Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1900-02-15

sympathies are with you, for you have
spoken with the semblance of truth.
While I would gladly serve you, this
does not seem to be matter which adj
mits of. any interference on my part.
A court has heard the evidence and has
convicted you. I have listened to a re-
hearing, and cannot see how they could
! have done otherwise than convic. you"
Margaret stood pale but calm.
"And I must dep
Gen. Heath, who had been standing
as if lost in some dread dream of the
past, at these words reused himself,
shook off the stupor that had chained
him, and in a firm, loud voice, said:
"Call Maj. Bernal Berante."
For the love of heaven! Has the man
broken down under the strain? Is he
! losing his reason? I started towards
him and laid my hand on his arm.
General, Maj. Berante is not here"
'Maj. Berante is here. You will find
him across the hall. He has come,
general" he said, addressing the chief,
ito testify in this case. I sent flag
of truce to bring him. He was per-
mitted by his commanding officer to
come only with the understanding that
his testimony is necessary to save a
life. Maj. Berante is accompanied by
his commanding officer, Col. Archard,
that he may serve for witness as to
what may transpire, a precaution which
seemed proper and to which assented.
have pledged my word that Berante
will not be asked to give any testimony
except such as concerns Margaret
Beach, and in any self-incriminating
admissions he may make he shall have
full benefit of the protection offered by
a flag of truce. Lieut.. Hall, bring the
| witness"
I cast quick glance at Margaret,
| to noie the effect of this announce
ment. I expected some marked express
sion of relief. What was my surprise
| to see unmistakable evidence of re-
greet.
"Bring the Witness" repeated the
general.
T I dartcd from the room, and in few
minutes was in the presence of two
men who had both at different times
had me at their mercy. Without stop
ping to handy compliments, I led them
to the room, where they were expect
ed. AS we entered and Berante caught
sight of the general, his eye lighted
with malignant triumph.
Gentlemen" said Col. Archard, lit
having been represented to me that
woman accused of being a spy in the
confederate service had been convicted
and sentenced to death, and that she
needed the testimony of my subor-
dinatc, Maj. Berante, to save her, have
come with him into your lines, that he
may have witness as to what testi-
mony he shall bear. You are free to
examine him touching the case in ques-
ton, and he is free to answer, so long
as his evidence does not reveal informa-
ton pertinent to the confederate
cause"
'Maj. Berante," said the general-in-
chief, quietly, II should be pleased to
listen to your testimony"
The gentiemanly-like manner of Col.
Archard and the unpretentious bearing
of the commanding general were in
marked contrast with the loftiness of
Maj. Berantc, as he told with conscious
pride how he had entered the union
lines at Knoxville, taking Harold Beach
with him, had made the map of the de-
lenses, laying down the location and
strength of the troops, the position Of
batteries, the kind and condition of
armament; how, having been suspect
ed, he had given the map to Harold, and
by assurance and tact had made his
way back to confederate ground. He
further testified to Margaret's story
that she had sought him to beg that he
would interfere to extricate them from
their perilous situation, loftily aver
ring that he had been deferred from
giving himself up as the real culprit
only by the important work of heading
off Gen. Heath.
There was look of relief and deep
interest on the face of the general-in-
chief. Margaret's truthfulness and the
noble work she had done in shielding
her brother had been established be-
You'd question.
"And now" Berante went on, 'having
given my testimony in the case of this
innocent woman, it gives me great sat
isfaction to be able to show you that
you have among you one who is stepped
in guilt. That 1nan"-pointing to Gen.
Heath-"is traitor to the cause he
serves: there is the document to prove
it,"
Stepping towards the general Judge,
Berante handed him paper
The commander drew back. II am
not here to consider charges against
Gen. Heath" he said. II decline to
read it,
General" said the man accused, II
beg YOU to read the document Maj.
Berante Offers"
The general-in-chief directed Bera,tl~
to consider the letter. Berante stcsxt
slowly unfolding it, his glittering e.es
fixed on Gen. Heath with an expression
of malignant satisfaction.