Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-08-18
A STROKE OF aEN111s


Margaret went at once to her mother.
l sat on the gallery, dreading the mo-
ment when the general would rise and
L be obliged to report my arrival, with
all it involved for Margaret. / occu-
pied myself in rehearsing what would
say that l might convey her breach of
parole SO artfully covered by her great
service to me that the general would
be impressed in her favor. By the time
he had risen had my story well laid
out, and hoped against hope. l waited
till saw him leave his tent and go to
the mess-tent for breakfast, then r
joined him.
"Halloo!" he said, surprised; ~
thought you were taken"
$50 was. I escaped"
"Good!" He was very much pleased,
and grasped me warmly by the hand.
How did you manage it?"
well, you see, general, until pris-
oner is confined in regular quarters, he
is not very well guarded"
"You are right there; quite number
OF our men have come in" He sat
Last night was kept in bivouac with
other prisoners. The camp on one side
was protected by wagons instead of a
sentry. I rolled over to one of the
wagons, hid myself under it, and then
made off in the darkness on the other
side"
Where was the guardall the while?"
Chatting"
with whom" The general was but
tering piece of corn bread.
ga woman"
"a woman?" He smiled. "The
incest bits of deviltry in this war are
accomplished by women"
This was not according to my re-
hearsal at all. "How did you get the
command away, general?" l asked,
changing the subject in order to gain
time to think.
Il didn't; they got themselves away
by hard fighting. We managed to get
together-those of us who were left
and retreated here"
Why didn't the enemy follow?"
"They will, as soon as they have
formed junction with others of their
forces. My vedettes are on the lookout
for them. But this woman who was
chatting with the sentry?"
|. She kept him talking Willis rolled
under the wagon; then cut"
Who was she?"
II cut through the woods, jumped
fence, and"
THE woman2"
What the devil does it matter, who
she was, generate" blurted, losing my
self-control. He should have put me
under arrest for an insubordinate an
sWer. He did no such thing; he seemed
to enjoy my discontinue.
HIN! Cherchez la femme. I shall
be delighted to hear of one woman in.
the south favoring the union cause, OF
even young union soldier who carries
his heart on his sleeve.'
His mocking tone had been making
me angry ever since the conversation
began. His last remark made me hot.
THE woman in this case" cried,
rebelliously, sis one of the nohlest OF
Gods creatures"
And this noble creatures name is"
Margaret Beach,"
The general started and turned pale.
Where did you meet her?" he asked,
quickly.
in house occupied by the com
handing officer of the rebels"
He stroye hard to conceal his feel
ings. 1t was impossible. His head
dropped on his chest and q SILVER shot
through his body. Then suddenly re
covering himself, his expression
changed from that of stricken man
to that of one nerved for any duty.
General" said, in husky voice 81
am ready to resign my position on your
staff and submit to court-rnartial."
MY boy" he said, kindly, and knew
that on this occasion he used the ex.
preston affectionatefy, ''your resigna-
ton would not be accepted, and you
will not be tried. Your action in this
matter is perfectly satisfactory to me. /"
There was a pause, to break which
! asked: Have you any orders. gen.
eral?"
Eyes. Bring the prisoner TO me.'' She
was no longer Margaret Beach; she was
"the prisoner"
Going to the house, told Margaret
that the general waatea TO seeyaeg. Well