The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-11-04

leave an enemy In my rear, I crept
cautiously forward to the intercepting
curtain, and drawing 1t aside took
careful survey of the outer apartment.
It was large and handsomely fur.
nished room, polished mahogany
writing-table Uttered with papers oc.
cupying a prominent position against
the farther wall. A swivel chair
stood beside it, and across its back
hung what appeared to be a suit of
clothing. l 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. It 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, young lieutenant, as I
Judged from his shoulder-straps, sit
ting Just beneath the landing, whis-
pered eagerly into the attentive ear
of pronounced blonde who shared
the broad carpeted step with him.
1 drew back noiselessly, to figure
out the situation and determine what
was best for me to attempt. 1t would
be sheer madness to venture upon q
passage to the front door, clad as I
was in travelworn gray uniform; to
rush through that jam was impossible.
If were 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 it to be for 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 I
sought to bear to Lee.
l moved to the only window and
glanced out; 1t opened upon the back
of the house and presented 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 l was in bore I'M
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. l picked
up the garments one by one and took
them out; they composed the new uni
form Of 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 instinct Of my being,
and would certainly - mean added
degradation and danger in the event
of capture.
Yet I saw no other way. Sheridan,
Brennan, Cation, the three who would
certainly recognize me on sight, l was
assured were absent, although they
might return at any moment. The
greater reason for haste, the less ex.
cuse for delay. But If II should chance
to run foul of the rightful owner OF
the garments amid that crush below
and he should recognize them, what
then? l stood close beside the writ
ing-table as revolued these consid.
erations rapidly in mind, and my eye
CHANGED to fall upon an open paper
It was an official order, bearing date
a. p. m. that same day. command
Ing Colonel Culbertson to move his
battery at once down the Kendallville
pike, and report to Brigadier-General
Knowls for assignment to his brigade
evidently the new dress uniform had
been carefully brushed and laid out
to be worn at the ball that evening;
the sudden receipt Of this order had
caused the owner to depart hastily IN
his service dress, vigorously express
Ing his feelings, no doubt, while his
servant, now enjoying liberty below
stairs, had neglected to pack up his
masters things.
This knowledge was the straw
which decided me: would chance It
Hastily 1 drew on the rich blue and
red over my old gray, adding the dress
sword had discovered in a closet
and then, wondering curiously what
sort of figure l might cut In all these
fine habiliments, sought a glance al
myself within a mirror hanging upon
the bedroom wall. Faith! but 1t was
Gods mercy that did!
Such face as grinned at me from
tLat glass, peering over the high-cut
decorated collar, would surely have
created a genuine sensation in those
rooms below. Serious as my situation
was, I laughed at the thought Of II
until tears ran down my cheeks. leav
ing white streaks the full length o.
them; for no chimney-sweep in thu