Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-11-11
CHAPTER X-ContInued.

CHAPTER x-contInued.
was obliged to loosen It by the In
sertion Of my knife blade, yet the
clamp yielded with but little noise.
and | peered eagerly down the open
Ing There was lamp burning in the
lower hall, the reflection sufficiently
bright to reveal the general situation.
No men were visible, nor did hear
any voices in conversation. One thing
was certain-the upper hall was com.
pletely deserted, for could see along
Its entire length. lifted my head, and
glanced back to where the girl re-
manned silent, and motionless. My
eyes, long accustomed to the darkness,
could distinguish her outlines, even
the dim contour of her face. She sat
upright on the rough flooring. appar.
emily regarding me intently.
DO you find the way left clear?"
$50 far as the upper hall is con-
cerned-yes. There is light burn
dng below, although can perceive no
movement. They may be in the dining
room, but | do not believe they will
search up here again."
! MOI? The slight rising infection
stung me. What did her action mean?
why should she so suddenly assume
that tone with me? The sooner knew
the better.
Il beg your pardon, Miss HARDWOOD"
Il said quietly. "but fail to understand
why you should speak to me in this
manner. You have shown confidence.
trust, in my former efforts to serve
you, and / am just as eager now to be
of service"
you mean you wish me to have
complete confidence in your"
Certainly. l can do nothing other.
WISE"
There was an instant Of silence, In
which her breathing was plainly audi
bic. Beneath the shadow of an uplift.
ed hand felt that her eyes were upon
my face.
Very well. them" she said finally,
her voice more expressive of interest.
1T is surely no more than natural that
i should desire to know whom | have
the honor of talking with"
But do you not know?"
NO" firmly and decisively. "You
heard what those men said-yet you
60 on pretending to me. You are the
officer they referred to. are you not?"
Yes; l escaped when Fox's COM
mand was attacked"
you were an officer in Captain
Fox's troop"
NO; Joined him by accident at
Hot Springs"
Under what manner"
The utter uselessness of attempting
to lie was apparent Her questions
were too direct, too Straightforward,
for any further evasion. The slightest
quibbling now would cost me her
friendship forever. II hesitated. it
was scarcely noticeable.
Under the name" replied quietly,
"of Charles H. Raymond. lieutenant
Third u. s. cavalry, on recruiting
service"
"Oh!" the exclamation burst forth in
surprise at my frank avowal. Then
you did not make that up merely to de-
ceive me? You had been passing I'm.
der that name with others. You had
taken 1t for a distinct purpose-a-a
military purpose?"
Il took it." said slowly, and delib-
erately. my eyes looking steadily at
her. because l knew such q Federal
officer had been detailed to service in
this neighborhood. II have taken my
life in my hands to serve the cause of
The South. It was in obedience to the
orders Of my surertors."
Whose orders7"
General Jackson directly; although
Robert q. Lee was present, and gave
final instructions"
Her hands concealed her face, and 1
could judge nothing as to ito expres-
sion; whether. or not. my words had
any weight with her. She sat motion
less. bent slightly forward. At last she
said slowly:
Il know enough of-of army life
to be aware that men are not ordered
to such hazardous work--they are
asked to volunteer. Only a brave man
would assume such risk: only q
man who believed In himself. and his
cause, IL like you better because
you have told me- | believe you are
honest with me now. did not know
what to do. or what to say before. 1
knew you were not Raymond. and that
you were acting iie-but could not
guess ynnr purpose. What made 1t
harder to understand" her voice hest.