Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-21
a .Fr''sls4a TX. ...c-ss I
A STROKE OF GENIUS

Margaret went at once to her mother.
j sat on the gallery, dreading the mo-
ment when the general would rise and
] be obliged to report my arrival, with
all it involved for Margaret. i Occu-
pied myself in rehearsing what / would
gay that might convey her breach of
parole so Rrtfully covered by her great
service to me that the general would
be impressed in her favor. BY the time
he had risen l had my story well laid.
out, and hoped against hope. i waited
till saw him leave his tent and go to
the mess-tent for breakfast, then /
Joined him.
"HalIool" he said. surprised; II
thought you were taken"
so I was. escaped"
"Goodl" He was very much pleased
and grasped me warmly by the hand
''How did you manage it?'
We'll, you see, general, until n 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. ] 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 a piece of corn bread.
"a woman"
"a woman?" He smiled. ''Th'
incest bits of deviltry in this war ar
accomplished by women"
This was not according to my ne
hearsal at all. "How did You set tn
command away. general?" L asked
changing the subject in order to gaiI
time 10 think.
Il didn't; they got themselves ava,
by hard fighting. We managed to &c
together-those of us who were left
and retreated here"
'Why didn't the enemy follow"
"They will, as soon as they hav
formed junction with others of thei
forces. Ny vedettes are on the iookOu
for them. But this woman who wa
chatting with the Antry?"
"She kept him talking while role
under the wagon; then cut"
-Who was she?"
"I cut through the woods, jumPe
q fence, and"
1.-THE woman?"
'What the devil does it matter WI
she was, general ?'' bldrted, losing N
self-eontrol. He should have put II
hinder arrest for an insubordinate a
swer. He did no such thing; he seems
TO enjoy my discontinue.
HIN! Cherchez Ia femme. ] shs
be delighted to hear of one woman
the seth favoring the union cause,
even young union soldier who CARR
his heart on his sleeve"
His hooking tone had been malNiI
me angry ever since the conversati'
began. His last remark made me hC
The woman in this case" l erie
rebelHously, lis one of the noblest
Gods creatures"
"And this noble creatures name is
Margaret Beach"
The general started and turned pa
"Where did you meet herr" he ask'
quickly.
"In house occupied by the co
manding officer of the rebels"
He strove hard to conceal his fe
ings. 1t was impossible. His he
dropped on his chest and SILVER ST
through his body. Then suddenly
covering himself, his expressi
changed from that of a stricken m
TO that of one nerved for any duty.
General" 1 said. in a husky voice,
nm ready to resign my position on "
staff and submit to court-martial
my boy" he said, kindly, and kn
that on this occasion he used the
preston affectionately, "your resig
ton would not be accepted, and ,
will not be tried. Your action in
matter is perfectly satisfactory TO m
There was a pause, to break VIII
/ asked: ''Have you any orders. 6
eralT'-