Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-10-14

dare to confess the truth, fully reveal
my identity, and thus leave the fate
of my secret mission in her hands?
Her sympathies must naturally be
with the Union forces; she would see
the issues from the viewpoint of her
father. That would have nothing to
do with these banditti, but later might
greatly interfere with the work to
which l had been assigned. I had two
duties to perform-to the army, and to
this helpless girl; which was para
mount if by any chance they clashed?
I could not answer, but did compre-
bend which came frst-1 must save
Noreen Harwood from the merciless
clutch of Anse Cowan. l must remain
with her loyalty, until she was safe in
the protection of friends. Possibly /
could accomplish this, and still retain
my secret.
els there any other way out of here,
Miss Noreen?" I asked, scarcely above
a whisper, amy opening leading to the
roof"
II have never seen one, though often
up here when / was a child
"Then our only means of escape is
by the ladder, and we dare not venture
that until assured those fellows have
really left. Do you hear any sound
| below"
We both listened in breathless 81
lence, but no noise reached us with
any distinctness. 1 thought / caught
the echo of voice, but it sounded
from outside the house-possibly
someone yelling a report from the
stable.
"Shall I risk exploripg?" ! asked
| doubtfully. "There is surely no one
on this floor except Nichols, and /
judge he has been knocked out for
some time. We can hardly wait here
| for him to recover, and give us free
passage. What action do you think we
ought to take?"
81 certainly have no desire to re-
main here longer than is necessary"
she answered calmly, "but do not be-
lieve those men have all left the house.
| Some may be outside in the storm
searching for trace of us, but there are
others surely on guard below. Did
you hear that? A knife fell on the
floor; someone is eating in the dining
ROOM
81 am going to lift the scuttle; pos
sibly ksome light may filter up the
stairs"
I was obliged to loosen it by the in
sertion of my :knife blade, yet the
clamp yielded with but little noise,
and I peered eagerly down The open
ing. There was a: lamp burning in the
lower hall, the reflection sufficiently
bright to reveal the general situation.
No men were visible, nor did I hear
any voices in conversation. One thing
was certain-the upper hall was COM
pletely deserted, for I could see along
it's entire length I lifted my head, and
glanced back to where the girl re-
NAMED 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 a light burn
ing below, although I can perceive no
movement. They may be in the dining
room, but I do not believe they will
search up here again"
"No?" 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.
II beg your pardon, Miss Harwood,"
why you should speak to me in this
manner. You have shown confidence,
trust, in my former efforts to serve
you, and 1 am just as eager now to be
of service"
"You mean you wish me to have
complete confidence in you?"
Certainly. can do nothing other
WISE"
There was an instant of silence, in
which her breathing was plainly audi
BILE. Beneath the shadow of an uplift-
ed hand l felt that her eyes were upon
my face.
VERY we'll, them" she said finally,
her voice more expressive of interest.
ct is surely no more than natural that
/ should desire to know whom / have
the honor of talking with"
But do you not know"
mo-" firmly and decisively. "You
heard what those men said-yet you
go on pretending to me. You are the
officer they referred to, are you not?"
Eyes; I escaped when Fox's COM
mand was attacked"
"You were an officer in Captain
Fox's troop?"
mo; 1 joined him by accident at
Hot Springs"
Under what name?"
The utter uselessness Of attempting
to lie was apparent. Her questions
were too direct, too STRAIGHTFORWARD,
| for oy1y f,,r+ Tho e.; -