Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-07-10

black shadows running. A voice yelled
excitedly: post Six! Post Ski"
With single leap the Sergeant was
across the sill, and dropped silently to
the ground. Still blinded by the light
he ran forward. Jerking his revolver
from the belt AS he passed the cor
ner of the barracks the sentry fired
again. the red fash cleaving the night
in an instant's CHASTITY vividness. It
revealed woman shrinking against
the yellow stone wall. lighted up her
face. then plunged her again into OBJ
security.
The Sergeant caught the glimpse,
half believing the vision a phantasy
OF the brain; he had seen her face,
white. frightened. agonized, yet It
could not have been real. He tripped
over the stone wall and half fell. but
ran on. his mind in turmoil, but GER
tain some one was racing before him
down the dark ravine. There had been
a woman there! He could not quite
blot that out-but not she; not Molly
Mcdonald. Tiff 1t were she; II he
had really seen her face In the fare.
IL it was no dream, then whatf Why,
he must screen her from discovery,
give her opportunity to slip away.
This was the one vague. dim thought
which took possession OF the man. 1t
obscured all else; It sent him blindly
crashing over the edge of the ravine.
He heard the sentry at his right cry
hoarsely, he heard excited shouts from
the open windows Of the barracks;
then his feet struck a mans body, and
he went down headlong.
Almost at the instant the sentry was
upon him, gun-muzzle pressing him
back as he attempted to rise.
BE still. ye hell hound" was the
gruff order, cor I'll blow yer to king
dom come! Sergeant of the guard.
quick here! Post Number Ski"
Hamlin lay still. half stunned by the
shock Of his fall. yet conscious that
the delay. this mistake Of the sentry.
would afford her ample chance for es-
cape. He could hear men running to.
ward them, and his eyes caught the
yellow. boobing light of lantern. His
hand reached out and touched the
body over which he had fallen, feeling
military button, and the clasp OF a
belt-it was soldier then who had
been shot. Could she have done It.?
Or did she know who did? Whatever
the truth might be. he would hold his
tongue; let them suppose him guilty
for the time being; he could establish
innocence easily enough when II came
to trial. These thoughts flashed
through his mind swiftly; then the
light of the lantern cleaned in his
eyes. and he saw the faces clustered
about
IAN right, Mapes," commanded the
man with the light Let the fellow
up until get look at him. Who the
hell are your"
Sergeant Hamlin. Seventh Cav
airy"
"Darned II it amt. Say. what does
all this mean, anyhow? Who's shot?
Turn the body over. somebody. BY
God! It's Lieutenant Gaskins!"
Hamlin's heart seemed to leap into
his throat and choke him; for an In
slant he felt faint. dazed. staring down
into the still face CHASTITY under the
rays of the lantern. Gaskinsl Then
she, was concerned in the affair; he
really had seen her hiding there
against the wall. And the mans eyes
were open.A were staring In bewilder-
ment at the faces. The Sergeant Of
the Guard thrust the lantern closer.
Lift his head. some O. yer. the
mans alive. Copley. get some water,
an two Of yer run fer the stretcher
leg 1t now. Well have yer out o.
here in minute, Lieutenant What
happened. sir7 Who shot yer?"
Gaskins' dulled eyes strayed from
the speakers face until he saw Ham
lin. still firmly gripped by the sentry.
His lips drew back revealing his teeth,
his eyes narrowing.
That's the one" he said family.
You've got him!"
One hand went TO his side In q
spasm OF pain. and he tainted The
Sergeant laid him back limp on the
grass. and stood up.
where is your gun, Hamlin%
Il dropped It when ] fell over the
Lieutenant's body. 1t must be back OF
you"