The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-02-11

echoes. sounding afar On 10 the west
ward. Yet these made me nervous tc
get away. and when number sounded
together-almost = volley, distinctly
audible. FASTENED TO pack what little
remained of food on our horses. and
led the way. fordins the shallow
stream. and guiding my horse up the
opposite bank into the deep shadow Of
the woods beyond. TIE summit Of
the hill vas open. except for a con.
siderable grove to the rear OF the
church. chat edifce appeared. as
remembered 1t. unchanged In any re.
spect-a fairly large building. con.
structed solldly Of losA with square.
clapboarded tower In mont. four win.
dows on each side. Containing small
panes OF glass. a number of them
broken. We were at tie rear. which
showed larger window. and a mar.
row door at one ccrnes protected by
a porch. II appe redt desolate and
deserted. the lone ned aeeentuated
by the empty hitch z hicks on either
side.
We advanced ~ side along
what was once vel iErodden path,
making no attem al coueealment.
Indeed. any such efort would have
been useless, as Il cre# of the ridge
lay open. and bare 81 Vegetation, but I
was SO fully conv ed We were unob-
served that | tool no recanti on-my
entire thought, In cd center d upon
the girl at my u
The heavy late otl be fr at door
lifted easily to be fessun of my
hand. and we st ned into / narrow
vestibule. Noree r4bing ny arm
neryously. as she isceHth J ladowed
interior of the de red build &. Some
instinct of cautit eau, Ia mi to close
the door behind IS. al then drew
her forward. la aind at tsr fears.
until we obtained silmi,e of he larger
room, already / conf. obs cured by
the approaching light. !. was a rather
shabby-looking lace, not ovt rly clean,
even in that mrrolful dimnt So. Rude
benches. withol backs, str stched al
most from wall 10 vail, & ms row aisle
leading to the pulpit, set wi hin an al.
cove. and scarrely dlscernl,l lie except
in barest outliI 3. rec 4 lied a big
Bible. lying op n on the aunt pulpit
stand. A boo Of some hind, dogs
cared and coverless, Jay N the floor
at my feet, and l bent h pick It up.
As l came upright again. . man
stepped from the shadow Of corner,
and the steel barrel OF revolver
flashed before my eyesl felt Noreen
cringe against me, uttering mufied
cry.
Stand as you ara. Yank." said Q
rather pleasant voice. Pardon me.
lady"
He was a young fellow, with bold.
black eyes. little, jaunty mustache.
and mouth inclined to laugh. but
what | stared at In open-eyed aston
ishment, was his broad-brimmed hat
and natty gray cavalry Jacket
Some surprise party, Lreckon." he
chuckled grlmly. Herr, Wharton.
kindly relieve the gentleman of his
arsenal; take the lady's GIN. also. It's
all right, boys"
To my unbounded amazement, up
from the floor. where they had been
lying concealed beneath .he benches.
a number of men came scrambling to
their feet. Those nearest me were
gray clad troopers, withlcarbines In
their hands
who. in heavens name you!"
l asked. at last finding M E. "CoB-,
federatea herer -
"Your first guess Is a. excellent
onesr he answered lightly. evidently
enjoying the scene. s,Yor have the
honor of being prisoner lathe Third
Kentucky cavalry. Wharton"
yes, SIR" The sergeant advanced.
Conduct the lady and gentleman to
the sanctlty of the pulpit, sergeant.
where they may commune with the
genius Of this house of wor-
ship erected In the wilderness"
you mean you hold prisoner Par
son Nichols?" asked.
mo doubt It's he. We discovered
the party alone here, and held him
Tor the pleasure Of his company"
"Just a moment. lieutenant" and
laced him squarely, ignoring the grip
Of wharton's hand on my arm.
There is no reason to hold US prison
ers; all there is Yankee about me Is
this uniform. ! have Just escaped
rom the Federal guard at Lewisburg."
His eyes. laughing. yet suspicious.
swept our faces.
I'm not easily fooled" he said. but
'eady enough to learn. Who are you"
Thomas Wyatt. sergeant Staunton
lorse artillery"
by all the gods, 1t soundeth
trange. How came you here?"
ION Jackson's orders. was born
n this county. and because OF that he
hose me to find out the numbers and
disposition of the Federal troops In
his neighborhood, together with some
'ther facts he wished to know. | was
aptured in Federal uniform and held
lnder death sentence as spy.
escaped last night"
And the womanr'
She threw back the cape which had
artially concealed her face. revealing
er bright eyes and flushed cheeks.
.To BE ,coNTINUEpJ
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