Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-10-07
CHAPTER ".
Into the Enemies Hands.

Into the Enemies Hands.
The major lay dead, with my blood
stained revolver evidently the
weapon which had struck the blow
lying beside him. Dawn would reveal
lhe deed. and ! would be discovered
alone in the house. Only my wakeful.
ness. my desire to investigate. had in
terfered with the complete success of
this hideous plan. Taylor had pre-
pared himself for this emergency, had
deliberately taken the weapon for that
very purpose. Where had the fellow
gomez And what had become of the
negro?
stood there. lamp in one hand and
revolver In the other staring down at
the dead face CT this man who had
once been my fathers friend. Out OF
the mist floated the face of the girl.
the girl who had waved to ME In the
road. The vision brought back to NE
GOODNESS and determination. ] felt
through the pockets of the dead man
and found knife. keys and a roll OF
per. On the floor. partially concealed
by one arm, was large envelope, un,
addressed. roughly torn open. 1t was
some document. then, the murderer
sought, and he had fed with it in his
possession.
Intent now on my one purpose OF
discovery, my mind active and alert,
began rapid search of the house
The front door was fastened and
barred, proving Taylor had not left
that way. There was but one Other
room on that floor, a kitchen in con
siderable disorder. as though the serv
ant had made no effort to complete his
work: but its outer door stood un
latched. Sam must have gone with
the mountaineer in his hasty flight
must be equally guilty. This wa thu
only conclusion possible, and thu
knowledge that | was left there alone
rendered my own position precarious
Harwood had surely never venturet
ing soldiers within call, no doubt IL
the village, who, if he failed to appeal
when expected. would search for him
Before they came, and made discov
cry of the dead body. | must be safel,
beyond reach. If found there, no de
Tense. NO asseveration of innocence
would ever save me from condemna
ton. Their vengeance would be swift
and merciless
Thinking now only of my own es
the night with my bundle. This woul
be Federal territory; or If not. al
ready, my nights ride would brin
me we'll within their lines befor
dawn. slipped instantly out of tn
soiled suit of gray and donned the iH
maculate blue, buckling the belt abou
my waist, and securely hooking tn
saber. Then | scooped out a hole Il
the soft dirt and buried the old un
form, tearing my pass into shreds
scattering the fragments broadcast,
1t was SO lonely and still all abou
that felt a return of confidence,
renewed courage. The house benin
me, and the stable before, were mer
outlines, scarcely discernible throug
the gloom. Once safely in the saddle
| circled the gloom of the house s
lently, and followed the roadway t
the gate
Not a light cleaned in any directio
and | could recall 20 other house nea
by. While it remained in view coul
not remove my eyes from the mansio
had Just left, or forget the dead bod
living there in the dark The shyin
of my horse at the gate caused me
note the black something lynn
against the post At first ! deemed
a mere shadow, but the animal woul
not respond even to the spur, and
dfsmounted better to ascertain tn
cause of his fright. The negro la
there dead as his master, knii
thrust In his heart. Then 1t was Ia.
,or alone who had done the foul dee
There was nothing could do but dc
swiftly through the night My ow
nosition was now far too desperate
hermit of my giving any alarm,
seeking to trace the murderer. To ia
into Union hands would be my deaf
warrant, irrespective OF Harwood
fate, and my duty lay in carrying OF
tho orders of "Cid JACK" To alio
myself to be CAPTURED would pc
everything.
rode toward Hot Springs as ra
,dlv as dared watchfui OF ever
deepening shadow, until came 10 q
FIRST struggling houses. Ihese wei
dark and silent, and not SO much as
dog barked as walked my horse ca
t;ously forward toward the ma
street saw but one dim light streai
irs through an uncurtained windo~
what looked like law office, al
passed close enough to learn that
group of men within were piayii
cards 1t was mighty probable the'
belonged 20 the majors escort
49,, plocc u..ahSpryed au0 FOt