Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-06
The Argus Daily Story
Two Knaves of Hearts-By Arnold Horton.
copyrighted. 1918. by Associated Literary Bureau

putternut SulC. She SAID she naun [,
and. riding on, he joined his comrades
Some twenty minutes later. when it
was quite dark without she saw a
face AT the window. 1t was very pale
and wore a frightened look. Moreover
it wss the face OF the young man in
butternut she had met on the road the
morning before
Bob Meriden had got within the Con-
federate lines through q gap in the
pickets. had gone about gathering in
formation, but had excited suspicion.
He had become aware of his danger
and hid himself in a wood from whence
he had seen the men who had suspect
ed him riding rapidly on the road and
felt sure they were after him. Find
ing a picket doing on his post, Bob
effected an exit and. skulking over
wooded ground. had brought up at the
house in question.
The two youngsters held q confer
ence. and Bob told Ella that the Con-
federates had tried to force him to en-
list in their cause. but he had succeed
ed in getting away from them. He did
not dare remain in the house-he would
skulk in the woods-but II the next
morning she would meet him on the
road within range Of the Federal pick
cts he would see what he could do to-
ward getting her through the lines
and sending her north TO her aunt
She thankfully accepted his PROPOSE
ton, and Bob skulked away to hide
from those seeking him.
TN ~. -, H.,
ing that Bob, having passed through 3
cornfield, mounted a fence at a rise in
the ground and looked about him. On
the road he saw walking figure that
he judged to be Ella Carneal. De
scending from his point OF observation,
he made toward her, and she waved
her hand to him. He soon Joined her,
and they walked together toward the
Union picket line.
Bob knew that at that time his COM
mander, who was preparing for a move
ment, was very particular about allow
ing citizens in his camps. So, conclud-
ing that it would be necessary, In or
der to get his protege through and send
her on her way north, that he should
vouch for her, he told her that he
would tell the general that he had
found in her q cousin and instructed
her as to the part she should play.
She was very grateful to him for this,
! though she regretted that the decep-
ton should be necessary. On coming
to the picket Bob asked the officer In
command to inform the general OF his
coming and ask permission to bring
4. v-k..
| officer was directed to bring the two in
| at once.
Bob had gathered Just the informa-
! ton his commander required. Ella re-
manned outside the tent while Bob
| went in and reported. As soon as he
he had done so he informed the general
! of his meeting with his cousin and
asked permission to send her north.
| The general was surprised at the CO.
i, incidence and looked increduous. But
Bob assured MIN that the girl was an
unsophisticated little thing, barely six
! teen, and the commander gave his con-
sent. He suggested, however, that one
of his stan take the girl in charge.
Bob WINGED at this. but was forced to
obey, and babe Goodby to his little cous-
in with regret, promising that as soon
as the war was over he would look
her uQ.
That was the last that Bob saw of
Ella Carneal till the next day, when
he received an order to report in per-
son at general headquarters. What
was his establishment TO find his cousin
there with a soldier on each side Of her.
I'm you two" said the general, ARE
| a pair Of knaves. You go south to do
secret service work for me and bring
back a cousin to do secret service
work for the enemy"
What do you mean. generalP' cried
the astoniShed Bob.
81 suspected your cousin whose sto-
~ was very fimsy. and gave her the
run of our camps. But l set a watch
upon her. She was taking down notes
OF our forces and making sketches of
our defenses when she was interrupted
in her work and brought 10 me-"
you don't mean 1t, general" ex-
claimed Bob.
According to the rules OF war, 1t il
my duty to order a drumhead court
martial and hang her"
Great heavens"
There was an impressive silence
which was broken by the general THE
Information you brought me is very
valuable. What reward do you ask
for getting it,"
Bob took the hint and said eagerly,
II ask pardon for this little girl"
THAT let's me out" replied the gen.
eraL 1T is my duty to hang her. but
since you claim her life as your reward
for a service in which you risked the
death that is due her she is pardoned.
When the information she has acquir-
ed shall have become useless she shall
be permitted to 90 where she likes"
After the war Captain Robert MeFi-
den looked up his cousin" though he
did not go to Harrisburg to find her.
He married her in Virginia. and they
were for years known as the two
spies.
~