The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-11-19

him7"
She leaned her head on her hand,
her eyes thoughtful.
left In charge of banker at Charles
ton--an old friend It would be too
dangerous to carry them about with
him In the field. You see ] do not
know very much about his affairs
she explained. Il was away at school
when the war broke out, and we have
only met briefly since My father did
not talk freely of his personal matters
even to me. learned of his feud with
Cowan by accident
1T was feud them"
"On one side at least. My father
was shot at, and several of our out
houses burned. The trouble arose
over the title to property. Cowan."
| she explained, was squatter on land
which had belonged to our family ever
since my grandfather first settled here.
We had title from Virginia. but the
tract granted had never been properly
surveyed My father had 1t done, and
discovered that Ned Cowan and two of
his sons occupied part of our land
with no legal right"
Her eyes uplifted to my face, and
then fell again, one hand opening and
closing on the back of the chair She
laughed pleasantly.
II hardly know why am telling you
all this family history" she continued
| almost in apology ut is as If talked
to an old friend who was naturally In
| terested In our affairs"
/ Perhaps the manner of our meeting
accounts for It," ! ventured But
truly am more deeply interested than
you imagine. 1t may prove of mutual
advantage for me to know the facts
Did Major HARDWOOD try to force them
from his land?"
"Oh, no. hastily, my father had no
such thought. He tried to help them
to purchase the property at very
small price, and on long time. His
intention was to aid them, but he
found himself unable to convince either
father or sons of his real purpose. They
either could not, or would not, under
stand. Do you realize the reckless,
lawless nature of these mountain
men?"
Eyes. to some extent; they trust no
one"
THAT was the whole trouble. Seem
ingly they possessed but one idea
that II my father was killed they could
remain where they were indefinitely.
Their single instinct was to fight 1t out
with rifles. They refused to either
purchase or leave"
There was silence, as though she
had finished, She had seated herself
on the wide arm of the chair, still fac.
ing me, and could hear the rain beat
ing hard against the side OF the house
Suddenly she looked up into my face
How odd that should talk to you
so freely" she exclaimed. why dc
not even know your name"
Charles H. Raymond"
| could not be certain that the ex
preston of her eyes changed, for they
suddenly looked away from me, and
she stood again upon her feet.
Raymond, you say!" the slightest
hardening of tone apparent, ION re
cruiting service from the Army OF the
Potomac?" She drew quick breath
I'll think have heard the name be
fore. Would you mind IL did ask t.
see your orders?"
mot in the least" ] answered. no
wholly surprised that she should have
heard Of the other. and confident tn,
papers bore would be properly exc
cuted. 81 prefer that you have M
doubt as to my identity"
She took them, and I noted sligh
trembling Of her hands as she held tn,
paper open in her fingers. her eyei
glancing swiftly down the writer
lines.
81 have become quite soldier o
late" she said, and handed the pack
: age back to me. And cannot doub
your credentials. | am very glad tt
meet you. Lieutenant Raymond" ant
she held out her hand cordially. IA
have admitted already, l am Noreel
Harwood"
Whom shall only be delighted t
serve in any manner possible" re
piled calamity, relieved that she wa
; so easily convinced.
ooh, think the service is NOR
likely to be mine. You confessed yo
,, broke in here seeking after food and
fire Down below we may find botf
and 1t will be my pleasure thus t
serve a Federal officer. You have
lamp without"
ION the stairs?"
: She led the way like a mistress l
, her own home, and followed. Their
was a force of character about the gil
. not to be ignored She chose to trea
, me as guest, unlimited, but none tn
I less welcome, position was not r.
:. luctant to accept. | held the lamp a
we went down the stairs together. tn
, rays of light pressing aside the GU
tain of darkness.