Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-09-12

would have surely betrayed the whole
party. AS it was, l came very near
doing so within another ten minutes.
It was the colonel's turn to draw to
fill his hand. He drew one card.
Whether the game was of more inter-
est to him than the medicine I know
not, but he forgot all about the quiz
nine-at least for the moment. l
hoped he would win; it would put him
in good humor, and he would be all
the more lenient with us.
/ was standing where I could over
look the hand of lieutenant-a
youngster about my own age, with an
impassiye face. noticed that he held
three aces, and looked for him to
win. I was surprised to see him pass
out. The rest kept on betting till all
were satisfied.
"Call."
"Show down."
"Three knaves."
'Three kings"
What y got, colonel?"
Full O. tens"
Scoop" And the "pot" was brushed
over to the colonel. I admired the lieu
tenants foresight in passing out with
three aces.
Another set of large hands was dealt,
and the confederate bills began to pile
up on the table like the contents of a
waste-paper basket. A little betting
soon drove all out except the lieuten-
ant and the colonel. The colonel bet
$50; the lieutenant who had passed out
on three aces called him and won the
pot" on three deuces.
by thunder, corporal" exclaimed,
that was well played"
Every man at the table looked up
at me. turned red, then white, while
Margaret instinctively shrank back
into the darkness.
where's the corporal?" asked the
colonel.
I'm no corporal" said the lieuten-
ant, If he means me-"
was too paralyzed to reply. PUNK
came to the rescue. Looking signifi-
cantly at the confederates, he put his
finger on his lips, and tapped his fore
head, as If to say: "Don't mind him;
he's off his head"
There's something queer about you
all" said the colonel; reckon I'll look
into this. Captain" he said to the Of
ftcer OF the day, "take my cards." He
got up from the table and left the tent,
motioning Punk, Margaret and myself
to follow him. Having led the way to
campfire near by, he stopped beside
II and began to question US.
Whats your name?" he asked of
Punk.
"John Rand"
Where do you liver"
"At Morganton Cross Roads,"
What do you do?"
Farm IT,"
"You?" turning to me-'what's your
name?"
Before ! had time to reply, PUNK,
with his usual presence of mind and
adroitness, coming to the rescue.
tapped his forehead. I took the hint
and stood mute. The officer was not
convinced. He then turned to Mar
gaFet,
"You3"
What do you wish to know,
,olonel?"
"Who are your"
"My name2"
EYES,"
Margaret Beach"
The officer was getting no informa-
ton to enable him to judge of us, and
seemed puzzled what to do. In such
work he was evidently not an expert.
WELL" he said, at last, you'll have
to go to the guard-house and stay
there till can find out more about
you"
Colonel" said Margaret.
"Well7"
let me speak with you alone"
He cast an inquiring glance at her,
then led her out of hearing. We
watched them talking, Margaret speak
ing confidentially, the colonel with
every word becoming more attentive.
o, my God! she would never talk
that way with him unless she We're
friendly to his cause. There Is some
deep-laid scheme which she has been
working from the first. She is ex-
planning it all to the confederate. He
takes her hand and looks at her kind
ly. She turns to come to us. He lifts
his hat with all the grace of the truly
polished southern gentleman.
Hark!
There was distant sound of horses
hoofs, but so indistinct that was
about concluding was mistaken when
I heard sudden turmoil on the outer
limit of the camp, with shots, indi-
eating q sudden attack. The colonel
called for his horse, mounted and rode
to the front.
We three stood breathless, waiting
developments. Bullets began to sing
by our ears and spit against the trees.
The confederates few to arms. AT the
front we could discover the dark forms
of horsemen charging.
'sLookl"
The word came from Margaret, who
spoke in tone so unusual to her that
l glanced quickly at her before follow
ing the direction of her eyes. She was
quivering with excitement. Then
turned to see what moved her. AT that
moment the clouds parted, and, through
an opening IN the trees, inquire stoou
out plainly in the moonlight, pointing
with his sword to the confederate line.
Then the horse plunged forward, bear
| ing his rider out of sight.
1.-THE general"
We all spoke the words Simultaneous
ly. Had he been watching for our re-
turn, and, knowing Of our presence in
the confederate camp, made the attack
In order to free us? Or was he acting