Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-06-27

She did not scream % shA NV me-,
but her face went instantly white, and;
her hands were suddenly hung out In
startled surprise.
"You-you here? Yous have been In
there IN my roomT
'.ls this your room = IS
Eyes Why did you 90 5thsrer'
Merely because It was the nrst
door found unlocked.''
But It was not unlocked. Sec, 4
have the key here In my pocket"
yet you must have been mistaken.
for the door was certainly unlocked
when came. even standing very
slightly a1ar."
From the expression Of her face I
doubted II she believed me. I. felt
obliged to continue speaking,
II was endeavoring to- escaps. but
now have decided otherwise ana AK
you to aid me-. feel that you sym.
pathize with me, that you still have
faith in my statements. A few mo-
ments ago overheard you attempt
my defense In the library"
I'll do not think 4 defended you,"
the color coming back into her cheeks.
what IS It you do ask r
.'That you will go with me now al.
rectly to those gathered Ia the library.
I want to tell them my story ana let
them judge as to its truth. We have
not known each other long. and / am
Yankee, your war enemy. YET sim
cerely. desire your good opinion. I
cannot run away. leaving you to b.
neve me coward or worse
I'll do not quite understand she
admitted at last, almost reluctantly.
lyon must not do this Relieving that
can help you or-or that Il am even
inclined to do 20. It was my trick:
which imprisoned You"
''That has left no sting, Miss Dens.
low returned. THAT you outwit-
ted me was natural enough, and I
hold no MALICE
My mind was full OF strange con-
fict as followed her to the lower
hall. Circumstances pointed directly
at me as the murderer Of that man
above. and realized how exceedingly
weak was my defense. Yet this vol.
untary surrender would surely have
weight. even upon those prejudiced
minds, and had faith-strong abid.
ing faith-that Jean Denslow would
believe the truth Of my statement
Somehow just then to retain the con-
fidence Of this girl meant infinitely
more to me than all the rest. Step
ping softly within the library and
drawing slightly to one side SO as to
reveal me standing erect in the door.
way, she announced clearly:
Lieutenant King"
caught it all in one swift glance
the book lined walls. the glass front
of the cases rejecting back the glow
of the clustered lights suspended from
the ceiling; the heavy mahogany CEN
ter table; a wide sofa. with man and
Il woman seated upon 1t, both with
dark eyes and hair and strongly re-
sembling each other. the man wearing
q Confederate uniform. the woman at
tired in some clinging brown material:
behind the table, sunk low down with
in his cushioned chair. his deep sunken
eyes staring across at me as IL he saw
a vision. was Judge Dunn. while to his
right another man-big. burly, his hair
closely cropped and iron gray leaned
forward as if to spring. Even as the
ready weapon flashed deadly in the
light spoke. my hands held up.
II am not here as an enemy. gentle
7 30, ol,31x
shot first from the hail. merely wish
to be heard. and as evidence of good
faith | will deposit my weapons on the
| table,"
None among them uttered q word.
although the Judge was suffering as
If endeavoring to gain control Of his
Language.
mo, gentlemen" said. II have
come to you voluntarily to make q
statement. In one sense ! am your
prisoner, yet, had chosen to do SO,
could have been we'll out OF your hands
by now. am Federal officer. de-
tailed upon the STAFF of General Rose
Grams and temporarily In command Of
scouts. But short time ago was
ordered to take two men and examine
this neighborhood for the purpose Of
discovering. If possible. the rendezvous
of guerrilla leader known to us as
Big lem Donald" gazed directly
into the eyes OF the giant. who was
now leaning back in his chair, Are
you the man?'
.You may assume so for sake Of ar
g1!ment. &c. on.
Understanding that Judge Dunn
had some connection with this band
of raiders. | left my men asleep this
morning and ventured here alone. hop
ing to discover opportunity for investi-
CATION. In the shadow OF the grape
treliis ! unexpectedly encountered 4
young lady. who offered to permit my
searching the house While prtjsecut-
ing that search was suddenly locked
into a storeroom and made prisoner
The deep voice Of Donald interrupt
ed with question. I.
Who Were the men with you r. r. 3
ss1yv1 ScOiita Ia ninla and 0sy2ripYl =! Z