The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-01-12
Xxx.
THE TABLES TURNED.

THE TABLES TURNED.
We had scarcely got through the
trap when the door of the room below
opened. Indeed, ] had no time to adj
just the lid, and left it ajar. Georgia
and sat on the roof, not daring to go
farther, lest our footsteps should be
heard in the room below. The corporal
of the guard put his head in AT the
door, and we heard him talking with
Margaret. He asked who was there,
and Margaret said: mo one" l sup
posed that he would search the room,
but he did not; he closed the door, and
we could hear him going downstairs.
During this period of suspense | knew
nothing except that we were in jeop-
ardy. When it was over, what was my
establishment to find my arms around
Georgia, holding her to me as If our
safety depended upon the tightness of
my grip. l would have continued in the
same position for an indefinite period
for it was not unpleasant, and my
modesty, as l have before stated, was
by no means of the first order-but
Georgia, recollecting herself with the
disappearance of immediate danger,
withdrew from my embrace. Then, in
stead of Fastening to my room, / DIAL
lied. Georgia was wild, as she had been
from the first, about her brothers crit
ical condition, and | as eager to reas-
sure her.
'IIe will be caught yet" she moaned
Not bit of it. I'm going to help
him to escape, if am shot for it,"
THAT would be only giving your life
for his"
But mine isn't worth anything-at
least, to you-and his is very dear to
you"
She did not reply to this, and l
launched forth in n number of wild
schemes for Harold's escape that could
only have emanated from the brain of
a beardless boy who had suddenly be-
come enamored. l was sowing the
wind, giving my keepers time to get on
my track. ] knew nothing but Georgia
and my impossible devices in behalf of
her brother, till suddenly, noticing a
stirring in the yard below, unusual
after taps" l led Georgia TO her sky
light, saw her safely through, then, GO
ing to where l had left my hook and
ladder" let myself down to the roof of
the extension and waited for the sem
tries to be out of view. Then, securing
my hook to the cornice directly above
my room, l swung myself clear. vi
brating once, twice-crack, and down
| went. Some one caught me in his
arms, staggered, but kept his legs. I
turned my head, and looked into the
face of--the general
lie put me down and stood staring.at
me. I behaved better on this occasion
than ever before when he had me at
disadvantage.
"a fine night, general" said, quite
calmly.
Gust the night for signing and
singing under Bonnybel's window
panes,'" he quoted from favorite bal
lad.
"Or dangling before ones own win
dow-panes," l suggested.
when you are older you will not
care to risk your heart, your honor,
and your neck in such escapades. Then
you'll know boy is an ass. Come with
me-"
He led me to his tent, where he threw
himself on his back on his camp cot.
He looked worn and weary. | stood
waiting for him to proceed with
catechism which ] naturally expected.
"You are infatuated with a woman"
he said, land are on the.verge of ruin
ing your career"
"What woman?"
Margaret Beach"
would you mind telling me, general,
how you know that?"
ut is plain as day. l make truce
with Miss Beach that she may lead you
to a point where you can watch the
enemy. No enemy passes. To save her
and some confederate, perhaps, hidden
on these premises, you return and make
! a false report. Would you do this were