Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-01-25

impressed by MS seeming careless
Less. 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
| 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
| wish you to understand that | wholly
believe your word"
He stopped, extended his hand, and
| accepted it silently.
There must be some grave personal
reason which seals your lips?" be
questioned.
There is"
81 thought as much. | 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
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 / possess a strong de
sire to have freedom long enough tC
cross swords with this major of yours
The quarrel between us has become
bitterly personal, and | hunger for q
chance to have it out Do you know
is he a mar 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 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
lldhe ulLu less a thereafter,
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" / 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 fol-
such a master, but then that is not sc
uncommon a mistake in marriage
Why, come to think about it, you mus
have met her yourself. Have yol
reason to suspect this is not theil
relationship"
Not in the least" | 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 vas 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 a tremendous big build
ing for this country, with as fine g
ballroom in it as l have seen since
leaving New York. We utilize it fol
almost every military purpose, anG
among others some of the strong
rooms in the basement are found val
liable for the safe-keeping of i'm
portant prisoners"
We mounted the front steps as HI
was speaking, passing through a cor
don of guards, and in the wide hall
way | was turned tower 70 the office
III charge.
Goodnight, Captain" said eaton
kindly extending his hand. you ma,
rest assured hat | shall say all / cal
in your favor, but it is to be regrettev
that Brennan has great Influence jus
now at headquarters, and Sheridan |
not a man to lightly overlook thos
hasty words you spoke to him."
l could only thank him most warn
ly for his interest, realizing full
from his grave manner my desperat
situation, and follow my silent col
ductor down some narrow and stee
stairs until we stood upon the cemen
ed floor of the basement. Here
heavy door in the stone division wa
was opened; ! was pushed forwar
into the dense darkness within, an
the lock clicked DULY behind M
So thick was the wall | could NJ
even distinguish the %retreating steI
of the jailer.
Tired as | vas from the intens
strain Of the past thirty-six hour
even my anxious thoughts were insu
liSiSuI W hCSg mo dWdhc. rScliu
my way cautiously along the wall,
came at last to a wide wooden benc
and stretching my form at full lengt
upon it, pillowed my head on or
arm, and almost instantly was sour
asleep.
When / awoke, sore from my hal
bed and stiffened by the uncor
Portable position in which | lay,
was broad daylight That the NOR
ing was. indeed. well advanced
knew from the single ray Of sunligl
which streamed il through a graf,
window high UP In the wall opposi
me and fell like a bar of gold aero
the rough stone floor. ! was alon
Even in the dark Of the previous mig
had discovered the solo p~retence
furniture in the place. The room itse
nroved to be a large and almo