Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-20

again sees mysterious face at the VIM
dow.
CHAPTER v.-aen. Heath accepts a pa.
her. During the night she slips out Of the
house and escapes.
CHAPTER yI-The federal troops ara
surprised at night and in the fight Lieut..
Hail Is captured.
CHATTER YII.-Lieut. Hall 10 taken be.
fore a confederate. Maj. Berante. who had
been classmate Of Gen. Heath at West
1 Claimed ans ssys sye w1 @ IN ns s;
written by Heath offering to surrender hil
command In the army to the mayor Of 2
@ sses tSe IL etsa aeh r. Ss
turns up and at night assists Hail to ss-
cape.
"Halloo!" he said, surprised; II
thought you were taken"
$50 was. escaped"
"Good!" He was very much pleased,
and grasped me warmly by the hand.
GLOW 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
down to breakfast. "Well?"
Last night was kept in bivouac with
other prisoners. The camp on one side
was protected by wagons instead of a
sentry. 1 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 guard all the while ~
Chatting"
with whom?" The general was but
tcring piece of corn bread.
"a woman"
"a womanw He smiled. 1.-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?" 1 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"
"Ihey will, as soon as they have
formed a 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 while rolled
under the wagon; then cut"
who was she?"
ST cut through the woods, jumped
q fence, and"
'The woman?"
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 Ia femme. I shall
be delighted to hear of one woman in
the south favoring the union cause, ol
even young union soldier who carrie.
his heart ON his Sleeve"
His knocking tone had been making
me angry ever since the conversation
began. His last remark made me hot
The woman in this case" cried
rebelliously, lis one of the noblest Of
Gods creatures"
"And this noble creatures name is
Margaret Beach,"
The general started and turned pale
where did you meet her3" he asked
quickly.
SIN house occupied by the com.
handing officer of the rebels"
He strove hard to conceal his feel.
ings. 1t was impossible. His head
dropped on his chest and a 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 a husky voice, 81
am ready to resign my position on your
staff and submit to n court-martial."
MY boy" he said, kindly, and knew
that OH this occasion he used the cX-
preston atfectionately, 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 pause, to break which
1 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, 1 told Margaret
that the general wanted to see her. Well
as she realized the change her last net
had made in him, she did not realize it
fully. But she was perfectly calm and
prepared for anything. We found the
general waiting for us before his tent.
Miss Beach," he said, as II address
ing stranger, you were caught with
information in your possession intend
ed for the enemy. Your word of honor
was pledged not thus to offend again,
whereupon you were given your liberty,
and at once took advantage of it to go
to the cnemy's camp. 1t is plain to me
for what purpose; but 1 confess do
not understand your return. 1 would
be glad to hear your explanation"
Il have no explanation to make, gen
eral." She used the word general
with the same cold emphasis he had
used when addressing her as Miss
Beach.
Are you content to remain per-
jurer?"
For my acts am accountable to no
human being"
There was short silence, during
which the two regarded each other
lntently. In the generals face l could
see nothing but condemnation, while
1ancled l saw quick glance of re-