The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-01-25

xIX.--CoNrIvrs

ii GSVPyaishs 1oSo, ny ~. Lpplncot Col
NJ AIX.-CoNTIwrsL
Harola Beach had been induced bv !
A~confederate officer mucn older than
himself TO go with him n disguiseinto
b union lines at Knoxville for the
purpose of making asdrawing of the.
defenses. Having completed the work,
the officer shifted the plan from him
self to Harold, both succeeded separ-
.sately in leaving Knoxville, and Harold,
resuming his uniform; was making his
way southwark when he was takenill.
Being near home, he sought refuge
Wlth@hls mother and sisters, reaching
the plantation but a few minutes before
US the day.we first met Margaret. The
8flrst knowledge she had of his presence
was seeing his face at the window.
Hearing a searching party coming
up the stairs, Harold escaped through
the trap, climbed down a brick Chin
ney, and, lodging between rooms be-
low, easily avoided searchers who had
not his intimate knowledge of the
house. That night Margaret per-
suaded Harold to permither to burn the
plan, which, if discovered on him,
Wouldprove him a spy. She had gone to
the kitchen to put it in the stove when
1 caught her. Learning that the Of
fcer who had made the drawing was
in the neighborhood in command of a.
confederate force, she eagerly accepted
my proposition OF a parole and at nce
Went 10 inform him OF her brothers
ana ner own peril, an act which did
not ulreelly involve the breaking other
promise. l interrupted Margaret's
narrative at his point to exclaim:
Maj. Bernal Berante?"
eyes"
Bernate made magnificent promises
which he never performed. GEORGIA
conceived the idea Of putting on Far
old's uniform and copfessinn that, she
was the real culprit. She h,d donned
the uniform and taken down her hair
to cut it off when T saw her at the win
dow. Margaret, entering the room at
the moment, stopped the sacrifice.
Meanwhile the general, kent such
strict guard about. the house that Har-
old, though his sister watched every
opportunity. was 7,nabla f. make an
escape. Margaret steadfastlv main
tanned her secret and Stood between
him and death Then fol1o1vad ber
trial. orr ~exnedi+ion "a +be ave ond
the subsequent events
The n]nrovelino of +b;s mvs+erv wv, ,,
a. GREAT; rel;af +o mo +1o,1nh T ,n.e
OBLIGED ia confess f. mvself that tba
dancer +hreaten;no +bis nnfort1n,+e
family was not q Whit 1essened Inv tho
newly ACQUIRED El.noyv1edoe T b.d coma
to consult with Marearef, hit there was
something in the person of Georgia.
delicate oval face, LIQUID black ewes,
and above all a. confdino. honcfnl smile
with which she greeted me-that drove
planning out of nv head. Margaret
soon perceived that if the object for
which I had come was to be accom-
plished she must withdraw my atten-
ton from her sister. a
.What do YOU propose? ' she asked.
"sWhat do you suggest?" I replied.
sNith Harold penned up in this house
! we can do nothing. Were he safely
AWAY, I might make a clean breast of
the matter TO the general, as I have to
YOU. But no; it would appear hat I
was inventing a story about Harold
that there was no such person, or if
there were, that I was using him to
bear my burden"
"But T."
'Would not be believed either"
"Your mother and ~sistcr?"
"Are too near to me; their evidence
would not count"
"Is there no other?"
ssYes, one, but he could not be
reached"
"Maj. Berante?"
"Maj. Berante."
SIN q matter of life and death he
might be brought in under flag of
truce"
ITO contestant he has been a spy?"
"Certainly, if protected by the flag"
Margaret thoughta moment and then
said: "But all this is useless talk, for
Harold is here and cannot get away"
HE must getaway!"I exclaimed, for
getting caution in my intensity, and
speaking aloud. Margaret clapped her
hand over my mouth, and knew 1 had
blundered.
We heard the sentry come and stand
by the door, evidently listening. I
seized a hand OF each girl and we stood
mute, waiting, our eyes fixed in terror
on Harold. If the sentry opened the
door, he was lost. The man listened a
few minutes, then stepped to the head
If the stairway.
corporal of the guard!" he called.
"Corporal of the guard!" sounded an