Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-06
"Ho,v do Won know that p"

service OF ten years III the CHiteu
States army"
.'Indeed?"
What is your commander doing in
this rcgion?"
That is for you to find out"
Without changing his expression, eX-
cept a wiclleder CLEAN of his eyes, he
drew a revolver, and, pointing it at me,
said, placidly:
"Perhaps your breakfast this morn
ing was lot sufficiently peppered.'
l was familiar with this mode of
extracting information, as / had seen
the general use it often; nevertheless,
those littls serpent eyes appalled, me,
but succeeded in mastering my fear,
and said, initiating his own cool tone:
THANK you, l would like the break
fast first and the pepper afterwards. If
an invitation to a morning repast were
sent me, it must have gone astray."
lie regarded me curiousB. You are
good pluck, anyway" He lowered his
revolver, and evidently made up his
mind TO try another plan. "I'll order
something for you to eat presently.
Perhaps you won't mind telling me the
name of the general you serve?"
Certainly. Gen. Alan Heath"
"1'he DEVIL"
quite different person, assure
you"
singular" he said, musingly, what
meetings this war brings about.
Young man, your general and l were
classmates at West Point"
"lndeed"
And served at the same posts"
What luck!" l said to myself. "1'll
be treated splendidly; perhaps ex-
changed at once"
Gen Heath makes his headquarters
| at Morgantown's CROSSROADS, be-
lieve"
l made no reply.
'At the Beach plantation?"
was surprised at the accuracy of
his information.
Making love to Margaret Beach?" .
1nwardly l started; outwardly
treating her as an enemy" I said,
colby.
II have occasion to remember Alan
Health" he went on, with one of his
wicked looks. Would you mind TAX
ing message to him? That is, if you
ever see him again, which won't be
very soon"
81 WILL with pleasure"
TELL him that have carefully pre-
served the letter he wrote the mayor of
- in March, 81, accepting his offer to
turn over the United States troops at
the post under his command for a con-
sideration."
What did this mean? had had much
10 stagger my faith-in the general, and
. now 1t began to look as if where there
was so much smoke there must be some
fire. However, maintained my pres
ence of mind before his accuser.
THAT would mean dishonor. Gen.
Heath is the soul of honor"
He smiled knowingly. would you
like to see the letter."
NO"
81 wish you to see it; wish, if you
ever see Gen. Heath again, that you
may be able to convince him that Cadet
Berante, Lieut.. Berante, of the til
> United States artillery, Maj. Berante,
OF the confederate army, holds royal
flush over his four aces"
He got up and went out. In few
minutes he returned with long leather
pocketbook fat with papers. Looking
through it, he selected one and held the
! superscription up for me to read. II
was the generals peculiar bold hand.
"Do you know that writing?"
Never saw anything like it before
y what splendid liar! On Gen
. Heath's staff and don't know his hand
!. writing!"
He opened the letter and held it be
y fore my eyes. If it wis not what Maj
Berante claimed-the acceptance of {
+ proposition to turn over command fol
gain-I could not read Alright. Never
II in my life have had occasion to us,
y so much effort in masking my feelings
Are you convinced?" asked Mai
Is Berante.
Il No"
y He exposed his white pointed teetl
= In derisive smile.
H. flake him away" he said to tn
= guard.
9 ANY orders about him?"
4 mo; he'll go south with the other
he tomorrow"
he AS was leaving, asked: will yo
+ kindly inform me, major, the cause @
re your interest in this matter of Ger
lie Heath's?'
ST Gen. Heath will tell you. Ask hir
of if he remembers the casemate at For
T. -"
n coveted the letter he had show
II me. Innocent or guilty, was int,
~ ssted deeply in my general, and wit
that letter in my possession at leas
1e one point OF evidence against hil
pit would be cancelled. 1 caught ut
u straw, or rather my intuitions serve
Id me. Berante was plainly of SPANS
Il extraction, and there never was a Spar
at lard who was not a gambler. He ha
as used smile that told me he was fami
Id lar with the game of poker. Perhap!
Id being natural gambler myself, l kne'
lg another by instinct.
Major" said, II have trinket tina
It. would like to play against that finge
w ring of yours"
ed "You impudent boy, what do 70
at mean2"
D. 81 mean that i want that ring, an
ed am willing to risk an equal valu
d, against it,"
as You have nothing to risk. Did yo
,h not get receipt for your effects whe
h captured?"
nd 81 did, but kept one article"
/ was accustomed to carry with m
ingeniously concealed for use in cas-
should be captured, fifty-dolla
greenback. Ripping off button frol
i "a hon ni6,I.