Willmar tribune., 1899-12-20

Margaret Beach knows the country
about here well.'
How dared make such suggestion
is unaccountable to me to this day. I
only know that I possessed certain
assurance at critical moments, which
proved of untold value on this occa-
sion. Having fired my shot, I waited
for it's effect. A train of thought was
started in the generals mind, but
where it would lead him l could not
predict. Suddenly he said, in his quick,
terse tones:
Bring the prisoner to me-"
A faint hope sprang up within me.
I started to obey the order, and in a
few minutes Margaret was standing
before the general.
'Nliss Beach," he said, "do you know
any route by which a few men can
reach the railroad unobserved?"
''Iou have condemned me for giving
information to the confederates; do
you think me so base as to serve both
sides?''
''As you like" he said; then, turning
to me, ''Take her back"
II am ready to prove that I am true
to the union," said Margaret, proudly.
The general showed no sign of faith
in her assertion of loyalty as he re-
piled: ''Very well. Do you know of
such route?''
II 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 a moment, then
replied:
II do.'
The general made no further remark
for a 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 I 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-
pedition. "Where is this hiding place
you refer to-" he asked.
"Near Charleston, just north of the
Hiwassee.'
Hills on each side?"
eyes, and a ravine, and in the ravine
a cave"
''In full view of the railroad?'
"Yes."
The general turned to his tent, and
soon emerged with map, which he
unrolled and spread on the ground.
We all stopped over it, with quick
beating heart.
"Here is Charleston" he said; ''now
where is the cave?"
Margaret put her finger on the place.
by what route do you propose to
reach it?"
lover by-paths most of the time; for
the rest we must take the risk of the
roads,"
General" I exclaimed, "give me
command of the expedition"
He did not hear me; he was intent
en- the map. For half an hour he vent
over the different routes leading to the
objective point, asking Margaret ques-
tions 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
clevations-indeed, all manner. of 0ues-
tlons 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
"Well?"
"You forget
"What?"
II am under sentence"
The general started. II can suspend
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 to
the headquarters of the general-in-chief
on the morning Gen. Heath's court
$4,000 ~AN~A "'e~9 N1ACAACO dAu lie was gwen
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:
I'VE may secure a pardon"
l expected Margaret eagerly to en-
brace the opportunity offered; was
surprised to see her stand irresolute.
''Wel1?" said the general:
u will 60 only under one condition. !"
"And that is
THAT no one be permitted to enter
the house during my absence
There was an uncomfortable pause.
[ became anxious at once lest there had
come hitch which would spoil all
Margaret had gained. n. x.
miss Beach's mother is an invalid.
general" I said. doubtless she wish
es to know that her mother will not be
disturbed" -. ~
lis that the reason?" he asked. 3
mo. i 4: .. Fl : .= ..:s- q: i: u