Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-01-03
C0RyRzsW WACMr GlRG SEQ

the SraVelleO pain TO the ROAD. was
Impressed by his seeming careless
Iess, but as We cleared the gateway
he spoke, and his 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
I was the officer who conducted you
to headquarters when you brought the
flag in at Wilson Creek. OF course
must perform the duty given me, but
I wish you to understand that wholly
believe your word"
He stopped, extended his hand. and
I accepted it silently.
There must be some grave personal
reason which seals your ips?" he
questioned.
There is"
Il thought as much. I CHANGED to
overhear the words, or rather 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"
1t 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 pos
sible fate does not so greatly trouble
me, only that I 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 I hunger for a
chance to have it out. Do you know,
is he a man who would fight?'
The young fellow stiffened slightly.
I'VE are serving upon the same
Staff he said more abruptly. land
while we have never been close
friends, yet cannot honorably take
sides against him. He has been out
twice within the last three years to
my knowledge, and is not devoid
either of courage or skill. Possibly,
however. the arrival Of his wife may
make him less fire-eater.'
His wife,"
stopped so suddenly that he in
voluntarily frightened his grip upon my
arm as though suspicious Of an at
tempt to escape.
do you," l 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 1t, you must
have met her yourself. Have you
reason to suspect this is not their
relationship"
mot in the least" l fastened to
answer, fearful lest my thoughtless
exclamation might become the basis
for camp gossip. Indeed was
scarcely in the lady's presence at all
coming in, as I 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. 1T is tremendous big build.
ing for this country, with as fine a
ballroom in it as l 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 prisonass"
We mounted the front steps as he
was speaking, passing through a cor
don of guards, and in the wide hall
way l was turned tower 10 the Officer
| IL charge.
"Good-right, Captain" said Cation
kindly extending his hand "You ma,
rest assured that shall say all car
In your favor. but it is to be regretted
that Brennan has great influence JUS
now at headquarters, and Sheridan i,
not man to lightly overlook those
hasty words you spoke to him."
could only thank him most warm
ly for his interest, realizing full,
from his grave manner my desperat,
situation, and follow my silent con
ductor down some narrow and stee,
stairs until we stood upon the cement
| o1 f10nr ~
heavy door in the stone division wal
was opened; l was pushed forward
into the dense darkness within, ant
the lock clicked duly behind me
So thick was the wall I could no
even distinguish the retreating step,
of the jailer.
Tired as I was from the fntens,
strain of the past thirty-six hours
even my anxious thoughts were Insult
nc1ent to keep me awake. Feeling
my way cautiously along the wall.
came at last to a wide wooden bench
and stretching my form at full length
upon it, pillowed my head on on
arm, and almost instantly was SCUM,
asleep.
| When l awoke, sore from my har
bed and stiffened by the uncom
Portable position in which I lay, /
was broad daylight. That the morn
ing was, indeed, well advanced
knew from the single ray of sunlixh
which streamed IL. through a crate,
window high up in the wall opposit
me and fell like a bar of gold acros
the rough stone floor. I was alone
Even in the dark Of the previous nigh
I had discovered the sole pretence t.