Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-08-22
such a route?"

~ do"
"And do you know of any hiding
place near the track where the men can
lie concealed to watch the passage of
trains?"
Margaret thought moment, then
replied:
81 do"
The general made no further remark
for few moments. He was turning
something over in his mind. At last
he looked up at Margaret, and said,
impressively, but still coldly:
Perform this service, and may be
able to save you"
Despite his tone, could detect look
of intense relief in his face. Without
waiting for any reply from Margaret,
he turned quickly to his proposed ex-
petition. Where is this hiding place
you refer to?" he asked.
Near Charleston, just north of the
uiwassee."
Hills on each side?"
Eyes, and ravine, and in the rayine
cave"
"In full view OF the railroad?"
EYES,"
The general turned to his tent, aud
soon emerged with map, which he
unrolled and spread on the ground.
We all stopped over 1t, with quick
beating heart.
"Here is Charleston" he said; nov
where is the cave?"
Margaret put her finger on the place.
by what route do you propose to
reach it?"
"Over by-paths most Of the time; for
the rest we must take the risk of the
roads,"
General" l exclaimed, give me
command of the expedition"
He did not hear me; he was intent
on the map. For half an hour he went
over the different routes leading to the
objective point. asking Margaret ques-
tons about the roads, whether they
were lined with woods or plantations,
the points of divergence into by-paths,
the crossings of streams, the height of
elevations-indeed, all manner of ques-
tions that one leading party such as
he was thinking of sending would need
to know.
Suddenly he looked up at Margaret,
and, rolling up his map, asked: "How
soon can you be ready to start?"
"But general"
"Wen?"
! "You forget"
"What?"
II am under sentence"
The general started. 81 can suspend
i the carrying out of the sentence" he
said, "and more, if you prove your 10y
/ atty
! He paused, and we stood waiting
/ Like flash my memory went back tc
! the headquarters of the general-in-chie1
on the morning Gen. Heath's court
martial was deferred and he was given
an opportunity to prove his own loyalty
saw no evidence that this repetition Of
| the situation occurred to him. He fin
ished the sentence he had begun:
1--WE may secure pardon"
I expected Margaret eagerly to EN-
brace the opportunity offered; wa:
surprised to see her stand irresolute
"Well?" said the general.
II will go only under one condition
"And that is
"That no one be permitted to entel
the house during my absence"
There was an uncomfortable pause
I became anxious at once lest there hat
come hitch which would spoil al
Margaret had gained.
| Miss Beach's mother is an invalid
general" / said. Doubtless she wish
es to know that her mother will not b,
disturbed"
SIS that the reason?" he asked.
.No."
"Then what is it?"
II can't give it; but l will promis
that no harm shall come to the uniol
cause from your keeping away. What
ever is the condition at home, give yo,
my word that it shall be kept as it i
! till my return
The general stood celebrating, n
the same time studying her face
Doubtless he cared nothing for he
i promise, after his experience with he
in the breaking of her parole; or per
haps he was racking his brain for req
son in making the strange request
Presently he turned to me, and said, i,
his quick way:
Lieutenant. withdraw the guard"
ITO be continued
Dan nnAADS EVHnAl0