The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-12-24
CHAPTER xlII-contlnued.

CHAPTER xiIl--contlnued.
The captain fitted a pair OF glasses
to his eyes and surveyed me with
care.
Why. bless me. so he is he ejacu.
lated. and you never saw him be-
fore?"
No. az there is not another Third
y. $, cavalryman west OF the AL.
leghenies."
The girl laughed and laid her hand
on Whitlock's arm.
Il told Lieutenant Raymond that /
would explain fully" she said. pre-.
tending to be amused II ii Is the uni
form my friend wears. must assume
all responsibility. as furnished 1t.
"Youl" there was sarcastic sheer
in. the ileutenant's surprised exclama.
ton. why should you have In your
possession a uniform OF the Third Reg
uiars?"
Il did not" she answered sweetly.
but looking at Whitlock. THAT uni.
form belonged to my cousin. an OH.
Ger OF the Third Kentucky"
Raymond uttered a smothered ex.
preston. stared an instant at her
slightly averted face and then, with
one stride forward. swung me to the
light
See here. Captain whitlock," he
exclaimed Indignantly. Il cannot con.
ceiye what ob@ct Miss Harwood may
have in desiring to protect this man,
but this is not the uniform of any vol.
nnteer regiment"
do | understand, lieutenant. that
you dare question my word?" she
asked proudly. her eyes gazing
straight into his. Il am unaccustomed
sir. 10 such treatment"
Wait moment. Raymond" broke
I'm the captain. There is no doubt of
Miss Harwood's loyalty. Let us hear
her explanation first. You say. Miss
Harwcod. you know this man? that he
is friend? May | ask his name7"
Surely. ! only desire an oppor.
tnnity TO answer any question. He is
Thomas Wyatt. the son OF the late
Judge Wyatt. whose home was on the
ridge yonder. We were children to.
gether."
"A rebel?"
REALLY, ] never thought to ask"
carelessly. Il was too glad TO have
his protection. We've spoke only OF
our childhood days together. still |
gathered the impression that Mr..
Wyatt had never joined either side.
and was merely here to look after his
property or course be can explain
all that"
But how came be 10 be dressed in
that uniformz" burst in Raymond
viii you be courteous enough to
permit me TO tell you? have endeay-
ored twice already to fully explain.
SIR. Wyatt came here in the midst OF
the storm last night He had found
his own home destroyed. and this was
the nearest shelter 20 be found He
supposed the house deserted. and
merely sought protection until morn
ing How | CHANGED to be here you
gentlemen both know. and tina; mat
ter requires no explanation Mr. Wyatt
arrived with his clothing muddy. and
soaked gith rain. ! gave him the
only change % BE found 10 the house
- uniform belonging originally 70 a
cousin Of mine. Lieutenant Anton
Hsrwooe, Third Kentucky cavalry
But this il not the uniform worn
~ volunteer tFoops, Captain Whit
I0ek. ! insist
Really, Lieutenant Raymond" ths
girl said fronting him. her eye'
sparkling. 'thss Ia becoming most tire
some What do care what Uniform 4
III I have told you where Il cams
from, how II CHANGED to be there. AM
the reason II was worn BY this man
cannot be expected 70 know all th'
petty distinctions of the service"
~Bot surely spoke up the captain
plainly bewlldered, the ssit he vori
when be came can be produced Yol
know where ffst isg"
u know where II was she an
swere6 coo1Iy Hanging before III
Asspgacs ID the dining room How
ever ! cannot guarantee That II re
mains there sow-tals house has beef
xnffe1 ~ Cowsn's suerrilIss, and