Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-03-16
CHAPTER XIV.
i Choose Death.

Suo006 OS6xUs
1 knew the town we'll, and few
changes had occurred since last l
walked those streets hand in hand
with my father. It had not grown any
larger, and thus far the war had
wrought little damage. The most Of
life In the sleepy old town centered
about the Frost hotel. three-story
wooden structure. where the officers
OF the garrison lodged, and the court
house. dignified edifice of red brick,
block beyond, where In other days
my father presided on the bench, now
completely surrounded by a military
& camp. There were more Federal SOL
diers here than had expected to see.
but remark exchanged between two
Of my guard informed me that most
OF these had arrived during the night
- regiment OF Ohio troops. and =
battery Of light artillery, destined to
assist in contemplated attack on
Coyington.
The head of our little column halted
IN front OF the hotel, but Whitlock
shouted a command to the sergeant,
and we rode on past, the guard closing
up tightly. ! kept my face straight
! ahead, determined to make no sign.
but, nevertheless, had glimpse Of
Noreen, standing at her horses head,
and, for an instant felt certain her
eyes we're resting on me. Then Ray
!, mond spoke to her, touching her
sleeve Familiarity with his hand to at
tract attention, and she smiled up into
his face, as if in answer to some witty
remark. This was the last glimpse I
I, had as we clattered on down the
street.
At the courthouse steps the SER
geant turned me over to the officer Of
the day, and was marched into the
basement. The old Jail had evidently
been burned, for l could see the roof
had fallen in, and the stone walls
were blackened with smoke, but the
I lower story of the courthouse was bas-
tile enough, the windows barred, the
walls strong and thick. The place in
which they thrust me had at one time
protected the county records, was per-
haps nine feet square. with one mar
row window high up in the wall, and
an iron door. The floor and waiis
We're of stone, and the ceiling beyond
reach. A soldier threw in box. to be
utilized as seat, together with q
couple OF blankets.
There, Johnny" he said carelessly,
Il guess you'll stay here till you're
wanted. There'll be some grub along
after awhile"
The iron door Changed behind him,
and heard the sharp click Of q heavy
lock, then regular steps passing back
and forth across the. stone floor, proof
that a sentinel had peen posted. There
seemed little need of one as sat
SSdOWn on the box and stared discon.
Z s0lately about. The window afforded
ample light, but no hope of escape.
The shelves on which had once re-
posed the records of Green Briar
county were of iron, as safeguard
against fire, with sheet of iron Ct
their back, concealing the wall be.
hind. My heart gave sudden leap.
AS boy had played about this
building, invading every nook and cor.
ner. could even recall when those
shelves were first installed, and had
{ sat almost where / was sitting then,
and watched the workmen bolt them
into their present position. It was be.
fore my father bought the place out
q on the ridge, and we were living only
q block down the street. Those shelves
arested against the big chimney, and
there was an opening leading into It,
across which they had nailed tin
protector before they fastened the
iron to the wall.
II ] could once get in behind that
iron plate the way out would not be
, such hard or difficult one to travel.