Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-02-10

line! To believe In my purpose. or had
the words Of betrayal spoken BY Anse
Cowan and Kelly left . sting Of 80,
| picion behind? II they had, would !
dare to confess the truth, fully reveal
my identity. and thus leave the fate
LOT my secret mission in her handss
Her sympathies must naturally b
with the Union forces; she would see
the issues from the viewpoint OF her
father. That would have nothing to
DO with these bandtttt. but later might
greatly interfere with the work 70
which ! had been assigned. I had two
duties to perform-to the army. and 70
this helpless girl; which WAS para
mount II by any chance they clashed9
II could not answer. but did comprs.
bend which came Arnt--l must save
Noreen Harwood nom the merciless
clutch Of Anse Cowan. I must remain,
with her loyalty, until she was safe nj
1.-The protection Of friends. Possibly q
lcould accomplish this, and sttll retain
my secret.
"Is there any other way ont OF here.
Miss Noreen?" asked. scarcely above
q whisper. ANY opening leading to the
roof"
Il have never seen one, though often
up here when WAS child"
"Then our only means of escape ID
by the ladder, and we dare not venture
that until assured those fellows have
really left. Do you hear any SOUND
below?"
We both listened In breathlsss 81
lence. but no noise reached us with
any distinctness. thought caught
the echo Of voice. but 1t sounded
from outside the house-possibly
someone yelling report from the
stable.
"shall risk explorins?" l asked
doubtfully. There is surely no one
| on this floor except Nichols, and 1
judge he has been knocked out for
some time. We can hardly wait here
for him to recover. and give us freo
passage. What action do you think We
ought to take?"
Il certainly have no desire to re-
main here longer than is necessary"
she answered calmly, '.but do not be.
lieye those men have all left the house.
Some may be outside In tho storm
searching for trace of US, but there are
others surely on guard below. Did
you hear that? A knife fell on tho
floor; someone is eating in tho diaine
room"
Il am going to lift the scuttle; pos.
sibly some light may filter up the
stairs"
was obliged to loosen 1t by the In
sertion of my knife blade. yet the
clamp yielded with but little noise,
and l peered eagerly down the open
ing. There was . lamp burning in the
lower hall, the reflection sufiiciently
bright to reveal the general situation.
No men were visible, nor did I hear
any voices in conversation. One thing
was certain-the upper hall was com
pletely deserted. for could sec along
it's entire length. lifted my head, and
glanced back to where the girl 70.
manned silent. and motionless. My
eyes, long accustomed to the darkness,
could distinguish her outlines, even
the dim contour Of her face. she sat
upright on the rough flooring, appar-
emily regarding me intently.
DO you find the way loft clear?"
$50 far as the upper hall Is con-
cerned-yes. There is . light burn
ing below, although can perceive no
movement. They may be in the dining
room, but do not believe they Will
search up here again"
"No?" The slight rising injection
stung me. What did her action meau7
Why should she 90 suddenly assume
that tone with met The sooner knew
the better.
II beg your pardon, Miss Harwood,' :.
said quietly. "but fail to understand
why you should speak to mo Ia this
manner. You have shown conndencp,
trust, in my former efforts to serye
you, and am Just ~ eager now to ba
Of service
"You mean you wish mo to have
complete confidence In youe"
| Certainly. I can do nothing other.
WISE"
There was an instant OF silence, in
i which her breathing was plainly audi
BILE. Beneath the shadow Of an upiift.
ed hand felt that her eyes were upon
my face.
Very we'll, then" she said finally,
her voice more expressive Of interest.
ut Is surely no more than natural that
should desire to know whom have
the honor Of talking with"
But do you not know"
/ mo" firmly and decisively. "You
heard what those men said-yet you
60 on pretending to me. You are the
officer they referred to. are you not?."
Eyes; escaped when Fox's com.
mand was attacked"
"You were an officer In Captain
Fox's troop?"
NO: joined him by accident at
Hot Springs"
Under what name?"
The utter uselessness of attemptius
to lie was apparent. Her questions
were too direct, too STRAIGHTFORWARD,
for any further evasion. The slightest
quibbling now would cost me her
friendship forever. II I hesftated, It
was scarcely noticeable.
Under the name" I replied quietly,
"of Charles H. Raymond, Lieutenant
Third U. s. cavalry, ON recruiting
service"
/, "Oh!" the exclamation burst forth In