Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-03-30

ssoS AA0 AolAOW ~ NATURALLY VllUlC.
tive enough. but surely could not har.
boz personal dislike over so small a
matter" He paused hesitatingly, as
though doubtful OF the propriety of
pressing an inquiry. Il trust you will
pardon me. Wyatt, but have Won
dered IL there was not some trouble
existing between you relative to the
friendship of Miss Harwood."
THAT would appear impossible"
replied. somewhat surprised, for my
being with her was entirely acciden-
tai"
yes. SO she insists; but 1 know
Raymond 10 deeply interested in the
gtra. Someone told me he actually
proposed to her 1T West Point and
sought this detail in hope of meeting
her again. Tho occurrence which
aroused my suspicion that he felt q
personal grudse against you was this
III know he promised her to use his
influence to have you sent to Charles
ton for trial. but instead he urged
Colonel Pickney to exercise his own
authority. CHANGED to be in the next
room, and overheard. have not seen
the young lady since"
My mind worked rapidly. That
Raymond was treacherous was prob
ably true. Noreen had treated him
with marked coldness. There could
be no great degree Of intimacy between
them. or she would have chosen him
In this emergency rather than Captain
Fox. But she had revealed to neither
ohlcer the fact of our marriage; it
was not SO much as suspected.
"How is 1t, Wyatt?" Fox asked. as l
failed to speak. Should Miss Har-'
wood be informed of the lieutenant's
action?"
by no means, captain. l doubt If
she really trusted the fellow even
whom she made him a messenger"
so do l, for later she went herself"
ITO Colonel Pickney?"
Eyes. an hour ago. after Raymond
returned with his report. was at
the hotel, and saw her slip out the
side door. Colonel Pickney has head,
quarters in the big stone house oppo-
site the courtyard, and had the curl.
osity to watch. She was inside nearly
half an hour, and returned by way Of
the side street. Then she sent for,
me-"
"she told you the result of her inter
view?"
1T was not even mentioned, but
know she had met with no success.
She seemed distressed, but was anx-
ious that you should know at once the
seriousness Of your position. and the
only hope Of escape offered you"
My heart was beating fiercely at
this direct evidence Of her interest In
my affairs. She had even humbled
herself to beg for me . chance; per-
haps. to Colonel Pickney she had even
confessed the truth in hope of chang
ing his decision. But the effort had
proved useless; he had named terms,
which she evidently considered unwor-
thy.
what hope?" l asked coldly. "You
mean the terms offered me before?"
He bowed Sravely, but without
speaking.
And did Miss HARDWOOD request you
to urge my acceptance?"
"By no means. Her purpose was to
acquaint you with the conditions, to
relieve your suspense, and permit you
to realize her friendliness. was to
toll you this frankly. but not to urge
any decision upon you"
"And I thank you, Captain Fox, and
beg you to express to her my appre-
citation Of her kind loyalty. My life is
of small account In this struggle. and
its preservation would be no excuse
for treachery."
Fox srasped my hand firmly in both
Of his own.
Il am glad of your decision. Wyatt"
he said earnestly. II had no doubt
Of what it would be: nor do / think
she had. Is there anything can do?
Any comfort can add?"
"Only one: would ask of Miss
Harwood single. favor. 1t is that she
write my mother the conditions of
my death-a woman can do that best"
81 can promise you 1t shall be done.
sincerely wish, Wyatt, we had met
under plessanter circumstances. This
10 . sad ending to what might have
been lasting friendship; l confess I
have learned to like you. my boy
"And you, Captain Fox" respond.
ed earnestly. feeling deeply his friend
Illness. and" in spite of every effort
at control my voice faltered, you will
tell Miss Harwood how much her mes
sage Of kindness meant to me"
II certainly will. my Lads that
all? 1t may not be possible for me to
come again"
There is nothing else; Jackson
will learn the truth through other
sources-good-by, and may God guard
you"
"Good-by."
| Our hands chung, our eyes met, and
then he turned away, without ventur.
ing to glance back; the door closed
behind him, and stood staring at it
through blurred vision. l was still
standing there motionless when the
iron barrier opened . few inches, ana
the hand Of soldier pushed a tin
containing food along the floor.
Here's your supper. Johnny, .
srowled voice indistinctly, AN l
guess you won't be bothered any more
tonight"
1 sat on the box, and choked down
what food / could. endeavoring to
drive away the feeling of depression