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. ard would be discovered
alone in the house. Only my wakeful-
ness, my desire to Investigate. had in
,erfered with the cosnplete 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
gone? 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. I felt
through the pockets of the dead mar
and found knife, keys and roll OF
bills untouched, but not scrap Of pa.
per. On the floor, partially concealed
by one arm, was a 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 a 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, kitchen in con
siderable disorder as though the serv
ant had made no effort to complete his
work: but it's outer door stood I'm
latched. Sam must have gone with
the mountaineer in his hasty flight
must be equally guilty. This wa the
only conclusion possible, and the
knowledge that was left there alone
rendered my own position precarious
HARDWOOD had surely never venturet
into this doubtful region without hav
ing soldiers within call. no doubt Ii
the village. who, if he failed to appea
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 dc
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
cape unobserved, felt my way int
the night with my bundle. This woul
be Federal territory: or if not. a
ready. my nights ride would brin
me well within their lines befor
dawn. slipped instantly out OF tn
soiled suit of gray and donned the in
maculate blue. buckling the belt abou
my waist. and securely hooking tn
saber. Then | scooped out a hole /
the soft dirt and buried the old un
form. tearing my pass into shred!
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 saddl,
| circled the gloom Of the house s
lentlv. and followed the roadway I
the gate
Not light cleaned in any directio
and | could recall no other house nes
nv. While it remained in view | coul
not remove my eyes from the mansio
had lust 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 lyin
against the post. At first ! deemed
a mere shadow, but the animal woul
not respond even to the spur, and
dismounted better to ascertain tt
cause of his fright. The negro la
there. dead as his master, a knii
thrust in his heart. Then 1t was Ia
,or alone who had done the foul dee
There was nothing could do but ft
sviftly through the night. My ON
nositjon was now far too desperate
hermit of my giving any alarm.
seeking to trace the murderer. 10 ia
into Union hands would be my deal
warrant. irrespective OF Harwood
fate. and my duty lay in carrying o.
the orders of ."Cld Jacs." To allo
myself to be captured would %
everything.
rode toward Hot Springs as "a
,dIy as ! dared watchfui OF eVel
deepening shadow, until l came TO u
first struggling houses. These we
dark and silent, and not SO muen as
dog barked as walked my morse ca
tiously forward toward the ma
street. saw but one dim light strea'
irf through an uncurtained window
what looked like a law once. al
nassed close enough to learn that
eroup of men within were piasi'
cards 1t was Mighty probable the
he,onged 20 the majors escort
.Na rIccc uaohEaryeo anu To