The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-01-26
Then he read;

"A. ii. ~
Berante. having finished, stepped to
the presiding judge and handed INN
the letter. The stiffness of death fell
upon us all. Margaret, notwithstand-
ing it's damning character, received 1t
with a defiant glance at the reader.
The general in chief, beneath his
sphinx-like exterior, gave evidence, in
the restless turning of his eyes from
accuser to accused that he was deep
ly impressed Col. Archard stood thun-
derstruck at the sudden turn events
had taken, regarding with surprise and
anger his subordinate, who had with
held his intentions from him. Gen.
Heath stood facing his accuser, but
gave no token by his expression as TO
his guilt or innocence.
ibid you write that letter, general"
asked the chief.
81 did"
General" exclaimed Margaret, ad-
dressing the chief, 1.-The man who bears
that letter induced my brother, mere
boy, to put his neck in halter, and
when suspected threw the proof of his
treachery on his comrade. ] have
known both these men, and tell you
that Maj. Berante is capable of any
iniquity, while Gen Heath"
The faces OF the group fastened on
her in surprise made Margaret sudden
ly conscious of what she was saying,
for crimson flush unfurled itself in
her cheek, and she shrank back. The
commander-i Judge, touched by this out
burst of confidence, asked, kindly:
"Why do you place such trust in one
who has not trusted you?"
Because the evidence against me
was so strong that Gen. Heath would
have been fool to trust me-"
THE evidence against you was cir
cumstantial, that against him is writ
ten. Written evidence is, believe, the
strongest known In law"
"Were he to write himself n traitor on
hundred sheets l would not believe
him guilty"
"Why?"
because"
He waited to hear her reason, but
no reason came; only tear that glis'
tened in her eye.
Because" said the commander, fin
ishing for her, you are woman"
Raising his eyes, Gen. Heath gave
Margaret look-a look of penitence
of gratitude. But Margaret doubtless
saw far more, for suddenly her face
lighted with a triumphant joy--a dim
flashing of a divine sensation, and
knew that she had received the one
great message of her life.
Seen. Heath" said the commander
"you remember our interview on thS
morning of your departure on your
mission?"
IL do"
"And the order OF the secretary Of
warp"
II remember"
81 have done for you all in my power
Your effort to vindica e yourself by {
signal service has resulted in furnish
ing such strong proof of your guilt tina
| do not consider myself warranted il
further postponing the secretGry's or
deT. You will go to your quarters un
der arrest"
Cen Heath had made his replies al
one whose mind was on other matters
At the order to consider himself unde
arrest he started.
Zone moment" he said, addressing
= the general-in-chief. 81 have bit o
evidence to submit in my behalf. Blu
first let me speak a word with refer
ence to my past relations with Ma
> Berante. We were classmates at Yves
"a 4 . I.
same fort on the Atlantic coast. BE
ing of Spanish extraction, he inherited
n Spaniard's passion for gambling, ant
thereby got into trouble. AS command
ant of the post il became my duty 4
d., confine him in one OF the classmates
and since then he cherished for Inc n,
, great friendship. The spring of 1sG
; found us again together at post il
Texas in command, Berante second
Seressonis1s in neighboring tow,
, were preparing to surround and cap
ture our little force. Fortunately, tn
. mayor was at heart union man, ant
, secretly aided me to thwart the de
Z signs of the conspirators. | had beer
I informed from Washington that
L |
| of Texas to remove my command, an,
!, relied upon the mayor to stave off a
attack by diplomacy till the arrival o
!, the ship, and to inform me of its CON
/ ing; information that could only
I furnished me clandestinely.
Y Zone morning | received from tn
K mayor a letter containing deman
e for the surrender of the post, couple
= with an offer to me personally of a trae
= of land and commission in the cor
= federate army if | would do as he re
+ quired, Aware that he was dissen
A bling to his associates, | felt confdeu
O that his note was to be read betwee
c the lines. l subjected it to number c
a tests without results, when il occurre
to me to use the simple method of az
Q plying heat. To my satisfaction LEI
= tiers of n brown color came out:
IL .