The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-03-09

| careful survey or the outer apartment.
IL was large and handsomely fur
nished room, polished mahogany
writing-table Uttered with papers oc-
cupying 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 hail. II 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 TO
find place within the crowded ball
room, or else preferred greater retire
ment for conversation. Even the wide
stairway had been partially pre-
empted, young lieutenant, as
judged from his shoulderstraps, sit
ting just beneath the landing. whis-
pered eagerly into the attentive ear
OF a pronounced blonde who shared
| the broad carpeted step with him.
drew back noiselessly TO figure
out the situation and determine what
was best for me 10 attempt II would
be sheer madness to venture upon a
passage TO the front door. clad as /
was In travel-worn gray uniform; to
rush through that jam was impossible
IL | were TO wait until the dance was
concluded the later hours OF the night
might indeed yield me somewhat
clearer passage. yet IL was hardly
probablc that the house. used as
knew IL to be for a military prison,
would be left unguarded Besides,
such delay must absolutely prevent
my getting beyond the Federal picket
lines before daybreak. and would
hence render valueless the news |
sought 10 bear 10 Lee,
! moved 10 the only window and
glanced out; II opened upon the back
of the house and presented a 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 abundantly pro
tected by patrols.
Something had TO be attempted and
at once The room | was in bore I'M
questionable evidence OF recent occu-
pancy. and at any moment might be
re-entered My searching eyes fell
upon the articles OF clothing carelessly
folded over the chair-back. | picked
up the garments one by one and took
them out; they composed the new uni
form OF a colonel OF artillery. and
were resplendent with bright red fac
ings and a profusion of gold braid.
With all my soul | loathed the thought
Of disguise. and especially the hated
uniform Of the enemy. II was re-
pugnant 10 every instin 1 OF my being.
and would certainly mean added
degradation and danger in the event
OF capture.
rt ! saw no other way Sheridan.
T.. inan, Cation. the three who would
certainly recognize me on sight. | was
assured were absent, although they
lilknl ItluIH dN any Ht
greater reason for haste, the less ex
cuse for delay But II | should chance
10 run foul OF the rlghtful owner OF
the garments amid that crush below,
and he should recognize them, what
them stood close beside the writ.
ing-table as | reyolved 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. IN. that same day, command
ing Colonel Culbertson 10 move his
battery at once down the Kendallville
pike. and report TO Brigadier General
Knowls for assignment 10 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 10 depart hastily In
his service dress. vigorously express.
ing his feelings. no doubt while his
servant, now enjoying liberty below
stairs. had neglected TO pack up his
masters things.
This knowledge vas the straw
which decided me- would chance II.
Hastily | drew on the rich blue and
red over my old gray, adding the dress
sword had discovered in closet,
and then. wondering curiously what
sort OF figure I might cut in all these
fine habllIments. sought glance at
myself within mirror hanging upon
the bedroom wall. Faith but II was
Gods mercy that did
Such face as grinned at me from
flat glass. peering over the high-cut.
decorated collar. would surely have
created a genuine sensation In those
rooms below Serious as my situation
was, I laughed az the thought Of u
until tears ran down my cheeks leav-
ing white streaks the full length OF
them: for no chimney-sweep in the
full tide OF his glorious career was
ever worse SoOted and begrimed