The Huttig news., 1915-10-30

 judge from your expression there is no reprieve."
 And no hope of one, Wyatt" he an. swered regretfully. The evidence against you is too strong. The delay i in convening a court has been caused ] by the scarcity of officers in camp. l Our forage trains are just beginning to return, but it is now so late that Colonel Pickney has decided to hold you prisoner until morning. I waited until the order was issued before com ing here. The court-martial is set for eight o'clock"
 "i am thankful for even that delay. There is, l presume no doubt as to l the result?"
 None, so far as I can learn. You l are soldier, Wyatt and may as well i face the truth. l have urged mercy on Colonel Pickney until he finally l ordered me to drop the subject. He is strict disciplinarian, a bit of martinet. indeed, and inclined to take the advice of regular army officer in such matters, rather than rely op volunteers. Has Raymond any spe cial reason to dislike you?"
 Only that I impersonated him il, this masquerade.'
 Bah! that was mere chance, th selection of his name from the arm ilst The fellow is naturally vindi, tive enough, but surely could not hal DOT personal dislike over so small matter. He paused hesitatingly, 8 though doubtful Of the propriety pressing an inquiry. q trust you wi pardon me, Wyatt, but 1 have woi dered If there was not some troubl existing between you relative to tn friendship of Miss Harwood."
 That would appear impossible,' replied, somewhat surprised, for m being with her was entirely acciden tal."
 Yes, so she insists; but I knov Raymond is deeply interested in th girl. Someone told me he actual, proposed to her at West Point, an, sought this detail in hope of meeting her again. The occurrence whicl aroused my suspicion that he felt {; personal grudge against you was this -l know he promised her to use hi Influence to have you sent to Charles ton for trial, but instead he urget Colonel Pickney to exercise his owl authority. l chanced to be in the nexi room, and overheard have not seer the young lady since.'
 My mind worked rapidly. Tha, Raymond was treacherous was prob ably true. Noreen had treated hin with marked coldness. There could be no great degree of intimacy between them. or she would have chosen hin in this emergency rather than Captain Fox. But she had revealed to neither officer the fact of our marriage; II was not so much as suspected
 How is it, Wyatt?" Fox asked, as ] failed to speak. Should Miss liar wood be informed of the lieutenant's action?"
 By no means. captain. I doubt she really trusted the fellow eve when she made him messenger"
 Sc do l. for later she went herself.
 U 1oluHeI TickHey
 "Yes, an hour ago, after Raymon, returned with his report. I was a the hotel and saw her slip out tn, side door. Colonel Pickney has head quarters in the big stone house oppo site the courtyard, and I had the curl osity to watch. She was inside nearly half an hour, and returned by way oI the side street. Then she sent fol me-"
 She told you the result of her inter view?"
 "It was not even mentioned, but ] knew she had met with no success She seemed distressed. but was anx ious that you should know at once the seriousness of your position. and the only hope of escape offered you.''
 My heart was beating fiercely at this direct evidence of her interest in my affairs. She had even humbled herself to beg for me a chance; per. haps, to Colonel Pickney she had even confessed the truth in hope of chang ing his decision. But the effort had proved useless; he had named terms which she evidently considered unwor. thy.
 What hope?" I asked coldly "YoI mean the terms offered me befose 2
 He bowed gravely. but without speaking.
 And did Miss Harwood request you to urge my acceptance?" 1 By no means. Her purpose was to acquaint you with the conditions, to relieve your suspense, and permit you to realize her friendliness. I was to tell you this frankly. but not to urge any decision upon you"
 And l thank you. Captain Fox, and beg you to express to her my appre. citation of her kind loyalty. My life is of small account in this struggle, and it's preservation would be no excuse for treachery."
 Fox grasped my hand firmly in hoth of his own.
 '1 am glad of your decision, Wyatt" he said earnestly. "I had no doubt of what it would be; nor do I think she had. Is there anything I can do ?