Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-01-27

Whar the water runs out is at the
south side, right down 'gainst the bot.
tom. Their cover ter the opening Is
screwed tight by wheel or Ned
Cowan made Their contraption an yer
kin stand on Their upper step an open
an shut the thing. an never git yer
feet wet"
And how big Is the open!ngy"
wal. L don't jist know, but I've
crawled through thar fixing leak. an
II did 1t onct, reckon I kin again.
'Taint morn bout six feet beyond Their
wall till 1t hits the edge o. Their ravine
Thet's why the Yanks didn't make no
attack on tibet side o. Their church
thar amt no ROOM
The whole situation lay clear before
me. had no thought OF utilizing this
unexpected opportunity myself. for
meant to stay with the others. and
perform my part OF the fighting to the
end. But here was protection. and
possible escape. for Noreen. Yet could
the preacher be trusted? Would he
play fair IL released him. and left
them alone together? Did not his In.
terests also lie in getting away safe
ly? What act of treachery could he
commit. and. besides the girl was
armed.
How do you light this church,"
Candles mostly" surprised at the
question, yer amt goin' fer ter light
up, are your"
mot here-no: but below: where Is
there one?"
Il reckon on tibet thar shelf In the
pulpit yer'll find a dozen er So"
Bring couple here. Noreen."
She slipped across silently. and
came back with two In her hand.
You are going to try to get away!"
she whispered cautiously.
mo, not now. An opportunity may
come later. II it was possible to slip
all these men out would gladly do so
but II is alreaGs too late for any
such attempt. But there Is chance
for you, and 1t Is even barely possible
that, when all hope of defense is over.
/ may find some way of joining you"
"fou-you promise that?" she asked.
IF consent to 60. you-you will come
later IL you can?'
Yes; will pledge myself TO accept
every chance. when | can do no more
fighting. I'll come to you, II | live.
Now, Nichols, listen--I am going to
set you free, and permit you to slip
down through that trap door with this
lady. She is armed. and she knows
how to shoot. Attempt one treacher'
Gus trick and you pay the penalty"
Il sipt tibet kind" he whined.
'Uh, yes you are; but it will never
pay this time. Don't take your eyes
off him, Noreen: the moment that trap
door closes light the candle. and keeI
| the revolver ready. Make him unscreu
the cap. and leave 1t of out OF the
way. Set the candle down In one cor
ner as far back as possible. You bet
I, ter 60 out first"
II am not to wait for your" be
\ wildered.
mot in there-no: outside. for they
might fire the building. Nichols
where Is the best place for the two o
you to hide SO / could find your"
| "In the woods TO the west: these /.
a trail half way down the ravine {
/ climbin' up--an oil hog trail"
! My fingers touched his throat. ant
| | bent lower staring straight into hi
eyes.
Now, mark well what say
Nichols. am going to release you
and give you a chance to get away
But you stay with the woman-do yo'
hear. Stay with her until you boil
reach the Confederate lines at Coying
ton. II / ever get out of here alive
and learn you have attempted an.
trick, IN run you down, Nichols. III
takes ten years. Now I'll cut the rope
and you creep over to where that RIM
is in the floor. and wait my order"
Evidently his limbs were numb from
the tight cord, for he crept the feV
feet painfully. and then sat up rubbing
the afflicted parts with both hands.
swept one glance out through the win
dow, and then about the dim interior
| GnQ6dVOEllS W iOtAtV thc hNA hN@a Go
us. Only one stood close enough 4
observe our movements. and ] sen
him with q m ssage to the sergeant
Now. Nogsen," whispered swiftly
this is highest time. Take these pa
pers; thss are for Jackson: give then
to the rirst Confederate officer 20
meet. and have them forwarded a
once Don't trust Nichols for singl
moment out of range of your revolver.
You will not comet"
Not now: you would not wish m
to desert my would you?
"Oh, do not know! do not know
II Is so hard TO decide. You reali
wish me to gos 1t will please your
Yes"
And you will come tiff you can
am to wait, and--and hope for you
Il pledge you my word. dear girl. /"
She chung to my hands. her face ~
lifted In the moonlight.
| II am your wife," she said softly
and IL want you to"
| Three shots rang out clear and di,
tinct without. and . voice shoute
hoarseiy.