The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-12-24
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a IAL[ or CIVIL STRIFE Y.
&RANDALL PARRISH y
ILLUSTRATIONS G-C.DRTIOD[S
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IRWIN the SuuHu, your OWN men were
none too careful"
whitlock tiddIed with the tasseI OF
his sword. evidently far from satisfied
himself. yet unwilling to make final
decision unaided.
i hardly know just what to do" he
confessed reluctantly. Ordinarily.
you know, lady's word would be suf-
ficient. but somehow, I--I-well. this
looks just little queer. What do
you think. lieutenantf'
THAT the fellow ought to be taken
before Major Halves and made to ex-
plain what purpose brought him here.
! have no desire to question Miss
HARDWOOD; indeed, am perfectly will
ing to accept her statement. But this
man is not civilian-he is soldier;
he has had military training. He
should be made to account for him
self. sir" The speakers eyes fell
upon the preacher. huddled back In
the corner. now clearly revealed by
the gray daylight which was stealing
In through the windows. "Hullo! here
seems to be yet another specimen we
have overlooked Who are your"
Nichols shuffled forward, looking
woebegone and miserable, his cheek
disfgured by Cowan's blow, sneak
and coward written all over him. His
shifting eyes met mine. and he must
have read In my gaze a threat he dare
not ignore. Twice his mouth opened
and closed before he could make
words issue
"One OF Cowan's gang?"
God be praised-no. Made to serve
that human fiend by force. | am a
minister of the Gospel"
"You!" The lieutenant broke into
a laugh, by Jove, you fit the part.
whitlock. did you ever hear of the
fe1low?"
The captain rubbed his glasses.
Are you the Baptist preacher at
Cane Ridge?" he asked doubtfully.
For twenty years have minis.
tered to that congregation; the young
woman can vouch for my labor"
Then. presume you are also &C.
quainted with this fellow?" ques.
toned Raymond impatiently.
Nichols turned his glance again in
my direction but his gray face was
devoid of interest
Il have no knowledge of the young
man." he asserted solemnly. but
knew the old Judge we'll. The resem
blance is strong, and | have no doubt
but he is a son. The father was q
Christian and gentleman"
And a rebel. ! presumed"
Judge Wyatt died before the break
ing out OF the war, sir. but was known
throughout these parts as Unionist :
There was silent pause. Whitlocb
fumbling at his eyeglasses. Raymond
perplexed frown on his face, staring
first at Nichols and then at me, as
though more than half convinced he
was being made fool Of The girl
had seated herself In a chair, and was
leaning forward, her face hidden. The
lieutenant turned and strobe across
the room, glancing out the window
then back again.
We'll. we cannot remain here dis
cussing the matter" he said tartly. al
we do we may have real fight on ouI
hands before we are safely back ID
Lewisburg." He planted himself
squarely In front OF me. See here
IL is time you did some talking. You
haven't opened your mouth yet"
There has been no OCCASION" re
piled pleasantly. THE others have
told all you need to know without my
even being questioned"
Il have mind to search YOU" he
retorted, completely losing his temper
AT your pleasure. lieutenant"
spoke coldly enough, although there
was a catch in my throat at sudden
memory of the paper | bore contain
ing his name, And there is no guess
ing what you might find in Lieutenan,
Harwood's uniform"
We were still looking defiantIy Al
each others eyes when trooper an
peared In the open doorway, saluted
and said something In a low tone /,
Whitlock. ! failed to catch the word,
spoken, but heard the captain answer
Certainly. corporal. have him cons
up al once"
The soldier disappeared down tn,
hall. and the lieutenant steppe,
back across the room, bending hi,
head to whisper something privatel,
into Whitlock's ear. My eyes fol
lowed his movement. and then sough
the face Of the girl; she sat motion
less, the long Iashes shading her eyes
the only visible sign of excitemen
the swift rise and fall OF her bosom
Then a man came hastily into tn
room through the opened door. M,
heart leaped into my throat at sigh
Of him--he was Captain Fox.