Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-10-11

SeAssAA SAAS tSSA
to go alone"
The generals statement that he had
gwen me Punk to supply my own de-
ficiencies occurred to me, and I was
loath to enforce my own plans in the
face Of the corporal's opposition.
GLOW would it do" I suggested, at
tempting compromise, 'for you to lie
like trooper, and for me to travel on
q system Of white lies, while Miss Beach
sticks rigidly to the truth2"
THAT" responded the corporal,
would be like the cavalry charging,
the men seated with their faces to the
crupper, the infantry pouring volleys
into the cavalry, and the artillery fir
ing at heaven"
Margaret smiled. "I'n tell you what
we will do" she said to me. "Since
you command the party, the corporal
can conform TO your stories, and I'll
keep silent"
Done" saidI.
And now that ws had gained all we
had hoped for, and had before us the
peril of carrying back the news, we
made discovery that filled us with
dismay. Private Mellodew was miss
ing. During the day he had seen the
rear-guard of the army that had passed,
and asked what 1t meant. When we
told him, noticed look on his face
that might mean incredulity or might
mean a determination to be incredulous,
but we cared nothing whether he be-
lieved or doubted. What he had gone
for none Of US could possibly imagine.
We did not suspect that under the APP
parently simple, cowardly nature there
lurked malevolenee that might be ex-
pected only under stronger exterior.
In our position we were vulnerable
even from crawling snake.
However, we wasted no time to see
II Enoch would return; when we were
ready Punk brought the horses, and
mounting as the sun was setting we
descended the hillside we had come
up few days before. We were for
tunate in finding ford at the river,
and in getting across the railroad with
out interruptions; it was later on, when
we were not looking for trouble, that
we received our first scare. Coming
to ridge, we were panic-stricken to
see each Of the roads leading into
Georgetown filed with confederate cav
airy.
"By Jovs, Plunki that's going to
raise the devil with US. They are
sweeping along the refuse In the rear,
driving in stragglers."
"Right you are, lieutenant" said
PUNK, land II we don't dodge them
they'll be likely to give US an enfilsding
fire Of questions worse than volley
from their carbines."
We halted behind clump Of trees for
parley. PUNK and I were for hiding
In the woods till they had gone by;
Margaret was for breaking up the party
and proceeding separately. We did NOT
have time to arrive at conclusion, for
suddenly body of perhaps 30 horsemen
entered the road we were on, at q gal.
lop, from by-road short distance
in advance. Each recognized that II
was too late to do anything but go for.
ward, and we started by common i'm
pulse. Happening to glance at Mar.
garst, I saw her turn pale. Her eyer
were fxed on q young officer who rode
in front Of the coming men. He came
on, evidently in hurry to get over the
ground, and when he met US did moi
slacken speed. I was congratulating
myself that he was intending to pass vi
without q word, when he suddenly
pulled in his horse.
"Why, Margaret Beach,"
He turned to the side Of the road
near US, while his men passed on, halt.
ing few rods beyond. He was trifle
older than /, with long black hair, owe,
which dropped o sombrero, black eyes
and as frank and manly face az eve,
1 looked into. After exchanging few
commonplace remarks with Margaret
who behaved with surprising GOODNESS
he looked inquiringly at me.
ION your way home2" he asked Mar
garet, in a tone evidently intended to
lead the way to some information about
the company she was in.
eyes, I am anxious to get back te
mamma"
II am glad you are protected on the
way. It's rather bad road for Q won.
an to be travelling just now"
have always believed the young man
suspected there was something wrong
but was more gallant to Margaret than
true to his duty. He babe her good-by
and as he raised his hat with the words:
my kind regards to your good mother .
his eyes met mine and seemed to say:
II decline to investigate you, my dear
sir. for her sake;" though this may
have been supplied by my own guilty
conscience. In moment he was at the
head of his men, riding rapidly down
the road.
lieutenant" said PUNK, as soon a
we were out Of hearing, I'VE WASH pre-.
pared for that meetin'. It's my opinion
that lynn is our only weapon, and that
I'm the only one of the party blessed
with an inventive genius and hard.
ened conscience calculated to take us
through what's ahead!"
"You are right, corporal. You may
do the talking, and may you be in.
spired to lie with such ingenuity and
fervor as to confound all inquiring
rebels and pilot us to haven of rest
The road for some miles was thanked
by woods. Scarcely person was on it;
indeed, we went SO far without meet.
ing anyone that when belated coun-
tryman suddenly doomed up before US
with bag Of meal thrown across his
saddle-bow, our hearts leaped into our
threats. We passed him with a
''howdy," and had the way clear for
some time. Coming to rise in the
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