Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-14
VII.
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

VII.
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.
When i awoke the sun stood high. A
young confederate officer rode up to
our bivouac, and, singing me out from
among the Observation-Disclosures be-
cause i was the only officer present
ordered the sergeant of the guard &c
send me 20 headquarters a Eaan with
cpcked carbine conducted me to ..
house beside the road, where I waz
halted for time, then led to a room
inside. An officer in immaculate confed-
srate gray was seated by n table, writ
ing and smoking a cigarette He was
SO swarthy that L fancied he must have
African blood in his veins, while his
sombrero's conical shape and the upwaEd
turn of his mustache suggested Mephix-
4opheles. / noticed, as he wrote, n seal
rsng on the little finger of the hand
that held the PEN Presently he fin
ished, folded the paper and gave it to
an orderly. then looked up at me with
as wicked pair of eyes an ever gazed
into.
-Good-morning, sir" he said. In n soft
voice which contrasted singularly with
his threatening eyes. Il hope you are
quite web this morning."
quite well, thank you--
''I must apologize for the conStraint
put upon you. 1t is the fortune OF
war
"a mere triAe to n soldier"
Perhaps you viii favor me with
some information desire"
Certainly, IL not inconsistent with
my honor"
Il see you are on the staff"
''How do you know that?''
1.-THE wreath on your cap. / ought to
know United States uniform after a
service OF ten years in the United
States army"
-tn6aed?"
-What is your commander doing in
this region?'
THAT is for you to find out"
Without changing his expression, ex-
eept a wickeder CLEAN OF his eyes. he
drew a revolver, and, pointing IL at me,
said. placidly:
perhaps your breakfast fhis morn
ing was Lot sufficiently peppered-"
l was familiar with this mode OF
extracting information, as had seen
the general use it often; nevertheless
those httls serpent eyes appalled, me
but l succeeded in mastering my fear
and said, initiating his own cool tone:
Thank you, would like the break
fast first and the pepper afterwards Il
an invitation to a morning repast wers
sent me, it must have gone astray-"
He regarded me curiously- lyon an
good pluck, anyway" He lowered hii
revolver, and evidently made up hi
mind to try another plan I'm ordei
something for you to eat presently
Perhaps you won't mind telling me tn
name of the general you server"
Certainly. Gen. Alan Heath"
''The DEVIL"
"Quite a different person, / assUr
you"
singular" he said, musingly, '-wha
meetings this war brings about
Young man. your general and I wer
classmates at West Point"
Indeed ?"
And served at the same posts"
what lucb!" said TO myself IT
be treated splendidly; perhaps e.
changed at once"
"Gen. Heath makes his headquarteT
at Morgantown's CROSSROADS. 1 b
6eve?"
made no reply.
AT the Beach plantationT'
1 was surprised at the accuracy {
his information.
Making love to Margaret Beach7'
Inwardly 1 started; cutwardly
maintained my composure. ''He
treating her as an enemy" saf
coldiy.
II have occasion to remember Ala
Heath" he went on, with one of h
wicked looks. Would you mind Ia
ing a message to him? That is, if yc
ever see him again, which won't
Very soon.P
81 win, with pleasure"
-Tell him that have carefully pr
served the letter he wrote the mayor
- in March, 81. accepting his offer
turn over the United States troops
the post under his command for a CO
sideration."
What did this mean? I had had niue
TO stagger my faith in the general, a.
now it began to look as II where the
was so much smoke there must be sor
FIRE. However, maintained my pIs
ence of mind before his accuser.
THAT would mean dishonOr. &c
Heath is the soul of HONOR
de smiled knowingly Would y
Ike to see the letter?''
NO"
Il wish you to see IT, wish. Il ,
ever see Gen. Heath again. that y
may. be able taccnxinss him that ca