The Irish standard., 1899-11-11

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
4, ] be obliged to report my arrival, with
all it involved for Margaret. I occu-
pied myself in rehcarsing what I would
say that 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 l had my story we'll laid
out, and hoped against hope. WAITED
till I saw him leave his tent and go to
the mess-tent for breakfast, then l
joined him.
"IIalloo!" he said, surprised; 81
thought you were taken"
so was. L escaped"
"Good!" He was very much pleased,
and grasped me warmly by the hand.
GLOW did you manage ito"
"Well, you see, general, until a pris-
oner is confined in regular quarters, he
is not very well guarded"
"You are right there; quite a number
of our mon have come in lie sat
down to breakfast. "Wen?"
Last night was kept in bivouac with
other prisoners. The camp OIL 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.'
"Whcre was the guard all the while?"
"Chatting."
with whom?" The general was but
tering a piece of corn bread.
ga 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?' 1 asked,
changing the subject in order to gain
time to think.
II didn't; they got themselves away
by hard fighting. We managed to get
togethcr-those of us who were left
and retreated hcre.''
"Why didn't the enemy follow"
'"They will, as soon as they have
formed 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?"
81 cut through the woods, jumped
4 fence, and"
'"The woman?"
"What the devil does it matter who
she was, general?" blurted, losing my
self-control. lie should have put me
under arrest for an insubordinate an
swer. He did no such thing; he seemed
to enjoy my discontinue.
"H'm! Cherchez la femme. I shall
be delighted to hear of one woman in
the south favoring the union cause, or
even young union soldier who carries
his heart on his sleeve"
His hooking tone had been making
me angry ever since the conversation
began. His last remark made me hot.
1.-The woman in this case" I cried,
rebelliously, sis 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
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 a stricken man
to that Of one ncrvcd for any duty.
General" said, in a husky voice, "I
am ready 10 resign my position on your
staff and submit to court-nartial."
My boy" he said, kindly, and knew
that on this occasion he used the en-
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
l asked: "Havc you any orders, gen
cral?'
eyes. Bring the prisoner TO INC" She
was no longer Margaret Beach; she was
"the prisoner"
Going to the house, told Margaret
that the general wanted to see her. Well
as she realized the change her last act
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 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,
whcreupon you were given your liberty,
and at once took advantage of it to go
to the encmy's camp. 1t is plain to me
for what purpose; but confess do
not understand your return. I would
be glad to hear your explanation"
81 have no explanation to make, gen
cral.'' She used the word "gencral'
with the same cold emphasis he had
used when addressing her as Miss
Beach.
care you content to remain a per-
jurer?"
For my acts am accountable to no
human being"
There was a short silence, during
which the two regarded each other
intcntly. In the generals face l could
see nothing but condemnation, while
[ fancied ! saw a quick glance OF rc-
preach in MarCarct's dark eyes. like II ne