The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1915-12-23
CHAPTER xxili-Continued.
II CCDyISlC1VT
I<cNcCZURG kCO


Lieutenant Harwood."
"Noreen Harwood! Why. 1t takes
me off my feet. How comes II you are
here?"
MY father is dead" she answered
simply. the brightness vanishing from
her face. "He was killed only a few
days ago"
81 regret to learn that. cousin" and
he held out his hand. who Ia this
man, and why are you here with him."
He has told you the truth" she an
swered quietly. her hand still within
his. Il have known him from child
hood. IL am his wife"
There was a moment Of silence. Of
hesitation. ! heard the soldiers NOV.
Ing about the room. and the murmur
OF voices speaking cautiously. Then
HARDWOOD released her hand, and ex.
tended his own to me. his eyes frank
and cordial.
Il accept you on faith. comrade." he
said pleasantly. but there is a spare
gray jacket strapped to my saddle
yonder more becoming than that blue
coat. Saint Christopher! but It's a
most happy family reunion we're hav
ing; I'll want the story presently. but
now ! must look to my men. 'Tis no
easy game we are playing"
Let me understand that. lieuten
ant" exclaimed. as he turned away
How does II happen you are here
and for what purpose?"
"A wild plan of my own, aided ana
abetted by the commander at Coving
ton. We are OF the garrison there
he explained briefly, his glance search
ing out the dim interior. THE Yam.
KEGS have forage train out as far as
Hot Springs. ! got permission for a
dash to cut them of We took the
cutoff, and landed here about daylight,
The train should have been along be.
fore now. but there is no sign of It 4"
You have been In hiding here all
day, and seen nothing?'
on! we've seen enough" and he
laughed. But nothing we cared to
measure swords with The road yon.
der appears popular, but. by good luck
no Yankee shows an eagerness to at.
tend church. There was gang OF
mountain men along by here maybe
two hours ago who rode up to the
door. and took look at the shebang
Whether they were Yank or Reb
didn't know. Anyhow. we were Willing
enough to see them pass on out O
sight They looked and talked as
though they were spelling for a fight"
How many?"
Thirty or forty-a right smar,
crowd. There were only two came I'D
and rode round the church--a big fel
low with red beard, and little wea
zel'faced fox he called Kelly"
Yes, ] know them: they we're hunt
ing after us. Did they go on east?"
They did. 80 has everyone else
we've seen today. That's what puz
zled US as to just what might be up
reckon you must be some popular
to create such furore. Why, ar
hour after sunup whole blame com
: pany Of bluecoats went by, riding Xix,
mad. their horses dripping, and
young fellow squirting them ON. He,
lost his hat, and they never so mucl
as took side look at this shebang
They were In some hurry. my friend
"And neither party has returned |?
"Not sign OF them"
what force have you here?"
"Twenty.eight enlisted men"
"You have pickets out?"
"One man each way, q mile dow,
the road concealed. The tower u,
there commands the country in boil
directions"
And your horses?"
Hidden In the grove yonder"
grasped the situation clearl
enough. and also comprehended tn
reckless nonchalance Of the officer
What was his purpose-his presen
plan? II appeared to me that In
conditions warranted retreat. bac
along the unfrequented mountain traI
by which this daring party of adyer
turers had come. The troops, as We
as the guerrillas. must have disco,
cred by this time that we were not 4
advance OF them. They would retur
searching every nook and corner 4
hope OF discovering our hiding plac,
They might even unite their forces
impelleC as they were by the same d,
sire, and thus become truly formida bl,
Personal hatred of me and the wish I
regain possession of Noreen. woul
animate and control both Anse Cowa
and the angry. Inundated iieutenan
While neither would likely confess hi
purpose to the other, yet their mutu;
interests would naturally suggest a
alliance. And there was no war feu
between the two which would nece
sarily prevent their cooperation. II
deed. the troopers would gladly we
come any excuse which would brin
Cowan's gang of outlaws into close
connection. And the outfit woul
never pass by this church again wit
out searching its interior. Only e
gerness. haste to overtake us In OF
attempted fight, had led to their bin
riding by before. turned 10 LA