Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-11-29
VII.
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

inside. An officer in immaculate confed-
crate gray was seated by a table, writ
ing and smoking cigarette. He was
so swarthy that fancied he must have
African blood in his veins. while his
sombrero's conical shape and the upward
turn of his mustache suggested Mephis.
topheles. noticed, as he wrote, seal
ring on the little finger of the hand
that held the pen. Presently he fin
ished, folded the paper and gave it to
an orderly, then looked up at me with
as wicked pair of eyes as ever gazcd
into.
Woodworking, sir" he said, in a soft
voice which contrasted singularly with
his threatening eyes. II hope you are
quite well this morning."
"Quite we'll, thank you"
II must apologize for the constraint
put upon you. It is the fortune OF
war;"
"A mere trifle to soldier"
"Perhaps you will favor me with
some information I DESIRE"
certainly, if not inconsistent with
my honor"
II see you are on the staff
"How do you know that?"
1.-THE wreath on your cap. ought to
know United States uniform after a
service of ten years in the United
States army"
''Indeed?"
"What is your commander doing in
this region?''
"That is for you to find out"
Without changing his expression, ex-
cept a wickeder CLEAN of his eyes, he
drew a revolver, and, pointing it at me,
said, placidly:
"Perhaps your breakfast this morn
ing was not sufficiently peppered."
I was familiar with this mode of
extracting information, as had seen
the general use it often; nevertheless,
those little serpent eyes appalled, me,
but I succeeded in mastering my fear,
and said, initiating his own cool tone:
''Thank you, would like the break
fast first and the pepper afterwards. IT
an invitation to a morning repast were
sent me, it must have gone astray."
He regarded me curiously. you are
good pluck, anyway" He lowered his
revolver, and evidently made up his
mind to try another plan. "I'll order
something for you to eat presently.
Perhaps you won't mind telling me the
name of the general you serve?''
"Certainly. Gen. Alan Heath"
''The devil"
"Quite a different person, T assure
you.''
"singular," he said, musingly, what
meetings this war brings about.
Young man, your general and were
classmates at West Point"
"Indeed?"
"And served at the same posts"
"What luck!" said to myself. "I'l
be treated splendidly; perhaps ex-
changed at once"
"Gen. Heath makes his headquarters
at Morgantown's CROSSROADS, I be-
lieve?"
I made no reply.
AT the Beach plantation?"
I was surprised at the accuracy Of
his information.
Making love to Margaret Beach,"
Inwardly started; outwardly I
maintained my composure. "He IL
treating her as an enemy" I said.
coldly.
81 have occasion to remember Alan
Health" he went on, with one of his
wicked looks. ''Would you mind TAX
ing message to him? That is, if you
ever see him again, which won't be
very soon."
II will, with pleasure"
''Tell him that have carefully pre-
served the letter he wrote the mayor Of
- in March, 81, accepting his offer to
turn over the United States troops at
the post under his command for con-
sideration."
What did this mean? I had had much
to stagger my faith in the general, and
now it began to look as if where there
was so much smoke there must be some
fire. However, I maintained my pres
ence of mind before his accuser.
'"That would mean dishonor. Gen.
Heath is the soul of honor"
He smiled knowingly. "Would you
like to see the letter?''
"No."
II wish you to see it; wish, if you
ever see Gen. Heath again, that you
may be able to convince him that Cadet
Berante, Lieut.. Berante, of the til
United States artillery, Maj. Berante,
OF the confederate army, holds royal
flush over his four aces"
He got up and went out. In few
minutes he returned with a long leather
pocketbook fat with papers. Looking
through it, he selected one and held the
suPerscription up for me to read. 1t
was the generals peculiar bold hand.
DO you know that writing?'
''Never saw anything like it before"
"What splendid liar! On Gen.
Heath's staff and don't know his hand
writing!"
He opened the letter and held it be-
fore my eyes. If it was not what Mai.
Berante claimed-the acceptance of a
proposition to turn over a command for
gain-l could not read Alright. Never
in my life have had occasion to use
so much effort in masking my feelings.
Are you convinced?" asked Maj
Berante.
''No."
he exposed his white pointed teeth
in a derisive smile. .-.-,
stake him away" he said to the
guard.
ANY orders about him?" ~,
mo; he'll 60 south with the others
tomorrow"