The evening world. Newspaper, February 17, 1915, Page 15

larry! marry you?” she faltered “Why, what cam you meas! . ‘II do not understand!” n| “Of course not—the ts wild, impractical, nape Tt must seem 0 to you—yet listen. It is the one way ieft open to save you from Anse Cowan. You can trust me? You do trust ms, do you not?” « “Ye-a—but"— eae Ae ‘PUSHED the man forward Wish to “fd flung him down on the ‘bed, still retaining my grip ~om his collar, There, the * “Not a move, or a sound, one is eer, i the room est to Attempt to betray us, and this. Listen! it will be a form only— Phot Worth the dues of x -1 am not conceited enough to believe hot worth t > you desire me for your busband. ise Harwood. but you know who I am; you have nfidence in my honor, and I offer Jou thle cpportunity to escape from i@ cannot marry if you are. already. my wii La "He—he could kill you.” “Yes, there are enough of them: jose the door and lock it; is there a belt?" ea wtfong iron one, but it seems tage | ; but that might h RX wtepped across, and forced tt int® doupe it would, “for, orermioe T x With, a sharp click.’ TH should fight to the end, 1 do pot Angfant & vivid fash of red Ut think being your husband will add ip whole Iniprior, the light stare Wi ihe ety egaiy,, Cameer and. tt ‘Wthrough the unshaded windows "silt how can Tr Wah et imal” Mndroflecting from the walls. Nichola ‘Noreen, don’t stop to argue, or started up with @ little cry of terror, doubt,” ba greening Ber band eage: a "We a a force? him erniy, Listen to those .volees in the satti ed ths je, Of course it will be legal—Nichols is “out 1 Miss Noreen, 29 ordained minist and nd license s to that nearest window '% required. I shall never attempt _teke,.® glance out—be careful Ly 4 Foods ae and aby court ou. T'll kes © moment you tell Se pees 2° v suere The one, the only thing, friend.’ the story, now, is escape bt est y from Cowan, ‘Is it the etable, Miss Noreen?’ = ‘Zou! do this orto save met” you ti backs sascty Inter the ane apt peices tes tell me yes! There of the men?” arly, except two or three atid forth between the and thé stable. I think there q horses pitketed beyond in the or- non HY am not sure—yes, there are b the, a fanee ; her Hand caught mm; nf 7 —they are coming bac! e house now. __ CHAPTER IX.” : ie r I had 6 mussel my revolver. at hie head” "A heavy foot crashcd against the locked door » and a voice without gave utterance company at:%,,an. oath, larry me to this girl,” I com- pee ~ nen per now, Rot a al oO Noreen, take my band aS bie J prncenerecnrmeemmennerens Third United States Cavalry uni- i. however, recognise bed nded her hand, “and, if you I think I can clear up the Harwood, you know this man’ he isa friend, May J ask bis name?” ‘4 we hoped to find you here. It was to toget! Ullde OP “gréy across the eaate trembled, and once, when shi het was coming; tas sack ots be fev ow the two words uttered were yasenghy She house.again, perhaps SNareeserety was there a stranger fire it en'they had the stable, and then marriage in all the world. The dyii away before the Federal garri- embers of the stable fire shot red gleams of flame over us th w Lepiaburg could reqive the tnshaded windows, giving to Nichole Mtaxmi; I -durned to Noreen and said: @ ghastly look, and glowing on the rT without has convinced steel barrel of the revo) I held dh Unni we are still hidden in the Poleed at his Sead. “ais volce faltered ha and broke, the clotted blood rendered ede-there-any other place bet- hideous one side of his face, while his “thie in’ which ‘to hide” bands shook as if with palsy. All the phpok jor Head. nse | coward in him was mani- ai, then Wwe must fight it out ft Outside dozen voloes roared, above the ot! Mifsthey come; you have your Shouting srdore Once a al ad is already crashed through the upper ‘nities ” the door and broke the gt re ached, the words indis- you fool!” roared a deep ‘ e, bncie ‘was an echo of Volce angrily’ “We don't want any ‘wood, the crash of dishes 4¢24 ones—beat down the door!” h. % by ont" I ordered grimly, and A the thrust the black mussle bard against Nichols’ cheek. The preacher choked, but the usual words of the ritual—eounding almost like mock- ery—dropped mechanically from his eearching she whispered, her voice jooting: it. Do tt They are even tearing the th tongue, $ saomy the fon 1 up. here.” “And now I pronounce you man and ro aid so—but you must Bot wits, and whom God hath joined to- nt? r let not man put aeunde; vent to a little sobbing fed in her throat, and y from mie. I knew that her face was buried in her hands, yet had no time to look that way, or utter Bo afraid only for that Rifle butta were crashing in 1 cannot/ fall into his power. Is of the door; I could per- twill kil myself first! | ,, jo not fate ae dim Gruss fevenied ow, Ange, Cowan, but I do. 3 dagged openings made in Hu, ! ul, 2! I would her the light Rate 5 fa Yes; but what use my arm with both hands. My’ they are ten to one, and de mo chance for us to outwit you think me a fool or a girl—it—it Is not that! I~ © his hands touch me. I gleam of. weapons. aereie him; he {s an incar- . “Hit lower down!” yelled the same ew gruff voice of command, “There is bolt that holds fast—reach in Saun- ra! ‘Get back—beyond the be called, pushing her behind me and f .@nough" of that, Samuels! bracing m if 3 your men up, above. The door A i od pow and don't let @ rat get hinges and. hait tall aief iitied her head: then gu im through the opening forward, carbines gripp in their feat. clinging tp the bedpost. ha: ‘Fi ved light gleamed ghastly gen the glitter of @ pistol in her across ty * and revealed—the ught swept through 4 blue cavalry, » 40 reckless, I CHAPTER X. 8 wildness of t! it might answer; it But would she consent, even ~— Before Lieut. Raymond< EE headlong rush stopped in startled amazement at sight of us; unable td speak ill tereiner loreres, I that ina of pause, ‘er my.dead body: for the . officer thrust the men aside and faced e{eoyld not legally marry ™¢, Sword in hand. (ap once my wife! “What does this mean, sir? Who nie ma Te Thunder #f@ You?” he questioned, sweeping ‘again, it possible that my hls glance aver my uniform and then r save me—the troops beyond me at the others, Fj Pee et ne villain ao “2 would ask the same question,” I ‘was a chance—a desperate, returned, not yet assured as to who I and no mare! ‘But confronted, and suspecting some trick. a) 13 ar thes “We belieyed ourselves attacked by ‘Only: the gir) Sverrillas. Are you soldiers?” “Well, rather,” with short, grim laugh, “These are Pennsylvania gavalrymen, My name is Raymond, & ¥ Rid Saath ¥ . ang—and he is her Tel me-—tell me what to do strange voice roared out 4 - P asetaingly trom the very fogt © m Cowan. He seuld only vista of faces, @ to rescue you we came—at least it was that Nege. Wale Wea Oe to zee accom- carel been hi in “You wish to speak to me alone?” ly; but I certainly privacy than this, You thie was the nearest shelter to be nal motive this youn; ie Bouse de- Wrest Pointer to Getarmiee my guint reaching to the lieutenant's shoulder. Miss Noreen greeted him with a wel- coming smile, and he stepped gallant- ly forward, bending low as be accept- ed her hand. “Bo pleased, so delighted, Miss Harwood, to find you nd We were, indeed, the thought of your being he exclaimed, a slight lisp in his voice. “You bave not suffered, I trust?” “Not seriously, Capt. Whitlock; the guerrillas were outwitted”— “Ah! do not attempt to explain, I beg. We understand what you have passed through, as we have captured byl of the villains. You sent for me, ” be done with pointing a finger at me. wood vouches for him, but I fail to understand how he comes to be in the uniform of my regiment.” The captain fitted a pair of glasses is eyes and surveyed me with care. ‘Why, bless me, so he is,” he ejaculated, “and you never saw him before?” io, and there is not another Third ‘avalry man wi of the Alle- ‘The girl laughed, and laid her hand on Whitloc! arm. “I told Lieut. Raymond that I would explain fully,” she said, pretending to be amused. jut I failed to under- stand then what it was which had so aroused his suspicion. So it is the uniform my friend wears?” Raymond did not answer, but the Captain bowed respectfully. ‘As to that I must assume all ponsibilitity,” she went on quietly, I furnished it." shanies.” ‘Why should you ha mry @ uniform of the Third red sweetly, ‘That uni- an of- but looking form belonged ficer of the Third Kentucky.’ Raymond uttered a smothered ex- Pression, stared instant at her @lightly averted face, and th with one stride forward, swung me to the light. ‘See here, Capt. Whitlock,” he ex- claimed -indignantly. "I cannot con- celve what object Miss Harwood may have in desiring to protect this man, but this ts not the uniform of any volunteer regiment.” “Do I understand, Lieutenant, that you dare question my word?” ashe her eyes = gazing proudly, em unaccus- asked at jt into his, inne a So euch trentepent.”” * ~ pe ae 1 mover thaught to an” lessly. “TI was too glad to ‘We—we spoke days together, at! 1 gat! the impression that Mr. ‘Wyatt never joined either side, and was merely here to look after bis property. ‘Of course he cam explain all “But how came he to be dreased in that'uniform?” burst in Raymond. “Will you be courteous permit me to. tel] you? I deavored twice already to fully me here in 9 protect! of our child night. He bed found his own home destroyed, and ‘until mornin, here you gentlemen both aoe, S08 matter juires no explanation. ur, arrived with Loe eyed muddy, and soaked with rain. I fave him the only change to be found in the house—a uniform belonging origt- nally to a cousin of mine, ut Anton Harwood, Third Kentucky “But this is not the uniform worm by volunteer troops. Captain Whit- Jock, | insist”—— “Really, Lieutenant Raymond,” the said, fronting him, her eyes "this is becoming most ‘What do I care what uni- form it is! I have told you where it came from, how it chanced to there, and the reason it was worn by this man. I cannot be expected to know all the petty distinctions of the servi “But surely,” spoke up the captain, plainly bewildered, “the suit he wore when he came and be produced. Yeu know where that ia?” “I know where it was,” she an- swered, coolly. “Hanging before the fireplace in the dining room. soda er I cannot guarantee that it re- mains there now—this house has been gutted by Cowan's guerillas, and, from the sound, your own men were none too careful.” Whitlock fiddled with the tassel of his sword, srideaty far from satiafied himself, yet unwilling to make final decision unaided, * know just what to do, he confessed, reluctantly, “Ordi- narily, you know, @ lady's word would be sufficient, but somehow, I—t— wol, this looks just @ little queer. What do you think, Lieutenant?” “That the fellow ought to be taken uM lawes, and made to ex- iain what purpose brought him . Hullo! here seems to be yet another specimen we have overlooked. rou?” Sheek tiresome. are y Nichols shuffled forward, woebegone and miserable, his disfigured, sneak and coward written all over him. His ities ee met mine, and he mi have in my ge a threat he dare not ignore. ice his mouth opened and closed before he could make words issue. “One of Cowan's gang?” “God be praised—no, Made to serve that human fiend by force. Iam @ inister of the Od I presume you are also ac- uainted with this fellow?” ques- tloned Raymond impatiently, “I have no knowl of the young mi Nichols asse: solemnly, “bi I know the old Judge, his father, ‘The resemblance is strong, and I have no doubt but is a son. The father was a Chria and @ gentleman.” “And a A T presume?” “Judge yatt died before the breaking oit of the war, sir, but was bid Me 4, ie ite these ase ni ‘ell, we cannot reniain here lacie, Tcl il a il Bes t. hall, and ou haven't opened memory of the iog his name. ee what Jeutenant hal We were still leo! each other's syes, and it to occur to me that bis evident 1 must have some other basie than ion that I mises dea pt Did it a decause paren words of defense? Could there a ently at a way, a low tone :! 3 ir herd answer: rm ¢ ‘Certainly, Corporal, have him come up at once.” ‘The soldier disa| ia the eald back across th head to whisper something privately into Whitlock’s ear. Then & man cam hastily into a Yoom SSONED ae opened door. ly, heart leape: my throat at sight of him—he was Capt. Foz. > CHAPTER Xi. A Prisoner. . HE captain was hatiess, and a bloody handkerchief was ‘wound about his head; his ‘uniform was torn and black with mud, He saw Whit- lock first, and gripped bis hand warmly, his glance straying from the face of the little captain to the other occupants of the room. “Gad, but it is good to eve a blue uniform again,” he exclaimed heart- lly. “What was the row here, Fred-— some guerilia work? Ah, by Jove!” his eyes brightening as he recog- nised me. “Raymond, I am glad to ace you again,” and he strode for. ward, his lips emiling, his hand beld out. “Old Ned swore to me you were dead, but the sergeant said you got away at the first rush. Not even @ ecratch—hey”— “Just @ moment, please,” and the interested Meutenant interrupted him ‘by a hand on the ehoulder. “I be- lieve we have never met I presume you are Capt. Fox?” latter turned, a trifie indignant the other's manner. us ‘Wyatt, but you address btm ag Raymond. What Raymond @id_ he represent himself to be?” “Why, Lieutenant Charles H. Rey- mond, Third Cavalry, on recruiting service, I—I met him at Hot Springs, and he showed me his papers. "t= ion't he all right?” “Well, you can draw your own con- clusion,” returned the lieutenant, his thin lips curied in a sneer, “for Raymond, Third Cavairy, This man a hy “I ox 8 up, gentlemen,’ T acknow) quietly, determined they should get as Uttle comfort out of me as possible, “I know when I haye played my. card.” Wyatt?" ids your name ‘It iss y ou im the 4 Harwood—she you, as she said, by that name? “She did; I was born in this coun- try, and we were children together. If ashe has attempted to protect me from arrest, It has been because of no dis- loyalty, but a, womanly desire to ae- alet an old friend.” face to =r the ind eager! rorkine cp come pide hice serseed te eve the st man, es Teallee the sone mies was far from eatisfied, °° sly glancing from she stood, white-lf| and allent. ‘it a is nothing else tween yout” he asked roughly. “Do you I mean to say sho told that story of her cousin's uniform mérely because ba J girlhood friendship?” am unable to day, sir.” "| hardly think, tenant,” broke in Whitlock, suddenly realising his authority, “it Is necessary to ask such questions now. The man confesses himself a spy, and » court martial will probe into this matter. We must re- ember the young lady ts the daugh- f Major Harwood,” nd as Major Harwood’s jhe sald gravely, standi: me, “I desire to be heard ewer this gentleman's question, I sought to save Sorgt. Wyatt because of our early friendship, apd also be- cause of the special service has to an- nothing of his purpose here, but— but I hold him friend, whatever may be his uniform.” The Heutenant bowed, hat in hand. “I intended no criticlam of ie motives, but a soldier must perform his doty. Under w' ordere are you here, Wyatt?” \ “Thoae of Gen. Jackson, \sir.” “Ah! The old fox is casting his A] thie way for his new campaign, hat were your ordera?” “I refuse to ana’ “No? Well, Kamsay will get @ re- ply out of out ‘I hardly think #o, sir. You hang spies, but do not torture them.” . 0e« «© 8 © *@ A Uttle later we rode into Lewis- burg and I was locked.in a cell Ives on which had once repored t recorda of Green Briar County. wall behind, My heart gave a sudden le haps, after all, Fate had wholly unkind; at least I had another catd left to play, and need not re. main hopelessly ‘staring about at those bare, solld walls, As @ boy I had played about this building, vading every nook and cornel uld even recall when those shelve id first installed, and I had sat hat almost where I was sitting then, and watched the workmen bolt them into their present position, back to me that those shelves inst the big chimney, and opening leading into it, they had nailed a tin they fastened the there w: across which rotector befor iron to the wi If I could once get in behind the fron plate the way out would not be such a hard or dificult one to travel. The chimney was large; I recalled standing upright in the fireplace on the third floor above and looking up to where 1 could perceive the light of the sky. It was const of irreg- ular bits of stone, which would afford ent for the feet and grip for the hands in climbing—no eaay job, of course, but not tnpossible for one reckless enough to @& the attempt. But how could I hope to pry loose that protecting sheet of iron? Where cauld I discover a tool to give me the hte sary leverage to dislodge thone It might prove strong enough for the purpose. I stepped hastily across and tested two them with my hands, but found both thése firm and immovable. ‘ould one of those supports fr’ m be unscrewed or twisted off? If so, it present and any {1 his immed! uu jarantes me rea “That would be faust Sores r in ed me during the past night. I mee Fain. purs at the our queations, sir. ‘ . "You will die’ the, death ot spy: "Chat is ax God Wills air; the threat on requested jax. services... Even cont of ite T wil or haa no effect upon me. Fox gripped my arm, and 1 glanced at him, I was aul to mist of tears in bis att,” he exclaimed, retense at em “@o asty in your ision. I would any act of Sere iy hue compromise rel T not only ask you to ir the situation from your own staad- point, but also from ours. I accom; panied Col. Pickney in the bope f might bave some influence.” He hesitated an instant, as @ doubtful of his words. “Perhaps should aay, my boy, another urged me to come,” ‘Another? “Yes—@ lady.” My head swam, like @ triphamme -—do you mean, Capt. Fi she actually asked you to save myself by such an aot Wyatt; fhe re- my heart beating that me not that. T quested me to accompany Col Pick-+ ney, and do all I could on your be- alt.” I drew a long breath of relief, my mind clearing, my resolve strength- ened, She did care then! God & 1 was glad; and she had not urged me to an act of dishoaor, dt knew, I understood—she wished me to realize that she w seage taken from me and I was fearful want me to decide right, for it wes not in the character of Noreen Har- ‘wood to compromise with duty—bet- ter die @ death of disgrace than to soorn in her eyes. Hive, and read My feare lightened and my “I thank you for your message, Capt. Fox,” I said sincerely, clasping his hang “Tell her how glad it made me. ot change my de- elsion; § will answer no questions.” “this is your final reply, Ber- ant? The Colonelie voice had urdened; hia eyes had lost their ndliness, is, oir.” ‘ery well, then; there is nothing more for us to accomplish here, Fox. I think, young map, you will come to your senses too late, Good day, sir.” The door opened to the rap of his knuckles, and the two men passed a out, neither one glancing back at me. question, and I ‘pocket, and a aaa fo one have on my her “On! Harw. she write my ‘of my death-e beat. He took an envelope from: Fi pencil, © “How should such a lett dressed na. ise ft shall be é aie al you 1 alnce: wish, wai we had under pleasanter . ia &-ead ending to what might been a jasting friendship; I have learned to like you, my - © “And I you, Capt. Fox,” I earnestly, feeling deeply bie - liness. ‘When Fox had gone, an captain came to inspect me, at from all sides, tak! my appearance. Then he It was already quite di cell, but outside the grated a campfire burned, and the found way through the rendered the interior visible. now strength and courage to one chance left. CHAPTER Xil. The One Path of Becape. PA HERE was absolutely noth- ing for me to do but wait, but it wae hard to judge time, My watch hed been Lest I choose @ wrong hour for plott. out was some guide, however, the evening lengthened a ban: playing overhead and I could the sound of feet on the floor above, Evidently a dance was in fn the big court room and for moment my heart scemed to stop Deating in a sudden fear that my into this room through’ which I hed hoped to emerge, but I could never accomplish such hope amid those dancers, And they might heap 1-4 their dancing to eo late * hour ra me Ro opportunity io find @ place in which to @earch. Yet the noise was i