The state herald., 1916-05-19

| membered. Yet surely there was no
CLEAN of recollection In the eyes that
surveyed me-and why should there
be? | 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
tlllery uniform?"
Expecting the question l 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. can't exactly say thet |
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"
mo. he don't claim ter be none O.
OIL Ned's brood-his mars a yidder
woman. They amt no kin. reckon"
Whatever thoughts might have been
In Major Harwood's mind were con.
cealed by an impassive face. as he sat
there for a moment In silence. gazing
at the two of us.
mo doubt you did what you be-
lieved to be best, Taylor" he said at
last quietly. 1--WE will talk It 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, Cowanr
u oo Bido W 6et VII, DIT, Uut my
horse is about used up. The roads
have been hard and we have Travelled
rapidly"
well, there 10 plenty OF room, and
you are welcome. This house." he ex.
planned. belongs to friend of mine.
who had to leave the country-too
Yankee for his neighbors. find It
rather convenient at times. All. Sam.
that rasher of bacon looks prime-I'll
wy some myself"
The three OF US talked upon many
subjects. although Taylor said little.
except when directly Addressed N1nd
noted that few references We're
made to the war. That Harwood was
In the Federal service had no doubt
although he was not In uniform. and.
II this was true. then It must be also
fact that Taylor was q Union spy
The meeting here had not been by
chance. although a mystery involved
the hidden reason why !. known
Confederate soldier. had been encour.
aged to accompany the mountaineer
to this secret rendezvous. At last the
meal ended and the major pushed
back his chair and motioned Sam to
clear the table.
you two men are tired out" he said
genially. "and you had better turn In
and get a coed nights sleep. Wen
all OF US ride on into Green Briar to.
morrow I'll talk with you u minute.
Taylor. In the parlor, before you go:
but Cowan does not need to wait. Help
yourselves to the tobacco. Oh. Sam.
show this soldier up to the back bed.
room and see he has everything he
needs"
1t was clearly apparent that Har.
wood desired private word with Tay-
lor and so. after deliberately filling
my pipe, | rose TO my feet. stretching
sleepily. The black returned with a
small lamp in his hand and led the
way up the broad stairs. A moment
later was left alone In n small room
Mt the end OF the upper hall with one
window. so heavily curtained ms prob.
ably to render the light invisible from
without The door was securely
laeched. but there was no lock. Then
! was not being held prisoner.
After some minutes extinguished
the light. and looked out OF the win.
dow. II was quite drop. though not
necessarily dangerous one. to tho
ground. Those dim outlines OF build
ings were probably the stables, where
! would md my horse. With no guards
the trick OF getting away unobscrved
would be easy enough. and knew the
road sufficiently well to follow II safe.
ly. But ! desired TO learn first what
these two men were actually up to.
Such information might prove more
Important than my Investigations in
Green Briar stole across to the door
and opened II noiBclosaly. There was
no one visible In the upper hall. and
! leaned over tho stair rail gazing
down, and listening. A light still
burned within tho dining room. but
there was no sound OF voices. or OF
movement,