Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-11-04
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Copyright by A. c. McClurg g. Co.
CONTINUED

Really, Lieutenant Raymond" the
girl said, fronting him, her eyes
sparkling, this is becoming most tire,
some. What do I care what uniform it
is! | have told you where it came
from, how it CHANGED to be there, and
the reason it 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?
II know where it was" she an
swered cOolly. Hanging before the
fireplace in the dining room. How
ever | cannot guarantee that it re-
mains there now-this house has been
Quilted by Cowans guerrillas, 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.
81 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 little queer. What do
you think lieutenant 2"
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
HARDWOOD; indeed, | am perfectly will
ing to accept her statement But this
man is not civilian-he is a soldier;
he has had military training. He
should be made to account for him
self, sir" The speakers eyes fell
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 you?"
Nichols shuff1ed forward, looking
Woebegone and miserable, his cheek
.disfigured by Cowans 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.
"One of Cowan's gang?"
God be praised-no. Made to serve
that human fiend by force. l am
minister of the Gospel"
"You!" The lieutenant broke into
a 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 I have minis
tered to that congregation; the young
woman can vouch for my labor"
Then, l presume you are also ac-
quainted with this fellow" ques-
toned Raymond impatiently.
Nichols turned his glance again in
my direction, but his gray face was
devoid of interest.
htNe uO huOWIeQS0 OF the young
man. he asserted solemnly, "but l
knew the old judge well. The resem-
blance is strong, and l have no doubt
but he is son. The father was a
Christian and a gentleman"
And a rebel, l presume?"
Judge Wyatt died before the break
ing out Of the war sir, but was known
throughout these parts as a Unionist."
There was a silent pause, Whitlock
fumbling at his eyeglasses, Raymond.
a perpleXed frown on his face, staring
first at Nichols and then at me, as
though more than half convinced he
was being made a fool of. The girl
had seated herself in a chair, and was
leaning forward, her face hidden. The
lieutenant turned and strobe across
the room, glaneing out the window;
then back again
well, we cannot remain here dis
cussing the matter" he said tartly. 'Tf
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,