Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-13
RANDALLRAR


sheet-iron pan silently to the floor.
Room nough we're fer two men ter
oncet, chuckled my companion, in rare
Delight =" The chief in silence strobe be-
fore. Yere goes''
His weight left my shoulders: there was
sHgnt scramble, another shower of dirt,
then the sound of his voice once more.
LIT up yer hans, cap; dig in yer toes
on ther stones an we'll begin our vi'ge."
ne grasped my wrists with a strength
wmch mad no conception the little fell
low possessed. There was a moment 8
GREATNESS struggle, and squirmed through
the opening. and lay painting on the fiat
siaps which composed the foot of the
great funnel To afford me more room
Bungay mad gone up little, finding foot
iodsment upon the uneven stones of which
the chimney was constructed. For mo-
iaent we rested thus motionless. both
rFeathlng heavily and listening to the mu-
sic and shuffling Of feet now almost upon
level with our heads
Inc noise which was, strong and contin-
uous, rendered discovery from any mis-
step hlghly improbable, and delay was
dangerous neither of us was disposed to
linger long
BE we all ready, cap?" questioned Bum
gay, bending his head down. Fer If we be,
I'm goin up
"AH right I answered, struggling to my
knees in the narrow space: only take it
SLOW, Jed. I'm a trif1e bigger man than
YOU and this is rather close quarters
wal, yes, maybe matter of poun' er
two he retorted, and the next moment
/ couio near him scraping his way upward
Keeling for foothold upon the irregular lay
ers OF stone. followed, pressing my knees
firmly against the rough wall, and trusting
more TO my hands than feet for security
against railing. There was evidently a fire.
place OF some kind on the first floor with
considerable opening leading from it into
the chimney we were scaling, for as JED
slowly passed, / could perceive sudden
O. rno yrn{p 10 70
from the glare of lamps within. He glanced
anx1ously that way, but did not pause in
his steady climb upward.
A moment later I came opposite that
same beam of radiance, and cautiously
peered down the sloped opening that led to
the disused fireplace. All 1 could perceive
was a pair of legs. evidently those OF
cavalry officer, judging from the broad yell
low stripe down the seam of the light-blue
trousers, and the high boots ornamented
with rowel spurs. He stood leaning care
1essly against the mantel, talking with
some one just beyond the range of my
vision.
At that moment the music ceased sudden
ly, and afraid to proceed until it should
strike up again. l braced myself securely
on projecting stone and bent by head
over the orifice until I could catch a por
ton of the conversation being carried on by
my unconscious neighbors.
No" said the cavalryman, gruffiy, and
apparently in reply to some previous ques-
tlOn, 'tne Fellow was most ueVlllSn ODStl-
nate; wouldn't tell the first thing: even
threat of treating him as spy and hang
ing him outright proved of no avail. But
Sheridan's theory is that Lee has ordered
Longstreet to hit our rear, while he makes
a direct attack in front. That's why the
old man proposes TO get in his work first,
and we march at daylight to form connec-
ton with Hancock. BY Jove, Chesley, but
that woman in black over there with Fol-
lansbee Is the handsomest picture I've seen
kle, and how pretttly the light CLEANS in
her hair. Who is she, do you chance to
know"
yes" lisped the sother languidly, met
her at breakfast, headquarters. this morn
ing. Deuced pretty and all that mighty
good style. too, but taken, old man. SEES
Brennans."
what! not Major Brennan?' in surprise.
''Why, he's always posed as a bachelor
among our fellows - -
Don't know anything about that, dear
boy" indifferently. but the lady came in
with him yesterday, was introduced to the
ed her Edith. Deuced nice name. Edith.
AS Brennan has shown such poor taste as
to be absent tonight, I'm inclined to
give little of my time to his lady Far
and away the prettiest thing here"
Just at this moment 1 heard Bungay
speaking to me agonizingly down the Chin
ney:
"Durn it all, cap, Twelve got ter
There was a smothered struggle in the
darkness above me. then muffied explo-
sion that showered me with SCOT, ana
sounded to my startled nerves like the re-
port of a gun. / drew up my legs hastily,
and had barely done so when heavily
whiskered face peered up at me
through the open fireplace. 1t APP
reared so close I had no doubt
he saw me- but his eyes were unable to
penetrate the darkness
Sounded devilishly like a sneeze," he
said, suspiciously, as he Strengthened up
again Must have been wind in the
chimney"
More likely bats" returned the other.
"Well SO long Somers; see you in the
morning. I'm going to give the fair Edith
a whirl''
The cavalry legs shifted their position;
the band resumed its functions. and in the
renewed activity and noise l began again
the toilsome climb. my mind now be-
wildered chaos between my plain duty to
Lee and my nearly uncomfortable desire
to meet once more the woman VINO was
dancing in the room below.
The little mountaineer, as active as
cat, and not especially hampered by lack
of room in which to work. was we'll above
me by this time. The chimney. acting as
a tube. brought down to me from time to
time the slight noise of his climbing, va
ried by an occasional exclamation or COM
ment, but I could perceive no other evil
dence of his presence. Above, all was black
''IJoIy smokeu he calculated. probably
unaware that he was giving utterance to
his thoughts. THAT was a sharp rock!
Durn If thar's inch O. skin left on my
knee Whut Is it Scott SEES? AN broken
arms and disarray marked the fell havoc
of the day Gee! If Marian cud only see
me now, maybe she wouldn't be proud
Sweet Maria, dear my life must be
Since It Is worthy care from thee;
Yet life / hold but idle breath
When love or hOnors weighed with DEATH
cough, stop tibet. who's got hold o. my
fut?''
Hush your racket you little fool"
said angrly DO you want the whole
Yankee army to trap us here like rats?
/ cannot get up this chimney any farther;
it is growing too small to permit my body
to pass. -
Els tibet So Cap?n he asked anxiously.
'.Whut be We goin' ter dew bout it?'
made no answer for moment; I was
groping about in the darkness Of our mar
row quarters to see IL l could determine
exactly where we were.
How high is this house, Jed. do you
know"
.Three stories an attic"
How far up are we?'
bout halfway long Their third story.
1 reckon; must be tist below whar We are
thet 1 stuck my tut down an openin'.
Reckon t was mother fireplace, like tibet
one on Their first fure."
I lowered myself silently, and felt along