Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-09-29

ductor down some narrow and steep
stairs until we stood upon the cement
ed floor Of the basement. Here q
heavy door in the stone division wall
was opened; was pushed forward
into the dense darkness within, and
the lock clicked duly behind me-
So thick was the wall I could not
even distinguish the retreating steps
OF the TALLER.
Tired as was from the intense
strain of the past thirty-six hours,
even my anxious thoughts were insult
ficient to keep me awake. Feeling
my way cautiously along the wall,
came at last to wide wooden bench,
and stretching my form at full length
upon 1t, pillowed my head on one
arm, and almost instantly was sound
asleep.
When awoke. sore from my hard
bed and stiffened by the uncom-
Portable position In which l lay, it
was broad daylight. That the morn
ing was, indeed, well advanced I
knew from the single ray Of sunlight
which streamed In through grated
window high up in the wall opposite
me and fell like a bar Of gold across
the rough stone floor. was alone.
Even In the dark Of the previous night
I had discovered the sole pretence to
furniture in the place The room itself
proved to be- large and almost
square apartment, probably during the
N$ m q a.
ceptacle for wood or garden produce,
but now peculiarly we'll adapted to
the safeguarding Of prisoners.
The solid stcne walls were Of SUI
ficient height to afford no chance of
reaching the great oak girders that
supported the floor above, even had
the doing 90 offered favorable open
ing for escape. There were. apparent
ly, but three openings Of any kind
the outside window through which
the sunlight streamed, protected by
thick bars Of iron; second opening,
quite narrow. and likewise protected
by heavy metal grating; and the
tightly locked door by means Of which
I had entered. The second, con-
cluded. after inspecting it closely. was
. mere air passage leading into some
other division Of the cellar. noted
these openings idly. and with scarce
" Q thought a. to the possibility OF
escape. I had awakened with strange
indifference as to what my fate might
be. Such feeling was not natural
to me. but the fierce emotions Of the
,>vonoA}n~ ,i0h< hsA aoos,,i ~ DIV rohhoA
me Of all my usual buoyancy Of hope.
II ono sense I yet trusted that Mrs.
Brennan would keep her pledge and
tell her story to Sheridan; even II she
failed to do this. and left me to face
the rifles or the rope, then 1t made
but smau odds how soon 1t should be
over. II she cared for me in tho
slightest degree she would not let me
die unjustly, and to my mind then
she had become the centre Of all life.
Dependency Is largely a matter Of
physical condition. and I was still
sufficiently tagged to be in the depths,
when the door opened suddenly, and
an ordinary army ration was placed
within. The soldier who brought it
did not speak. nor did attempt to
address him; but after he retired, the
appetizing smell Of the bacon, together
With the unmistakable flavor Of real
coffee, drew me irresistibly that way,
and made hearty meal. The food
put new life into me. and I fell to
pacing back and forth between the
corners Of the cell, my mind full Of
o,,o ionluo vof Nth a %vooh ~ "a o,,~>
Of confidence that all would still be
well.
Twas yet at It when. without warn
inG. the door once again opened, and
Lieutenant Cation entered. He ad-
vancsd toward me with outstretched
hand, which grasped warmly, for
felt how much depended on his friend
ship. and resolved to ask him some
questions which should solve my last
remaining doubts.
Captain Wayne" he began soberly.
looking about him, you are in even
worse stress here than supposed,
but I shall see to it that you are
furnished with blankets oefore leave.
Sheridan is hasty himself, and his
temper often leads him to rash
language. am sure he bears you no
malice for what you said. But Bren-
nan has his ear, and has whispered
something to him in confidence
what, I have been unable to ascertain
which has convinced him that you
are deserving Of death under martial
law"
without trial?"
"The opportunity Of furnishing the
Information desired will be again Of
fered you; but, rs near as can learn,
the charge preferred against you u Of
such private nature that 1t Is deemed
best not to make it matter for camp
talk. Whatever 1t may be. Sheridan
evidently feels justified in taking the
case out from the usual channels, and
in using most drastic measures. I
am sorry to bring you such news.
especially as I believe tho charges
are largely concocted in the brain Of
him who makes them, and have but
the thipnest circumstantial evidence
to sustain them. Yet Sheridan Is
thoroughly convinced. and will brook
no interference. The discussion Of the
case has already led to his using ex-
tremely harsh words to his chief Of
staff"
Il am to be shot, then!"