Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-25
DAILY SHORT STORY
The Real Offender.
[Original.l

In Il house now set apart for Revolu-
tionary relics. Colonel Alexander Ham,
ilton OF the staff sat writing in the gen
erals private office. Lieutenant Ralph
Tower, about Hamilton's age-they
were both about twenty fve-entered.
How are you. Ralph?" said Hamil-
ton. What can do for your
II understand you represent the gem
eral In his ABSENCE
Il do"
"Have full power To give passesT'
Hamilton smiled assent. He was
Washngtons right hand man for far
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 Hastings?"
1.-THE same. The daughter is heart
and soul with us. One of Howe's staff
is I'm 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 a matter of great impOr-
lance"
l
civilian clothes and you are caught you
will be hanged for spy
Il will take the risk
Very well. If you insist l 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 8 o'clock the same night Major
Tarbel OF General Hewe'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 l cannot give it to you
without mourning Il risk of my father
knowing it. If 1t should come to his
ears he would send me to England"
Il promise on my honor to hold 1t
sacred
well, then" replied Marjorie, Il am
betrothed to an officer In the Cont
mental army"
With Il sigh the major arose and, re-
specially touching Marjorie's hand
with his lips, was about to withdraw
when both We're 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
young man of refined features dressed
I'm the clothes of 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. l 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, Il find
myself in a position from which l
would gladly be free. 1t is my duty 10
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 a desperate move, then
said:
Major Tarbel. If you hold Lieuten-
ant Tower he will be hanged for n spy.
He is not the real spy. Yesterday 1
sent him n message to come to me. He
doesn't know what for"
Marjorie" said Ralph, 81 am sure
know. Your father is about to force
you to marry against your will"
You are wrong, Ralph. Only few
moments ago l confessed to Major
Tower that I 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 l sum-
mOned you" She thrust her hand into
her bosom, drew forth paper and
handed it to Tarbcl. He opened 1t,
scanned it and saw that 1t contained
important information concerning Gen
eral Howe's army, then looked up at
Marjorie in CONSERVATION.
"Do your duty, Major Tarbel." she
said. Il confess that 1 summoned
Lieutenant Tower without his know
ing my purpose to send this paper by
him to General Washington. 1 am the
real spy.
Tarbel stood spellbound for a few
moments, then began to rapidly think.
Marjorie" he said presently, give
me that paper"
"Now," he continued, when she had
handed it 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
ut midnight passed the British lines.
che next morning they stepped into
Colonel Hamiltons Office.