Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-12-06

| less, but as We cleared the gateway
he spoke, and bis words helped me
to comprehend.
Captain Wayne" he said quietly. so
that the words could not be over
heard. you do not recognize me. but
was the officer who conducted you
70 headquarters when you brought the
| flag in at Wilson Creek. o; courss I
must perform the duty given me, but
| wish you to understand that wholly
believe your word"
He stopped, extended his hand. and
accepted II silently.
There must be some grave personal
reason which seals your lips7" he
questioned
There is"
Il thought as much. I CHANGED to
overhear the words. or rather a por-
ton OF them, which Brennan whis-
pered. and have no doubt If they were
explained to the General he would feel
more kindly disposed toward you"
It was asked as a question. and
felt obliged to reply.
Il appreciate deeply your desire TO
aid me. but there are circumstances
involving others which compel me for
the present to silence. Indeed my Dos
slble fate does not so greatly trouble
me. only that | possess a strong de-
sire to have freedom long enough to
cross swords with this major OF yours.
The quarrel between us has become
bitterly personal. and hunger for
chance TO have Il out. DO you know,
Is he a man who would fight?"
The young fellow stiffened slightly
we are serving upon the same
staff" be said more abruptly, and
while we have never been close
friends. yet cannot honorably take
sides against him. He has been out
twice within the last three years 10
my knowledge. and is not devoid
either of courage or skill Possibly,
however. the arrival of bis wife may
make him less a fre-eater."
Ellis wlHe7"
stopped so suddenly that he In.
voluntarily frightened 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 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 naust
have met her yourself. Have yos
reason to suspect this is Sot their
relationship"
mot In the least" [ FASTENED 20
answer. fearful lesS my thoughtless
exclamation miglN become the basis
for camp gossip. Indeed was
scarcely " the lady's presence at all
coming in. as l 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. ut 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 safe-keeping Of i'm.
portant prisoners
We mounted the front steps as he
was speaking. passing through a cor
don Of guards. and In the wide hall
way / was turned tower 20 the officer
IL charge,
Goodnight. Captain said Cation.
kindly extending his hand. You may
rest assured that shall say all can
in your favor. but Il is TO be regretted
that Brennan has great influence iust
now at headquarters. and Sheridan is
not man to lightly overlook those
hasty words you spoke to him"
! could only thank him most warm
ly for his interest. realizing fully
from hts 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 opened; | was pushed forward
into the dense darkness within, ana
the lock clicked duly behind me.
So thick was the wall 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
/ flcient 20 keep me awake. Feeling
my way cautiously along the wall. |
came at last 70 wide wooden bench,
and stretching my form at full length
upon II, pillowed my head on one
arm. and almost instantly was sound
asleep
When ! awoke sore from my hard
bed and sJiffened by the uncom-
Portable position In which | lay, IL
was broad daylight That the morn
ing was, indeed, well advanced
knew from the single ray Of suuligh.
which streamed H. 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
had discovered the sole pretenCe Il