The Heart's Secret; Or, the Fortunes of a Soldier: a Story of Love and the Low Latitudes.

him. The birds carolled gaily in the little grove that is formed about the fountain which fronts the governor-general's palace and the main barracks of the army, while

d to induce. They knew only too well of the tragedy that was that day to enacted; such occasions-the spilling of the tide of life, in cold blood-suited not their chivalrous notions at any time,

o be shot to-day," r

o a comrade whom he ha

d rather i

anion, observing General Hare

nued the officer, "that I would like to see shot in co

gave the troubl

e say there's a

t heard

he challenged

es

dy, in some way; I heard o

file do the

Alonzo, that you and I ar

est of the line, in all some thousand rank and file. This company "stood at ease," and the men hung their heads, as if ashamed of the business they were about to perform. In the rest of the line the men exchanged a few words with each other, now and then, quietly, bu

to the rear of the barracks, while the rest of the company were sent to the prison to do guard duty in escorting the prisoner to the ground. It seemed to them as though this additional insult might have been spared to the p

ffering up a sincere prayer, and listening to the words of the priest who had been sent to prepare him for the last hour, he declared calmly that he was

ier to see him again. It is strange how much his purity and gentleness of character have caused me to love him. Ne

son door, and the young soldier knew full well for what purpose they came. In a few moments after, h

unpleasant business upon which I have been at this time sent, nor add," continued

almly, "say nothing of the matter, but give

zo," said his brother officer, who had long been

ll have our allotted time, and mine has come.

o woman, comrade. You have fought in the same field, and slept in the same tent with me oftentimes, and you know that I h

indifference; "look upon it as a simple duty; you

the life of

ould not complain, of all others, since it gives

was the only answer he

jest," he continued, quickly, as he again gr

s there aught I can do f

thi

e you would like to trust

, with directions how I should like to have them

easure to follow your wishes

you, Fe

that

ll

must at o

act the executioners, those of the first file, to f

omrade, turning suddenl

y and sincerely forgive them for the part they

ll-I

prepared now to follow you," he added, with

achment of men whom he had so often commanded amid the carnage of battle

fore. All eyes were low bent upon him, from the humblest to the highest, for he was well known, and his fate had created much remark among all. He was marched quietly to the rear of

d help you, C

neral Harero's command was drawn up to witness the scene. It is difficult to conceive, and much more so to describe, such an impressive sight as presented itself at this moment to the spectator. There was so much mockery

his hands bound behind him, while he exchanged a few pleasant words with those who were about him. At a signal from the provost marshal, one of the officers essayed to bind a handkerchief

hem stood the file of thirteen men who were to be his executioners. They had just been supplied with their muskets by an officer, and were told that one was without ball, that each one might hope his was not the hand to slay his

you love our former co

uld receive from the men. Two or three successive orde

, and dashing the dark hair from his high and manly forehead, he calmly folded his arms upon his breast, and awaited the fire that was to end his existence. The fearfu

ondemned. In spite of the effort not to do so, the officer paused between the order to aim, and that to fire. The word appeared to stick in

apple gray horse, at the right of the line, and whose insignia bespoke him to be the commanding officer, General Harero. He sat upon his horse like a statue, with a calm

the victim stood, and now it sweeps swiftly off over the water. But what means that singular murm

ed. He had so braced himself to the effort, that nothing human could have unnerved him. Hastily directing an aid-de-camp to the spot with some new order, General Harero issued another to his officers for the lines to be k

suite, and riding directly up to General Harero, he handed him a paper. It was done before the whole line of m

long the whole length of the line, until at last it

f this very thing, the general of the division had taken upon himself to set the time of execution one hour earlier than had been announced to Tacon-a piece of villany that had nearl

ould even detect a hiss now and then from the crowd, as he passed; and one or two, bolder than the rest, cast epithets at him in vile language, but he paused not to listen.

; but that had been countermanded now, since the governor had reprieved the prisoner; for the general saw that he stood in a false position, in having changed t

ch other, fearing an immediate outbreak and disregard of discipline. It was a time to try the troops, if one had ever occurred. They would have stood firm and have received an ene

symptoms, already referred to, should ripen into something more serious still, orders were issued to keep the division still under arms. In the meantime, Captain Lorenzo Bezan, still as calm as though nought had occurred, was marched bac

you, Capt

e portion of the guard room where the officer on duty had loaded the guns for his execution, and from here they had been taken and passed into the hands o

away seaward, the shout of the astonished division rang upon his senses. He felt that all eyes were upon him, and adamant itself could not have remained firmer than did he. Few men would have possessed sufficient self-control to bear themselves thus; but he was a soldier, and had often dared the bullet of the enemy. He was familiar with the whistling of bullets, and other sounds that carry on their wings the swift-bo

strictly is the care of such matters attended to under all like circumstances; but one thing he felt