Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-03-01
1UPC 6CQ

impressed by MS m careless
ness, 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
l 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
l wish you to understand that l wholly
believe your word"
He stopped, extended his hand. and
l accepted it silently.
There must be some grave personal
reason which seals your lips?" he
questioned.
There is"
II thought as much. l CHANGED to
overhear the words, or rather a 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 l
felt obliged to reply.
Il appreciate deeply you desire to
aid me, but there are circumstances
involving others which compel me for
the present to silence. Indeed m 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 l 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. and
| while we have never been close
friends, yet l 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 a ~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 a woman in my Judgment for
such a master, but then that is not so
uncommon a mistake in marriage.
Why, come to think about it, you must
have met her yourself. Have you
reason to suspect this is not their
relationship"
Not in the least" 1 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 l 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
Sdlu. ~ 10 d IIcIlSlCOuS UlS Uullu-
ing for this country, with as fine a
ballroom in it as 1 have seer 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 s~afe-keeping of i'm
portant prisoners"
We mounted the front steps as he
was speaking. passing through a cor
don Of guards, and in the wide hall
way / was turned. tower 70 the officer
! IL charge.
Goodnight Captain" said Cation.
rest assured that I shall say all ] can
in your favor, but it is to be regretted
that Brennan has great influence just
now at headquarters, and Sheridan ia
not a man to lightly overlook those
hasty words you spoke to him."
/ could only thank him most warm
ly for his interest, realizing fully
from his grave manner my desperate
situation, and follow my silent con.
ductor down some narrow and steep
stairs until we stood upon the cement
ed floor Of the basement Here q
heavy door in the stone division wall
was opened; l vas pushed forward
into the dense darkness within, and
the lock clicked DULY behind me.
So thick was the wall I could not
even distinguish the retreating steps
Of the jailer.
Tired as I was from the intense
strain Of the past t%hirty-six hours,
even my anxious thoughts were insult.
ficient 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 one
arm, and almost instantly was sound
asleep.
When / awoke, sore from my hard
bed and stiffened by the uncom.
Portable position in which I lay, 1t
was broad daylight That the morn
ing was. indeed, we'll advanced l
knew from the single ray of sunlight
which streamed il through a grated
window high up in the wall opposite
me and fell like a bar of gold across
the rough stone floor. I vas alone.
Even In the dark Of the previous night
I had discovered the sole p%retence to
furniture in the place. The itself
proved to be q large and almost
square apartment. probably during the