The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1912-01-12


that the bed was unoecupied. for J
WAS far too experienced soldier 70
leave an enemy in my rear, ! crept
cautiously forward 10 the intercepting
curtain. and drawing It aside took
careful survey OF the outer apartment.
II was a large and handsomely fur
nished room. polished mahogany
vriting-table Uttered with papers oc'
cupying a prominent position against
the farther wall. A swivel chair
stood beside II. and across It's back
hung what appeared 10 be a suit OF
clothing. saw no other signs of hu.
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. 1t was not a 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 20
find place within the crowded ball
room, or else preferred greater retire.
meDt for conversation. Even the wide
stairway had been partially pre-
cmpted, a young lieutenant, as I
judged from his shoulderstraps, sit.
ting Just beneath the landing, whs-
pored eagerly into the attentive car
of a pronounced blonde who shared
the broad carpeted step with him.
drew back noiselcssy. to figure
out the situation and determine what
was best for me to attempt. 1t would
be sheer madness TO venture upon .
passage to the front door, clad as !
was in trayel.worn gray uniform; to
rush through that jam was impossible
II | were 10 wait until the dance was
concluded the later hours of the night
might indeed yield me somewhat
clearer passage, yet il was hardly
probable that the house, used as
knew II to be for q military prison,
would be left uaguarded Besides.
such delay must absolutely prevent
my getting beyond the Federal picket
lines before daybreak, and would
hence render valueless the news
sought to bear to Lee.
| moved to the only window and
glanced out; It 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 sbundantly pro.
tected by patrols,
Something had to be attempted, and
at once. The room was in bore un.
questionable evidence of recent occu.
pancy, and at any moment might BIO
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 a colonel of artillery, and
we're resplendent with bright red fac.
ings and a profusion Of gold braid
With all my soul loathed the though,
Of disguise, and especially the hated
uniform Of the enemy. Il was re-
pugnant to every nstin / Of my being,
and would certainly mean added
degradation and danger in the event
Of capture.
Yet ! saw no other way. Sheridan,
Brennan, Cation, the three who would
certainly recognize me on sight, I was
assured were absent. although they
might return at any moment The
greater reason for haste, the less ex-
cuse for delay. But IL should chance
to run foul Of the rightful owner Of
the garments amid that crush below,
and he should recognize them, what
then? | stood close beside the writ
ing.table as ! revolved these consid.
erations rapidly in mind, and my eye
CHANGED 10 fall upon an open paper
II 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 10 pack up his
masters things.
This knowledge was the straw
which decided me; would chance II.
Hastily | drew on the rich blue and
red over my old gray, adding the dress