Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-11-25
Qlop[D MIST
a IALF OF CIVIL STRITT I.
@rRANDALL PARRISH Y
ILLUSTRATIONS :l!::'lE 6rc:DpHoDr5

| N"~' w h&I w \ Ndtc WHAT II
| is! / have told you where 1t came
! from, how 1t CHANGED to be there, and
the reason 1t was worn by this man.
cannot be expected to know all the
petty distinctions of the service"
But surely spoke up the captain,
plainly bewildered, the suit he wore
when he came can be produced. You
know where that is?"
Il know where II was" she an.
| swered cooliy. Hanging before the
fireplace In the dining room. How.
ever ! cannot guarantee that 1t re-
mains there now--this house has been
Quilted by Cowan's gnerrillas, and,
from the sound. your own men were
| none too careful"
Whitlock fiddled with the tassel 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 a little queer. What do
you think. lieutenant?"
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
Harwood; indeed. / am perfectly will
Ing to accept her statement. But this
| man is not a civilian--he is q soldier:
he has had military training. He
should be made to account for him
self. sir" The speakers eyes fel,
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 shufiled forward, looking
woebegone and miserable, his cheek
disfigured 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.
Zone of Cowan's gang?"
God be praised--no. Made to serve
that human tlend by force. ! am q
minister of the Gospel"
"You!" The lieutenant broke into
laugh. by Jove. you fit the part.
Whitlock. did you ever hear of the
fellow"
The captain rubbed his glasses.
Are you the Baptist preacher at
Cane Ridge?" he asked doubtfully.
For twenty years l 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 son. The father was q
Christian and gentleman"
And rebel, presumed"
Judge Wyatt died before the break.
ing out OF the war, sir. but was known
throughout these parts as Unionist."
There was a silent pause. Whitlock
fumbling at his eyeglasses, Raymond.
perplexed frown on his face, staring
first at Nichols and then at me, az
though more than half convinced he
was being made fool of. The girl
had seated herself in chair. and was
leaning forward, her face hidden. The
lieutenant turned and strobe across
the room. glancing out the window:
then back again.
"Well, we cannot remain here dis.
cussing the matter" he said tartly. "If
we do we may have real fight on our
hands before we are safely back In
Lewisburg." He planted himself
|, sQuarely In front Of me. See here,
1t 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 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 Lieutenant
Harwood's uniform"
We were still looking defiantly ut
each others eyes when trooper an
peared In the open doorway. saiuted,
and said something In low tone to
Whitlock, failed TO catch the words