The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-06-27
MY LADY OF THE SOUTH
Continued from Page 6.

| way Dack thereE
The question was Innocent enough.
natural enough. yet Instantly ii awoke
my suspicion. She knew now where
| that entrance was-she may not have
/ known before. Donald must have still
! been In the hall when she came up
stairs. and he had been compelled to
reveal to her his means or escape from
the house. And we must have guess
ed right. for II was o. Briens position
that alarmed her Perhaps could sur
prise the girl into a partial confession.
Il stationed him there" | said quiet
ly. because | believe that fireplace
hides the secret. Now we are going
10 md out"
For an instant thought the shot had
carried home. Then her eyes smiled,
almost mockinGly.
That Is very bright of you. l am
sure. but really | think you are mis-
taken. Have you searched all the
rooms?'
IAN except those 10 the rear"
Il have never looked into those my
self" she confessed. May | go with
you? Truly, am as anxious to I'M
cover this mysterious passage as you
are"
Certainly you may 20 with me-" |
answered careiessly. But the rooms
can wait: that big chimney looks to
me the more promising"
Convinced by the expression on her
face. not only that she knew the truth
but that | was upon the right trail.
1 started toward the rear OF the hall,
never CHANGING behind. yet aware that
Miss Jean was following. In appear
ance it was q strange. old fashioned
fireplace. nothing more-large enough
TO contain great back log and over
Swallowed by a huge manteI. The
opening was concealed by an iron fire
screen. leaving nothing visible to
arouse suspicion. yet the apparent size
of the chimney and that such a fire
place should be located here upon the
second door appeared sufficiently odd
to merit close attention.
"Have you heard or seen anything.
O'Brien?" asked as came up.
Not thing. sor." his eyes on the
girl. only the wind. There's a power
full dhraft BLOWN up the chimney"
mo doubt: il il large enough TO con-
tain a hurricane. Lay hold OF the
screen and let us see what il looks like
inside"
He leaned his carbine against the
wall and grasped what appeared TO be
the handle OF the iron sheet 1t failed
to yield TO his effort. and | laid hold
with him. thinking that probably ii
was caught in some manner We tug
ged together. but the thing was i'm
movable Surprised. bent forward.
striving In the dim light 10 discover
the cause and running my hand along
the edge. Instantly comprehended:
the screen was boltpd fast. stepped
back. convinced we had at last uncoy-
cred the secret. and turned my face TO-
ward Miss Denslow She stood mo-
covering us both with O'Brien's
aveIed carbine.
The girls eyes looked almost black
over the shining barrel, her lips COM
pressed and resolute.
Don't move. either of you, except TO
my orders" her voice sounding hard
and metallic as we stared ut her in
our first surprise. "O'Brien. reach
back and open that door at your left:
no. don't move your body; you can
reach 1t with your hand"
He did so. his motion that of an au-
tomaton. his eyes fastened on the
black muzzle of the gun. DaZed. stupe-
fed. angry as | was. could not deny
the admiration | felt for her cool ac-
ton The polished barrel of the car
bine never trembled: the watchful eyes
never left us: the girl face was white.
but determined.
Now move backward into that room.
both of you. Lieutenant King, If you
drop your hand TO your belt | shall
have TO fire"
/ did not believe she would.
Miss Denslow." protested. 81 have
tried TO serve you. have trusted you.
Is this the act of Il friend:''
no" she answered sharply. this is
war. There is nothing between us
nothing that can change my purpose.
AS God is my witness If you do not
go | fire."
1t was useless to argue. dangerous |
to delay Step by step we drew back |
across the threshold. and the lock |
clicked. leaving us in total darkness.
THE Internal little divil." O'Brien |
cried. finding his tongue in a sudden |
-ush OF passion The purring cat.
I'd loike to git me hands on her for
"You might as well stop that. |
)'Brien.".l interrupted sternly. The
,irl did nothing but her duty. The
hing for us now is TO find some way
tut before Donald leads the way In
md takes our men In the rear"
Even in the darkness the nature of
he apartment was easily discoverable
" sense of touch. 1t was small, APP {
'arently the sleeping quarters of some
ervant. For the third time since en-
ering this house / found myself a
risoner. twice through the wit and
erve OF this woman, and she. un-
moving It. was my wife. Except for
hose legal bonds. by which we were