Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-01-06

49, ehO0C mCA Out WOuIu 6inuiy w ~
but it is already too late for any
such attempt. But there is a chance
for you, and it is even barely possible
that, when all hope of defense is over,
l may find some way of joining YOU"
"You-you promise that?" she asked
If consent to go, you-you will come
later if you can?"
Eyes: 1 will pledge myself to accept
every chance, when l can do no more
fighting. I'll come to you, if l 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 amt tibet kind he whined.
'Oh 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 keep
the revolver ready. Make him unscrew
way. Set the candle down in one cor
ner as far back as possible You bet
ter go out first"
Il am not to wait for you?" be-
wildered.
mot in there-no; outside, for they
might fire the building. Nichols,
where is the best place for the two of
you to hide so 1 could find you?"
I'm the woods to the west; there is
trail half way down the ravine a
climbin up-an OF hog trail"
My fingers touched his throat, and
bent lower staring straight into his
eyes,
Nov, mark we'll what L say,
Nichols. l am going to release you,
and give you chance to get away.
But you stay with the woman-do you
hear! Stay with her until you both
reach the Confederate lines at Coving-
ton. If l ever get out of here alive,
and learn you have attempted any
trick, I'll run you down, Nichols, if it
takes ten years. Now I'll cut the rope,
and you creep over to where that ring
is in the floor, and wait my ORDER
Evidently his limbs were numb from
the tight cord, for he crept the few
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,
endeavoring to locate the men nearest
u.s. Only one stood close enough to
observe our movements, and l sent
him with a message to the sergeant.
"Now, Noreen," whispered swiftly,
"this is the best time. Take these pa
pers; they are for Jackson; give them
to the first Confederate officer you
meet, and have them forwarded at
once Don't trust Nichols for a single
moment out of range Of your revolver %
"You will not Gomez"
mot now; you would not wish me
to desert my comrades-would your
ooh, | do not know! l do not know.
1t is so hard to decide. You really
wish me to go? 1t will please your
Yes"
And you will come tiff you can a?
L am TO Walt, dnu-duQ nope lOf you
81 pledge you my word, dear girl
She chung to my hands, her face up
lifted in the moonlight
II am your wife," she said softly,
and II want you to-"
Three shots rang out clear and dis
tinct without, and a voice shouted
hoarsely.
Stand to it, lads!" cried Harwood
from the dark vestibule. ''The Yanks
are coming!"
l swung her light form across the
| platform to where Nichols crouched
"Quick now, both of you! Careful;
| don't fall, Noreen! Go on, man; I'll
close the trap-and God help you il
| you don't remember!"