The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-01-07
CHAPTER XVI.
Under Death Sentence.

Under 014tH sentence,
II was dreary waiting. for every IN.
usual sound reaching me brought with
II a throb Of fear. That my fate was
already practically settled knew, but
how long the delay might be remained
a problem. Fox. felt convinced.
would use whatever influence be pos
sesssd to delay action. and there was
a faint hope In my mind also that No
reen might even make plea to higher
authorities In my behalf. / dare not
believe she would. but the vague
dream Of such q Thing required again
and again to my mind.
To learn all ] could I dragged the
box to a position below the window,
and standing on It. managed to gain
narrow glimpse without, the vista
revealing q dap OF dirty tent cloth
and part Of an army wagon backed up
against the building. leaving barely
enough space for the guard to pace
back and forth the length Of his beat.
could see his blue-clad legs, with the
white stripe. ercss a2d recross in
front Of me. Itested tho strength of
the iron grating with my hands, but
the bars were firmly .mbedded and
immoyable.
The sun must have been well down
in the west when Fox returned.
had been expecting him, trusting to
his friendly interest. and with a feet
ing hope that Noreen might commits.
sion him to bring me some further
message. Yet,ffe moment I looked
into his face. 81, ldowed by the fading
light. l realized that he brought no
encouraging news. My heart sank.
but I kept smile on my lips.
Il expected to be out Of here be-
fore now" / said meaningly; yet I
Judge from your expression there Is
no reprieve."
"And no hope of one, Wyatt" he an.
swered regretfully. "The evidence
against you Is too strong. The delay
in converting aScourt has been caused
by the scarcity of officers In camp.
Our forage trains are just beginning
to return, but II is now so late that
Colonel Pickney has decided to hold
you prisoner until morning. I waited
until the order was issued before com
ing here. The court-martial Is set for
eight o'clock"
II am thankful for even that delay
There is. l presume no doubt as to
the result?"
None, so far az I can learn. You
are a soldier. Wyatt. and may as well
face the truth. l have urged mercy
on Colonel Pickney, until he finally
ordered me to drop the subject. He
is a strict disciplinarian. bit of Q
martinez, indeed. and inclined to take
the advice of q regular army ofilcel
in such matters, rather than rely OF
volunteers. Has Raymond any spe
cial reason to dislike you?"
"only that ! impersonated him IL
this masquerade"
Bah! that was mere chance. thu
selection OF his name from the arm!
list. The fellow is naturally vindic
tive enough, Int surely could not haI
Dor personal ANslike over SO small
matter" INFUSED hesitatingly, a
though d. dot ths propriety 9
pressing an ysdiry. Il trust you WI
pardon me, Wyatt, but I have wor
dered II there was not some troubl
existing between you relative to tn
friendship OF Miss HARDWOOD"
"That would appear impossible"
replied, somewhat surprised, "for m
being with her was entirely accider
tall"
Eyes, SO she insists: but kno'
Raymond Is deeply interested In tn
girl. Someone told me he actual
proposed to her at West Point, an
sought this detail In hope Of meetin
her again. The occurrence whic
aroused my suspicion that he felt
personal grudge against you was thl
Il know he promised her to use hl
influence to have you sent to Charles
ton for trial. but instead he urge
Colonel Pickney to exercise his ow
authority. CHANGED to be In the ne,
room, and overheard. have not see
the young lady since"
My mind worked rapidly. Ths
Raymond was treacherous was pro-
ably true. Noreen had treated hill
with marked GOODNESS. There coul
be no great degree Of intimacy betwee
them, or she would have chosen hill
in this emergency rather than Capital
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