Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-04-04
DAILY SHORT STORY
A QUESTION OF HONOR.

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[Originall
Gentlemen of the signal corps" said
the general, I'VE are cut Off. General
y: Is twenty miles south OF us, but he
does not know of our Situation and
cannot hear our guns for that inter
vening rise of ground yonder. The
enemy are preparing TO attack us. Our
only hope of communicating with Cen
eral L. Is through ruse. | desire one
of you to attempt to signal him from
that knoll In the center of the ridge by
heliograph. He is too far off for other
means to attract his attention. The
messenger is to carry a white flag, rid
ing obliquely toward the enemy in
token of surrender, at the same time
making his way still farther toward
the knoll. When he deems best he is
to turn at an angle and ride over the
open space to that ravine ut the foot
of the knoll, where he will be under
cover to the crest. He will have one
chance in twenty to get through. L
cannot order any man on such duty.
Go and settle it among yourselves VINO
shall make the attempt"
Dawn had broken. but it would be
yet several hours before the sun would
be high enough for signaling. Some
one proposed that to foreStall suspense
we play a game of freeze out poker
to pass the time and decide who should
be sacrificed. The proposition was ac-
cepted by all-there We're ten of US
a worn pack of cards was produced.
hundred beans given to each and the
game began.
1 was the first man to win immunity.
In an hour seven more had won their
hundred beans and left two TO decide
which was TO make the attempt. 1t
happened that these two were bosom
friends. Platt and Milford. 1t was
sooA noticed that they We're playing
into each others hands. Each refused
to bet on good hand, each would pass
out on poor one. We did not IKE
this. and one of our number. an in
veterate gambler, having set of dice,
we insisted on substituting them for
the cards. thus making it purely a
game of luck.
Milford was at first behind in the
score. but toward the end Platt caught
I'D with him. Then when PlaH had but
ten points to win Milford threw dou-
bic SKIES, and the duty TO be performed
fell to Plat. Minford's brow lowered.
but he said nothing. Plat took his
friends hand and pressed it.
The general ordered the messenger
to start at 9 o'clock. \ few minutes
before 0 he was ready and received his
final instructions The sky was clear.
and the messenger had such apparatus
as he could carry to reflect Che sun.
He was about to mount when one Of
our corps cried:
Look
Following the direction of his eyes
to the southwark, one saw from be-
hind the line of timber u horseman
ride out into the open with white
flag.
gerly
''Minfordr" cried one Of the corps
who had raised a glass.
Platt was sitting on his horse ready
to start. shall never forget the eX-
preston on his face. He had been
tricked in this game of sacrifice which
he had Won. he was about. to put
spurs to his horse when the general
seized his bride.
wait"
I raised a glass and distinctly saw
Milford riding obAquely toward the
enemy He rode within 800 yards of
the advance line, then, suddenly
throwing down the flag. whiried to the
right. and his horse seemed to skim
the surface like a swallow. Milford