Willmar tribune., 1899-12-13
wound around to tie houss. III ue en- ls.,
tered the gro ,nds we heard . faint
boom. It was the morning gun fred
at sunrise from some distant camp.
A STROKE OF GENIUS.

Margaret went at once to her mother.
I 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. occu-
pied myself in rehearsing what I would
say that I might convey her breach of
parole so artfully covered by her great
service to me that the general would
be impressed in her favor. By the time
he had risen I had my story we'll laid
out, and hoped against hope. I'waited
till saw him leave his tent and go to
the mess-tent for breakfast, then I
joined him.
'*Halloo!" he said, surprised; II
thought you were taken
$50 was. I escaped"
"Good!" He was very much pleased,
and grasped me warmly by the hand.
''How did you manage it?''
"Well, you see, general, until pris-
oner is confined in regular quarters, he
is not very we'll guarded"
"You are right there; quite a 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. I 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."
tWith whom?'' The general was but
tcring piece Of corn bread.
"a woman
"A woman?" He smiled. "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?" I 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?"
''They 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 I rolled
under the wagon; then cut"
"Who was she?'
II cut through the woods, jumped
q fence, and"
"The woman?"
"What the devil does it matter who
she was, general ?" I 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 la femme. I shall
be delighted to hear of one woman in
the south favoring the union cause, or
even a young union soldier who carries
his heart on his sleeve"
His mocking tone had been making
me angry ever since the conversation
began. His last remark made me hot.
''The woman in this case," cried,
''is 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 her?' he asked,
quickly.
I'm house occupied by the COM
officer of the rebels"
He strove hard to conceal his feel
ings. It was impossible. His head
dropped on his chest and shiver 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, II
am ready to resign my position on your
staff and submit to court-martial."
my boy" he said, kindly, and knew
that on this occasion he used the ex-
preston affectionately, "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 a pause, to break k which
I 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, I 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
for anything. We found the
general waiting for us before his tent.
Miss Beach," he said. as if 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 enemy's camp. 1t is plain to me
for what purpose; but I confess I do
not understand your return. I would
be glad to hear your explanation"
II 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 a per-
jurer?" -.
.'For my acts I am accountable to no
human being" r...~
There was short silence, during
which the two regarded each other
intently. In the generals face I could
see nothing but condemnation, while
I fancied I saw a'quick glance of re-
proach in Margaret's dark eyes, like the
flash of a gun at night. .....
"Fromt this moment" the general said,