The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-02-01

$500 T71-T-Z $1,000
sympathies r with you, for you have
spoken with the semblance Of truth.
While I would gladly serve you, this
does not seem to be a matter which adj
mits of any4interference 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 convict you.''
Margaret stood pale but calm.
"And I must die?"
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? l. he
losing his reason? started towald DIS
him and laid my hand.on his arm.
General, Maj. Eerante is not here"
"Naj. Berante is here. You will find
AAhA dS1oSo tAc Hall. Iic Ills COIuc,
general" he said, addressing the chief,
ito testify in this case. I sent a flag
of truce to bring him. lie was per-
mitted by his commanding officer to
come only with the understanding that
his testimony is necessary to save q
life. Maj. Berante is accompanied by
his commanding officer, Col. Archard,
that he may serve for a witness as to
what may transpire, a precautionw which
seemed proper and to which i assented.
I have pledged my word that Berantc
will not be asked to give any testimony
except such as concerns Margaret
Beach, and in any sclf-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'
I cast a quick glance at Margaret,
to note the effect Of this announce
ment. respected some marked express
sion of relief. What was my surprise
to see unmistakable evidence of re-
gret.
"Bring the Witness" repeated the
! general.
I dartcd from the room, and in a 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 andBerante caught
sight of the general, his eye lighted
with malignant triumph.
Gentlemen" said Col. Archard, lit
having been represented to me that n
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, Ihave
come with him into your lines, that he
may have q witness as to what testi-
mony he shall bear. You are free TIC
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.' 20.
"Maj. Berante," said the general-in.
chief, quietly, ST should be pleased tic
llSten 10 your LeStlmony.N 80
The gentiemanly-like manner of Col
Archard and the unpretentious bearing
of the commanding general were in
marked contrast with the ~loftiness oil
Maj. Berante, as he told with conscious
pride how he had entered the unior
lines at Knoxville, taking Harold.Beach
with him, had made the map of the de
lenses, laying down the location ant
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. Ht
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 a look of relief and deer
interest on the face of the g%eneral-in'
chief. Margarct's truthfulness and tho
noble work she had done in shielding
her brother had been established be.
You'd question.
"And now,' Berante went on, "havine
given my testimony in the case of this
innocent woman, it gives me great sat
isfaction to be able to show you thai
you have among you one who is STEPPED
in guilt. That man"-pointing to Gen
Heath-"is a traitor to the cause he
serves: there is the document TO prov.
it."
Stepping towards the general-judge
Berante handed him n paper.
The commander drew back. 1T all
not here to consider charges agains'
Gen. Heath" he said. 81 decline t.
read it,"
General" said the man accused, "a.
beg you to read the document MAJ
Bcrante Offers"
The general-in-chief directed Dera1i.
to consider the letter. Berante stcsa
slowly unfolding it, his glittering evts
fixed on Gen. Heath with an expression
of malignant satisfaction.