Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-28

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Great heavens. Margaret not thsrsI
circumstances will. To gein a knowl- |
edge of the route over which you would |
pass, with view TO seeing if it would |
be practicable TO bring the men to
Charleston. If we have the luck to
catch the enemy's advance trains north
and his rear trains south of the Hiwas-
see, we may make dash and burn
the bridge, cutting his force in two.
But have been disappointed in my
hold on your guide. You have kept the
secret of the object of your expedition,
of course?'
1 hung my head without reply. The
general turned from me with an impa-
tient contemptuous exclamation
sPlunkl" 1 called
A bundle of blankets on the ground
near by began to stir, and from them
emerged the Corporal looked for
surprise when he saw the general, but
he depressed any expression of it, and,
| rising, came towards us.
| where's Miss Beach"
Don't know. It's been your watch,
lieutenant"
''Mellodewi"
Our hostler came from the improvised
stable.
where's Miss Beach?'
''She took her horse before daylight
and rode away"
"Shut off that grim" commanded the
general.
| Mellodew's features receded slowly,
as usual, to an ordinary condition.
Lieutenant said the general to me,
az told you you were not fitted for this
work, but I did not suppose you
| were"
The words were cut short by the
tread of horses hoofs on dead leaves,
and in another moment Margaret, her
cheeks flushed with exercise, rode into
the camp
why, generall" she exclaimed, turn
ing pale.
The general stood looking at her
coldly without speaking.
"1-we-did not expect" she fall
tered.
Evidently not"
got dilO rue ~ TIC nOd0C
of some friends of mine--a union fam
lily"
Probably with some such purpose
as that with which you visited the con-
federates on recent occasion"
For several purposes. First, to ar
range for aretuge in case of necessity"
And to tell the news?"
. The color came and went, but she
proceeded:
, ITO borrow some articles of clothing,
for the weather is colder than when ]
) left home, and to beg a little fresh meat
for breakfast" She held up n dressed
. chicken.
The general repressed an expression
: of impatient incredulity.
General exclaimed Margaret
= driven to desperation by his manner
Il made compact with you to guide
, your men here. knew you did not
trust me. but did not suppose you
would follow me here"
: Il follow you here?'' the general re
torted, slight color tinging his cheek
, II am a soldier, doing a soldiers duty
The success or defeat of an army de
" ponds on my watchfulness, and will
never sleep till my work is accom-
plished."
"And am worn out with your perse
= cution," cried Margaret, despairingly
: EITHER leave me to do the work
agreed to do, or take me home and xii
i me-"
There was a shot in the valley be
!. low, and more in quick succession. TIL
+. general sprang for his horse, which wa
MI, f1,a T.
dew united the hitching strap from
tree, holding the rein while the genera
mounted.
General" called, where do yo
go?"
ITO join my escort below"
g 'Where them"
y; ITO the plantation, as fast as m
n horse win carry me-"
"Can You get through"
81 must get through"
He was about TO spur away, whe
a. Mellodew called to him and said som,
IS thing to him which we could not hea
He looked back at Margaret and n
with a peculiar expression, then, hea
x ing more firing below, rode away.
Margaret" said, that tallow-face
Mellodew will be our ruin He has sai
~ something to poison the gener
against u.s.
Turning towards the valley, we sa
- three different bodies of confeslera
cavalry approaching the point whe
up we had heard the firing. We watch'
u and listened, but, beyond an occasion
single shot, heard nothing more. al
the foliage was too thick for us to S
what was going on. Half an hour afte
wards, casting my eyes to the opposi
VI | hill ! saw tho cren ax-0I and a few Of h