The Holly chieftain., 1915-12-31

reckon as how you got the wrong
house."
mo. I reckon not" said the other
drily. Git long in. an tell him Jem
Taylor is yere."
The door opened wider.
"Suah. know you now. sab. Just
step right long in, the both Of yer.
Ill look after them horses. You'll fin
Massa Harwood in the dinin' room.
sah."
l followed the mountaineer up the
steps. and into the hall. utterly indif-
ferent as to whether my company was
desired or not. 1t was not yet dark.
but lamp burned on a nearby table.
and cheerful fire glowed at the far
ther end. But brighter glow Of light
streamed from a room beyond. and.
determined to miss nothing. was SO
close behind Taylor that my quick
eyes caught what l believed to be a
swift signal of warning to the man
within. This, however, was an i'm
preston born from my own suspicion,
rather than any real movement, for
Taylor took but single step across
the threshold. and stopped, leaning on
his gun. The single occupant sat up
right. before him the remnants Of q
light repast. his hand toying with q
spoon. and his eyes shifting from Tay.
lor's face to my own. He was
heavily built and broad Of shoulder.
The face would have been hard, but
for a CLEAN of good humor in the
eyes, and the softening effect Of gray
hair. and q gray mustache. The man
had aged greatly. yet recognized him
instantly, my heart throbbing with
the possibility that also might be re-
membered. Yet surely there was no
gleam OF recollection in the eyes that
surveyed me-and why should there
be? I had been an uninteresting lad
Of fifteen when we last met. This
knowledge gave me courage to meet
that searching glance. and to lift my
hand In the salute due to an officer of
rank.
"Ah!" said Harwood in deep voice,
"a soldier from the valley?"
"Yes. SIR" respectfully, "the Sixty.
fifth Virginia"
How does 1t happen you wear ar.
tillery uniform?"
Expecting the question I answered
unhesitatingly.
They'd lost so many gunners, some
Of us were detailed to help. Recruits
are coming in now"
"What was your battery?"
"Staunton Horse artillery. sir"
"Stationed?"
AT Front Royal-that was our win
ter camp"
He nodded. tapping his spoon
against the table. favorably impressed
by my prompt replies. His keen eyes
sought the face Of the silent noun.
taineer.
"You know this man. Taylor?"
"Wal. I can't exactly say thet I
dew, major" he said drawlingly, shift.
ing his feet uneasily. "He says he's a
Cowan. frum over on Buffalo crick." !"
"A Cowan!-you mean"
'No. he don't claim ter be none O.
Oh Ned's brood-his mars a widder
woman. They amt no kin. l reckon" !"
Whatever thoughts might have been
in Major Harwood's mind were con.
cealed by an impassive face, as he sat
there for moment In silence, gazing
at the two Of US.
"No doubt you did what you be.
lieved to be best, Taylor" he said at
last quietly. I'VE will talk 1t over
later. You are both hungry enough
to eat, suppose? Draw up some
chairs and Sam will find something.
No objection to remaining here over
night, Cowan?"
"I'd be glad to get on. sir, but my
horse is about used up. The roads
have been hard and we have travelled
rapidly"
"Well. there IL plenty Of room, and
you are welcome. This house." he en-
planned. belongs to a friend Of mine.
who had to leave the country-too
Yankee for his neighbors. find 1t
rather convenient at times. All, Sam,
that rasher Of bacon looks prime-I1l
try some myself"
The three of us talked upon many
subjects, although Taylor said little.
except when directly addressed, and
noted that few references were
made to the war. That Harwood was
In the Federal service had no doubt
although he was not In uniform. and
If this was true, then it must be also
fact that Taylor was Union spy.
The meeting here had not been by