Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-10-03

enemy, which she is desperate enough
to do even with her neck in halter"
You mean noble enough to do, did
she consider it her duty"
The oddity of the situation suddenly
flashed upon me. First the general is
accused and irritated to the verge of in
subordination. Then he meets Marga-
ret Beach, with evidence against her as
strong as that against himself, and, be-
lieving her guilty, treats her with far
more severity than the government had
treated him. Lastly, the infection
spreads to me. Being accused wrong
fully, am about to make my treatment
an excuse to assist an enemy of the gov
eminent to escape. Surely, when the
devil sows, he catches all within range
of the seed.
And when the devil gets one into a
condition to suit him he kindly fur
nishes the means Of getting stronger
grip on his victim. left the general
In high dudgeon, and, going to the
house, sat on the veranda, nursing nv
wrath to keep it warm" Ihad spent an
hour in this fashion, when, hearing
some one pass out of the front door, /
turned and discovered Georgia. When
she saw me she started back; then she
came forward, and, hoarse with emo
ton, said:
Mamma is very i'll. Can't you go to
the general and get pass for me to go
down the road to where our doctor
lives?
HE would send an orderly"
She buried her face in her handker-
chief.
II can give you permit in the gen.
erals name," said.
"Please do"
suspected at once that her object
was to send her brother out of the lines
in her clothes. had assured her that
I would aid him to escape, but, now that
came face to face with wrong, not
withstanding that the devil was buzz
ing about my ear, hesitated.
"You want q pass for your brother to
USE"
"For myself"
"Surely2"
Surely"
I led her to the gate and directed the
guard to let her go out. What was my
surprise to see her hasten away into the
darkness without hesitation or fear, or
even good-by.
"Upon my world" / exclaimed, "she
wants to go for doctor, but she might
have at least thanked me for helping
her to do So"
Early next morning orders were is
sued to march as soon as the men could
get their breakfast. Where we were 60
ing was not divulged, but surmised we
We're to go either to Knoxville or Chat
tanooga. Wondering what had become
of Georgia, mounted the stairs, and,
inquiring which was her room, tapped
at the door.
WHO'S there?" 1 recognized Geor-
gia's voice, but noticed that it was much
sweeter than the night before.
II, Lieut.. Hall. 1 only wish to know
If you were successful in your quest last
night"
"Y-e-s."
what time did you get back?"
Nonsense. 1t was II when passed
you beyond the lines"
Again there was short silence, fol-
lowed by: "Was it"
whats the matter with your" I
asked.
Nothing; go away. I'll tell you by
and by
went downstairs, and on reaching
the gallery found summons to go to
the general. As left the house solid
company of troopers marched up and
took possession.
Lieutenant" said the general, 1--WE
nre to go at once to Chattanooga, where
this whole matter will be referred to
the commanding general; but before we
march intend to put it beyond posi-
biity for anyone who may be concealed
within the limits of this plantation to
escape me. I shall make final search
myself, and I desire you to accompany
me-"
followed him to the house, which l
found filled with men. They were scat
tered in every apartment, in the halls,
in the cellar, on the roof. TWAS plain
that the general had caught the secret
Of Harold's Beach's long-maintained
lodging. My heart sank within me. At
last the boy must be trapped. Margaret
would be indicated, but her brothers.
arrest and the speedy punishment that
would surely follow would be terrible
blow to her. The general walked rapid
ly through all the rooms of the lower
stories, but 1t was only when he reached
the top floor that he began to hunt in
earnest. Every room except the one in
which Margaret had been placed was
examined in every nook and corner.
When we came to Georgia room, was
surprised that she was not there.
Mounting to the roof, the general or
dered a man to thrust saber tied to
guidon staff down the chimney. No one
was found, and the searching party de-
scended to the floor below. A sentry
was standing at Margaret's door. The
general stopped before it, hesitated,
started to go downstairs, but, changing
his mind, went back and knocked.
The door was thrown open by Marga-
ret, and the general, followed by his
attendants, stepped over the threshold.
By the window stood figure that !
recognized as the object of our search
Harold Beach. Margaret's face was
calm; indeed, it struck me with won
der that, now the blow had fallen, she
bore it so TRANQUILITY. Harold turned,