The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-11-23

I Saw No other signs Of Human oo-
cupsncy
dered since how ever succeeded In
squeezing my body through that mar
row opening into the empty fireplace
without at least knocking over some
thing during the difficult passage. But
| did manage, working my way down
slowly, creeping inch by inch like a
snake carefully testing each object
touched in the darkness for fear Of its
proving loose, until finally lay
stretched at full length upon what
was evidently, from its feeling, a
carpet of unusually fine texture.
The room proved to be an inner one
and unlighted. a bedchamber, as I
/ soon determined, for my outstretched
hands encountered the posts of a bed.
! Then slight gust of air partially
swept aside a hanging curtain, which
rustled like silk and caught a brief
glimpse of the adjacent parlor. II was
! likewise unillumined but the door
leading into the front hall stood ajar
and through that opening there
poured a stream of radiance, together
with the incessant hum of many voices
in animated conversation, the deep
blare of the band with the ceaseless
movement Of dancing feet.
Satisfying myself by sense Of touch
that the bed was unoccupled, for /
was far too experienced a soldier to
leave an enemy In my rear, | crept
cautiously forward to the intercepting
curtain. and drawing it aside took
careful survey OF the outer apartment.
1t was a large and handsomely fur
nished room, polished mahogany
writing-table Uttered with papers oc-
cupying a prominent position against
the farther wall. swivel chair
stood beside it, and across its back
hung what appeared to be suit OF
clothing. | saw no other signs OF hui
man occupancy
Convinced that the apartment was
deserted. and discovering no different
means OF egress, crossed the room on
tiptoe. and peered cautiously out into
the hall. II was not pleasing pros
pect to one in my predicament The
lower portion, Judging from the in
cessant hum of voices, was filled with
people, who were either unable to
find place within the crowded ball
room, or else preferred greater retire
ment for conversation. Even the wide
stairway had been partially pre-
empted, a young lieutenant, as !
judged from his shoulder-straps, sit
ting Just beneath the landing, whis-
pered eagerly into the attentive ear
of a pronounced blonde who shared
the broad oarpeted step with him.
| drew back noiselessly, to figure
out the situation and determine what
was best for me to attempt. It would
be sheer madness TO venture upon a
passage to the front door chad as
was In travekworn gray uniform; to
rush through that jam was impossible
II we're to wait until the dance was
concluded the later hours OF the night
might indeed yield me somewhat
clearer passage, yet 1t was hardly
probable that the house, used as
knew 1t to be for a military prison,
would be left unguarded. Besides,
such delay must absolutely prevent
my getting beyond the Federal picket
lines before daybreak, and would
hence render valueless the news
sought to bear to Lee,
I moved to the only window and
glanced out; It opened upon the back
Of the house and presented a sheer
drop to the ground. At the slight
noise OF the moving sash a sentry
standing at the corner glanced up
suspiciously, Evidently each side of
the great building was abundantly pro-
tected by patrols.
Something had TO be attempted, and
at once, The room ! was in bore un-
questionable evidence OF recent occu.
pancy, and at any moment might be
re-entered. My searching eyes fell
upon the articles OF clothing carelessly
folded over the chair-back picked
, up the garments one by one and took
! them out; they composed the new uni
form of a colonel OF artillery, and
we're resplendent with bright red fac
, ings and a profusion Of gold braid
With all my soul loathed the thought
, of disguise, and especially the hated
uniform of the enemy. 1t was re
pugnant to every instinyt of my being
! and would certainly mean added
degradation and danger In the even
J of capture.
4 Yet / saw no other way. Sheridan
Brennan, Cation, the three who woulC
I certainly recognize me on sight. wal
assured were absent, although the!
might return at any moment. Th'
greater reason for haste, the less ex
cuse for delay. But II should chanc'
to run foul Of the rightful owner o
I the garments amid that crush below
/ and he should recognize them wha
r then? | stood close beside the writ
I ing-table as | revolved these consid
; erations rapidly In mind, and my ey