Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-01-10

opening leading from it into the Chin
ney we were scaling, for as Jed SLOW
ly passed, could perceive sudden
CLEAN of light streaming across his
face from the glare of the lamps with
in. He glanced anxiously that way,
but did not pause In his steady climb
upward.
A moment later I came opposite
that same beam of radiance, and
cautiously peered down the sloped
opening that led to the disused fire.
place. All I could perceive was a
pair of legs, evidently those Of a cav.
airy officer, judging from the broad
yellow stripe down the seam OF the
light-blue trousers. and the high boots
ornamented with rowel spurs. He
stood leaning carelessly against the
mantel, talking with some one just
beyond the range Of my vision.
At that moment the music ceased
suddenly, and afraid to proceed until
it should strike uo again, I braced
E4ysef securely on projecting stone
and bent my head over the oriffce I'M
til could catch a portion of the con-
versation being carried on by my I'm.
conscious neighbors.
NO." said the cavalryman, gruffly,
and apparently In reply to some previ-
Gus question, "the fellow was most
devilish obstinate; wouldn't tell the
first thing; even a threat of treat
ing him as spy and hanging him
outright proved of no avail. But
Sheridan's theory is thai Lee has or
dered Longstreet to hit our rear,
while he makes direct attack in
front. That's why the old man. pro.
poses to get in his work first, and
we march at daylight to form con-
nection with Hancock. BY Jove,
Chesley, but that woman in black over
there with Follans. >e is the handsom-
est picture I've seen south of the line.
Mark how her eyes sparkle, and how
prettily the light CLEANS in her hair.
Who is she, do you chance to know"
YES" lisped the other, languidly,
met her at breakfast, headquarters,
this morning. DeuceG pretty and all
that, mighty good style, too, but taken,
old man. She's Brennan's.'
What! not Major Brennan" in sur.
prise. "Why, he's always posed as a
bachelor among our fellows"
Don't know anything bout that,
dear boy" indifferently, "but the lady
came in with him yesterday, was in
troduced to the crowd of us as Mrs.
Brennan, and he called her Edith.
Deuced nice name, Edith. AS Bren-
nan has shown such poor taste as to
be absent tonight, am inclined to give
little of my time to his lady. Far
and away the prettiest thing here.
Well, so long, Somers; see you in the
morning. I'm going to give the fair
Edith a whfrl."
The cavalry legs shifted the: posi-
ton; tho band resumed its functions
and in the renewed activity and noise
l began again the toilsome climb, my
mind now bcwildered chaos between
my plain duty to Lee and ny nearly
uncomfortable desire to meet once
Lore the woman who was dancing II
the room below.
The little mountaineer, as active as
a cat, and not especially hampered by
lack of room in which to work, wal
we'll above me by this time. The
chimney, acting as q tube, brough,
down to me from time to tirae the
slight noise of his climbing, varied
by an occasional exclamation or com
ment, but could perceive no other
evidence of his presence. Above, al
was as black as the grave.
Holy smoke!" he calculated, prob
ably unaware that he was giving utter
ance to his thoughts. THAT was {
| sharp rock! Durn if thar's a inch &
skin left on my knee, Ough! sto1
tibet! who's got hold O my fut?"
Hush your racket, you little fool
! I said angrily. do you want thu
whole Yankee army to trap US here
like rats? l cannot get up this chin
n. any further; it is growing to<
small to permit my body to pass
Els tibet so, Cap?" he asked anxious
ly. Whit be We goin' ter dew bout
| it,"
I made no answer for a moment:
was cropping about in the darkness O
our narrow quarters to see il l coult
determine exactly where we were.
How high is this house, Jed, do 70,
know
Three stories an attic"
How far up are we?"
"'Bout halfway long Their thirt
story, I reckon; must be list blow
! whar We are tibet l stuck my fu
! down an openin'. Reckon t was moth
er fireplace, like thet one on the
first flure."
lowered myself silently, and fell
along the stones until I located tn,
! opening, and roughly measured it.
dimensions.
Il shall have to risk crawling on
here, Jed" said finally, Tor shall
surely stick fast If 60 up anothe
ten feet. Do you suppose you ca,
squeeze through to the top?"
Il reckon l kim" he returned calm
ly. But hadn't we better stick tel
gether, Cap?"
mo-" / answered firmly. You g
on, and one Of us must get through
to Lee. Don't mind me at all; &c
down from the roof as best you can
If I am caught it will be all the NOR
important that you should succeed"
"T is done-1 thank thee, Rodericl
for the word; it nerves my heart, /
steeis my sword"