Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-11-02

y =
With Crash She Brought the Iron
Skillet Down With All Her Strength.
aside the heavy cupboard, and as the
light swept in, sprang forward into the
rude shed. With another bound, gath
ering her skirts as she ran, she was
up the steps and had burst into the
outer room. A moment later / also
stood in the doorway, gazing upon a
scene that made my blood like fire.
The fighting had evidently ceased
suddenly with her first cry. Maria
stood painting in one corner, the dead
ly skillet again in her hand, her hair
hanging In wisps down her back. Still
unconscious from the blow he had re-
ceived, one fellow lay outstretched on
the floor, his head barely missing the
hot ashes of the fireplace; while his
| companion nursed his bruises and
scowled from q safe refuge behind the
table. The unshaven faces Of several
others of the gang were peering curl
ously In through the open door. 1
know now 1 saw all this, for the
| picture of it is upon the retina of
memory, but at the moment every.
thing appeared to perceive or hear
occurred in the centre of the room.
The man who had posed as the lead,
er stood there alone facing us, his
expression a strange mixture OF
| amazement and delight He was a
| powerfully built man, with keen gray
eyes deeply set in their sockets. His
right hand rested heavily upon the
hilt of cavalry sabre, the scabbs1d
of which was concealed beneath the
folds of the long brown coat he woke.
AS Mrs. Brennan burst through .he
doorway he stepped eagerly forward,
his eyes Frightening, and they met
with clasped hands.
''Is it possible-Edith? he cried. as
l. the recognition could scarcely be
credited.
"Oh, Frank" she exclaimed, eager
ly, ut seems all too good to be true.
How came you here?"
Hunting after you, my fair lady.
Did you suppose you could disappear
as mysteriously as you did last night
without my being early on the trail !!
Have these people injured you In any
way?" And he glanced about him
with threat in his gesture.
oh. no, Frank" hastily; every one
has been most kind. It was a mere
mistake. But how strangely you are
dressed! how very rough you look!"
He laughed, but still retained his
warm clasp of her hands.
Not the pomp and circumstance Of
glorious war which you expected,
girl?" he asked lightly. "But we have
all sorts of conditions to meet down
here, and soon learn in Rome to do as
the Romans do
AS he finished speaking he per-
ceived me for the first time, and his
face changed instantly into cold stern
ness. saw him sweep one hasty
glance around, as though he suspected
that l might not be alone, and his
hand fell once more upon his sword
hilt, In posture suggestive Of readi-
ness for action.
Who have we here" he asked.
staring at me in amazement. "A John
ny Reb?"
Whatever am" retored, my
gorge rising suddenly at his contempt
uous term. and stepping out into the
room before him, Il at least wear the
uniform Of my service and rank, and
not the nondescript uniform of a
guerilla"
The scornful words stung him; l
noticed the quick flush of anger in his
eyes, and was not sorry.
You are insolent, sir. Moreover,
you go too far, for as 1t chances you
are well within our lines, and we will
see to what extent honor is consistent
with the work Of spy. The uniform
OF your service. indeed!" he echoed
hotly, pointing as he spoke across the
room; that cavalry cloak over yonder
tells Its own story. Peters, Steele, ar.
rest this fellow"
frank, don't do that" she urged
earnestly. you mistake; that was
the cloak I wore.'
II he heard her he gave no sign.
Bind him." was the stern order, as
the two men advanced. use your
belts II you have nothing else handy"
Angry as most assuredly was,
swept also by a new emotion which l
did not in the least comprehend, /
yet fully realized the utter helpless
ness of my position in point of re-
sistance. They were twenty to one.
However much l longed to grapple
with him who Knocked me, the very
thought was insanity. NV onlv noe.