Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1903-08-05
The Real
Offender
tOriginal.1

NUN VI tiC StoIL sat WILLING III lIlc ecu
erals private Office. Lieutenant Ralph
Tower, about Hamilton's age-theJ
were both about twenty -fve-entered.
How are you, Ralph" said Hamil
ton. What can l do for your"
II understand you represent the gen
eral in his absence"
II do
Have full power TO give passesT'
Hamilton smiled assent. He was
Washington's right hand man for fa
more important matters than writing
passes.
where do you wish to go?" he asked
ITO Trenton to visit my sweetheart
Marjorie Hastings
what. The daughter of that old
Tory, Humphrey HastingsT'
'The same. The daughter Is heart
and soul with us. One of Howe's stat
rs In love with her, and her father is
trying to force her to marry him. She
has sent me a message that she needs
to see me on matter of great impor.
lance"
"But If you enter the enemy's lines in
civilian clothes and you are caught you
will be hanged for spy"
II will take the risk
"Very we'll. If you insist will give
you permission In the generals name
You might as well be hanged for an
old sheep as lamb, so keep your eyes
and ears open for information of
HOwe's movements"
At 0 o'clock the same night Major
Tarbel of General Howe's staff was
sitting with Marjorie Hastings in her
fathers house at Trenton.
There must be some reason. Mario
rie," he said, that you have not given
me why you decline my offer"
'There is, but cannot give 1t to you
without mourning a risk of my father
knowing it. If it should come to his
ears he would send me to England"
II promise on my honor to hold It
sacred"
"Well, then" replied Marjorie, II am
betrothed to an officer In the Cont
mental army"
With sigh the major arose and, re-
spectfully touching Marjorie's hand
with his lips, was about to withdraw
when both were startled by the sound
of shots without. Marjorie turned pale.
Major Tarbel strobe to the door. AS he
threw it open he saw two orderlies
who were awaiting him standing with
out and between them the figure of a
young man of refined features dressed
In the clothes of a countryman. his coat
being of the coarsest texture and his
hose of common yarn.
"Who are you?" asked Tarbel of the
captive.
Lieutenant Ralph Tower of the Con-
tinental army. am neither spy nor
skulker, but am here at the bidding Of
my betrothed, Marjorie Hastings"
Tarbel looked from one to the other,
then directed his orderlies to remain
without while their prisoner was in
vited to enter, and the door was closed
Marjorie" said the major, II find
myself in position from which
would gladly be free. 1t is my duty to
turn over Lieutenant Tower to be dealt
with by court martial"
During this brief interview Marjorie
had stood pale, her hand on her bosom
to still the violent beating of her heart.
When Tarbel announced his intention
she drew a few convulsive breaths,
preparing for desperate move, then
said:
"Major Tarbel, If you hold Lieuten-
ant Tower he will be hanged for a spy.
He is not the real spy. Yesterday 1
sent him a message to come to me. He
doesn't know what for"
Marjorie" said Ralph, 81 am sure I
know. Your father is about to force
you to marry against your will"
You are wrong, Ralph. Only a few
moments ago | confessed TO Major
Tower that l was your betrothed, and
he was about to leave me, like the gen.
tleman he is, free to act my own pleas
ure. 1t is for another matter | sum-
moned you" She thrust her hand into
her bosom, drew forth a paper and
handed 1t to Tarbel He opened it,
scanned it and saw that 1t contained
eral Howe's army, then looked up at
Marjorie in CONSERVATION.
"Do your duty, Major Tarbel," she
said. II confess that | summoned
Lieutenant Tower without his know
ing my purpose to send this paper by
him to General Washington. l am the
real spy"
Tarbel stood spellbound for few
moments, then began to rapidly think.
Marjorie" he said presently. give
me that paper"
snow" be continued, when she had
handed 1t to him, you must leave our
lines at once. 1t would be criminal In
me to permit you to remain here after
what has occurred"
"And Ralph"
"Upon your confession am not
bound to detain him."
Ten minutes later one Of Major Tar
bells orderlies called a dominic who
lived close at hand. Ralph Tower and
Marjorie Hastings were made one. and
at midnight passed the British lines.
R,N- s-An