The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-11-16
CopyrienL. Dy A 4 MeClure a Co.
Entered q statiooef's Hall. London-

however. the arrival of his wife may
make him less a fire-eater."
His wife?"
stopped so suddenly that he in
voluntarily tightened his grip upon my
arm as though suspicious of an at
tempt to escape.
do YOU" | asked, gaining some
slight control over myself, refer to
the lady who came in with his party
last EVENING""
Most certainly; she was presented
to all of us as Mrs. Brennan, she has
been assigned rooms at his quarters,
and she wears a wedding-ring. Far
too fine a woman in my judgment for
such a master, but then that is not so
uncommon a mistake in marriage
Why, come to think about II, you must
have met her yourself. Have you
reason to suspect this is not their
relationship"
Not in the least" I hastened to
answer, fearful lest my thoughtless
exclamation might become the basis
for camp gossip. Indeed | was
scarcely in the ladys presence at all
coming in, as | was left in charge OF
the sergeant"
Perhaps he felt that he had already
said too much, for we tramped on in
silence until we drew near a large,
square white building standing direct
ly beside the road.
This is the old Culverton tavern,
known as the Mansion House." he
said. 1T is tremendous big build
ing for this country, with as fine a
ballroom In II as ! have seen since
leaving New York. We utilize it for
almost every military purpose. and
among others some Of the strong
rooms in the basement are found val
liable for the safekeeping OF i'm
portant prisoners
We mounted the front steps as he
was speaking, passing through cor
don Of guards, and in the wide hall
way was turned tower to the officer
In charge.
Goodnight, Captain" said Cation,
kindly extending his hand. You may
rest assured that l shall say all can
in your favor, but II is to be regretted
that Brennan has great influence just
now at headquarters, and Sheridan is
not a man to lightly overlook those
hasty words you spoke to him"
could only thank him most warm
ly for his interest, realizing fully
from his grave manner my desperate
situation, and follow my silent con-
ductor down some narrow and steep
stairs until we stood upon the cement
ed floor Of the basement Here a
heavy door In the stone division wall
was openedi / was pushed forward
into the dense darkness within, and
the lock clicked DULY behind me.
So thick was the wall could not
even distinguish the retreating steps
OF the TALLER. --.
Tired al I 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
asleep.
When ] awoke, sore from my hard
bed and stiffened by the uncom
Portable position in which | lay, II
was broad daylight. That the morn
ing was, indeed well advanced
knew from the single ray OF sunlight
which streamed in through grated
window high up in the wall opposite
me and fell like bar OF gold across
the rough stone floor. / was alone
Even in the dark of the previous nigh
| had discovered the sole pretence tC
furniture in the place. The room itsel
proved to be a large and almos
square apartment, probably during th'
ordinary occupancy of the house re
ceptacle for wood or garden produce
but now peculiarly well adapted tC
the safeguarding of prisoners.
The solid stone walls we're of sui
ficient height to afford no chance o
reaching the great oak girders tina
supported the floor above, even haC
the doing so offered a favorable open
ing for escape. There were, apparent
ly, but three openings of any kind
the outside window through whicl
the sunlight streamed, protected b!
thick bars of iron; second opening
quite narrow, and likewise protected
by a heavy metal grating; and thu
tightly locked door by means of whicl
l had entered. The second, / con
cluded, after inspecting it closely, wa
mere air passage leading into som
other division Of the cellar | note'
these openings idly, and with scarce
ly thought as to the possibility o
escape. had awakened with strang
indifference as to what my fate nigh
be. Such feeling was not natura
TO me, but the fierce emotions OF tn
preceding night had seemingly robbe'
me of all my usual buoyancy of hops
IL one sense | yet trusted that Mrf
Brennan would keep her pledge an,
tell her story to Sheridan; even II sh'
failed to do this, and left me to fac
the rifles or the rope. then Il mad