Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-27

fsa'h ~ ~ n1Vs ~ !stter
command In the army 70 the mayor Of Q
eouthern town in which he was stationed.
t Hs sees M y n.S Bach
caps.
CHAPTER VIII.-Miss Beach joins Hall
outside the confederate camp and together
they reach the union lines.
CHAPTER Ix.-The confederatss are
surprised at, their camp and routed. Re-
turning to the plantation Hall again sees
the face at the window, and this time rec
ognizes 1t as that OF a young girl in a con-
federate uniform. A court-martial ts or
dered for Miss Beach.
CHAPTER X.-The court finds Miss
Beach guilty. 1t IL necessary for q SCOUT
Ing party to reach the railroad, and Miss
Beach is esked lo to act as the guide o.
accepts. but on condition that no one enter
the house while she is awav.
How s'- would a small body Of scouts
do?"
"They could not get through except
by unfrequented roads, and have no
guide"
There was renewal of the silence
between us, which 1, looking him
steadily in the eye, broke.
Margaret Beach knows the country
about here we'll"
How I dared make such suggestion
is unaccountable to me to this day. I
only know that ! possessed certain
assurance at critical moments, which
proved of untold value on this occa-
sion. Having fred my shot, waited
for its effect. A train of thought was
started in the generals mind, but
where it would lead him 1 could not
predict. Suddenly he said, in his quick,
terse tones:
Bring the prisoner to me-"
A faint hope sprang up within me.
l started to obey the order, and in q
few minutes Margaret was standing
before the general.
miss Beach," he said, "do you know
any route by which few men can
reach the railroad unobserved?"
"You 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"
Il am ready to prove that am true
to the union," said Margaret, proudly.
The general showed no sign of faith
in her assertion of loyalty Us he re-
piled: Every well. Do you know of
such q route?"
81 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
Tor few moments. He was turning
something over in his mind. At last
ne looked up at Margaret, and said,
mpressively, but still coldly:
Perform this service, and may be
able to save you"
Despite his tone, could detect a look
Of intense relief in his face. Without
Waiting for any reply from Margaret,
lie turned quickly to his proposed ex-
oedition. "Where is this hiding place
you refer to?" he asked.
Near Charleston, just north of the
Hills on each side?"
Yes, and ravine, and in the ravine
cave"
I'm full view of the railroadP"
"Yes."
The general turned to his tent, and
DON emerged with map, which he
lnrolled and spread on the ground.
We all stopped over it, 1 with quick
eating heart.
Hero is Charleston" he said; NOW
where is the cave?"
Margaret put her finger on the place.
by what route do you propose to
each it?"
"Over by-paths most of the time; for
he rest we must take the risk of the
Dads"
General" I exclaimed, give me
ommand of the expedition"
He did not hear me; he was intent
n the map. For half an hour he went
yer the different routes leading to the
Effective point, asking Margaret auss-
ions about the roads, whether they
ere lined with woods or plantations,
he points of divergence into by-paths,
ne crossings of streams, the height of
levations-indeed, all manner of ques-
ons that one leading party such as
was thinking of sending would need
} know.
Suddenly he looked up at Margaret,
nd, rolling up his map, asked: Glow
BON can you be ready to start2"
"But general"
"Well?"
"You forget"
"What?"
Il am under sentence"
The general started. II can suspend
lie carrying out of the sentence" he
i'd, land more, if you prove your 10y
ty3
He paused, and we stood waiting.
Ike flash my memory went back to
lie headquarters of the general-in-chief
the morning Gen. Heath's court
artial was deferred and he was given
opportunity to prove his own loyalty.
saw no evidence that this repetition Of
10 situation occurred to him. He fin
he'd the sentence he had begun:
we may secure pardon"
I expected Margaret eagerly 10 en-.
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