Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1915-12-11
CHAPTER xI.

There was the sound of chairs being
pushed hastily back from a table. and
rapid steps on the floor.
Yes; what's wrong? Have you
found something's"
Sure; Bill an | saw them; they
were tryin' ter git the boss; but
| afore either of US could fire. they
sorter slipped long back O. Their fence.
| an got away. It's darker'n hell out
thar, an Bill sed fer me ter cum In
yere an tell yer that if you EN- Kelly
| wud cut across the road, an sorter
head the cusses of we'd bag the two
| easy"
Whar's the rest of Their boys?"
"Ridin' the Lewisburg pike accordin'
ter orders, l reckon. Leastwise we
amt seen EN- since yer toll US ter
watch Their stable. Bill an l can't
round them up alone"
All right. Dave. Where are they
now?"
In Their orchard, creepin' long
| the fence. BilIs followin' EN- up. an
all you got ter do is run long the road
| an git ter the corner ahead o. EN-
They can't go no other way"
| | caught a glimpse of the two as
/ they crossed the lower hall hurriedly.
The lamp fiickered in the draft of the
/ opened door, and one fellow swore
roughly, as he stumbled over some OBJ
stacle. Then the door closed, and the
fame steadied. In the silence we could
hear again the beating Of rain on the
roof over head.
Who do you suppose they could
have seen?" she asked.
Shadows likely enough. Let them
| hunt We know now the house is de-
| serted, and can find more comfortable
quarters-perhaps even slip away be-
fore anyone returns. You will 20
with me?"
"Of course; l am not afraid of Tom
Wyatt"
We passed the ladder down slowly.
and carefully, until the lower end rest
ed securely on the floor below. II
Nichols had recovered from the effect
/ of the severe blow. he had made no
sound, and | had almost forgotten his
presence. l drew back. and permitted
/ the lady TO descend first, holding the
/ upper supports firmly until her feet
| touched the floor. II was a struggle
| for me TO force my larger bulk through
| the narrow opening. but / succeeded
| finally. and stood beside her. In the
/ brighter light / could perceive more
| clearly the expression Of the girls
| face, realized the friendliness of her
| eyes. My frank confession had won
me her confidence; no matter where
| her sympathy might be in this war
| struggle my allegiance TO the cause of
/ the South was no serious barrier be-
| tween us: even the fact that was
masquerading there in a stolen uni.
| form and under an assumed name, had
/ not greatly changed her trust in an old
/ playmate My heart beat faster to this
knowledge, yet, in some way. although
! rejoiced. the recognition brought
with it a strange embarrassment
1T sounds as though the storm was
harder than ever" she said. Where
shall we go?"
My choice would be TO hide In one
of these rooms. for the present, at
/ least. We could scarcely hope to get
the horse out of the stable unseen.
and, even If We did. we would be like
| ly to ride into some Of the gang"
But they will return to the house"
Before they leaye-yes; but it is
hardly probable they will search I'D
here again Anse will be In nl-humor
enough when he decides We have real
| ly escaped, but will never imagine that
our hiding place is in the house. They
will give up by daylight, and then the
way viii be clear"
And where will you go?"
why" in surprise Il could not
leave you alone until placed you in
the care Of friends"
AT Lewisburg, you mean?"
IF that is where you wish to 60
Her eyes met mine frankly, but with
an expression in their depths failed TO
fathom.
Not wearing that uniform" she
said quietly. or under the name OF
Lieutenant Raymond DO not misun-
derstand. There is friendship between
us-personal friendship. the memory
OF the past. q knowledge Of the init
macy between your father and nine.
More. I am grateful 70 you for the
service you have been 20 me this
night; nor do hold II against you that
you risk your life in the cause for
which you fight But am Union, Tom
Wyatt, and cannot help you in your
work. nor protect you. When day
Bght comes l am going to say good-b by
and forget that have even seen
you"
But" protested, why could We
not part II We must at Levisburs,
after I know you are SAFE"
There are Federal troops at Lewis
ourg. They know me. and their com
mander is aware Of my acquaintance
with the officer whose name you have
assumed"
Vet In measure 81 least you