man a friend of yours? ” “ A friend and a cousin.” “You knew each other well?” ‘“Intimately; before this war sepa- rated us.” “He was your friend and kin—is this your only reason in helping him to escape? ” “No; there was a woman—his cous- in—the girl he loved—it was for her ‘ | “His cousin—was she also yours?” Vaughan flushed. ** Yes,” he said. The general studied the toe of his boot. * Vaughan,” he said, “ forgive me, if I open an old wound, but I must sift this matter to the bottom. It is your only chance.” Vaughan drew himself up; the pride of all his Southern blood leaped through his veins. “ You are right. You shall know it all. But I do not want undue influence brought to bear in my favor, The act was mine. I knew what I was doing. I am ready to abide by the conse- quences. If it means a life for a life— his life against mine—it is best so. I am the fitter one to go, for he has her— it was to have been one of us—she cared for him—it was for her sake as well as his. That is all.” ECOMRRIC Oe CO