The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-02-18
j COoK3fcHy
7AcHec N9f t0
chAPTER xxlII-contInued.

IL
Permit me TO answer for myself.
Lieutenant Harwood."
"Noreen Harwood! Why, II takes
ne OF my feet. How comes 1t you are
lere?"
my father II dead" she answered
simply, the brightness vanishing from
1er face. "He was killed only few
lays ago"
Il regret to learn that. cousin" and
be held out his hand. who Is this
man. and why are you here with him.
HE has told you the TRUTH" she an
swered quietly. her hand still within
bis. Il have known him from child
hood. IL am his wife,"
There was a moment OF silence, OF
hesitation. l heard the soldiers NOV
Ing about the room. and the murmur
Of voices speaking cautiously. Then
HARDWOOD released her hand. and ex'
tended his own to me. his eyes frank
and cordial.
Il accept you on faith. comrade." he
said pleasantly, "but there Is a spare
gray jacket strapped to my saddle
yonder more becoming than that blue
coat. Saint Christopher! but tbs a
most happy family reunion we're hav
ing; I'll want the story presently. but
now ! must look to my men. It's no
easy game we are playing"
Let me understand that. lleuten
lant," exclaimed. as he turned away
''How does 1t happen you are here
and for what purpose?"
"A wild plan of my own. aided anf
abetted by the commander at Coving
ton. We are Of the garrison there,
he explained briefly, his glance search
ing out the dim interior. ''The Yam
KEGS have forage train out as far al
Hot Springs. ! got permission for {
dash to cut them of. We took thu
cutoff. and landed here about daylight
The train should have been along be
fore now. but there Is no sign Of 1t.
You have been In hiding here al
day. and seen nothing?"
oh! we've seen enough" and b,
laughed. "But nothing we cared I,
measure swords with. The road yon
der appears popular. but, by good luck
no Yankee shows an eagerness to al
tend church. There was gang o
mountain men along by here mayb
two hours ago who rode up to tn
door. and took look at the shebanl
Whether they we're Yank or Reb
didn't know. Anyhow. we were willin
enough to see them pass on out {
sight. They looked and talked q
though they we're spelling for fight.
How many? z"
Thirty or forty-a right SINAI
crowd. There were only two came Vi
and rode round the church--a big fe
low with red beard, and little wei
zel-faced fox he called Kelly"
Eyes. know them; they we're hun
ing after us. Did they go on east?"
. They did. 30 has everyone els
we've seen today. That's what pu
. zled US, as to just what might be u
: | reckon you must be some populs
to create such furore. Why, q
} hour after sunup whole blame cor
: pany Of bluecoats went by. riding iii
mad. their horses dripping. and
, young fellow squirting them on. He
, lost his hat, and they never so muC
|. as took a side look at this sheban
/. They were in some hurry. my friend
. And neither party has returned
, Not sign OF them"
> what force have you here?"
"Twenty-eight enlisted men"
! "You have pickets out?"
, "0ne man each way. a mile dow
the road. concealed. The tower |
there commands the country In boI
, directions"
|. And your horses?"
Hidden In the grove yonder."
| grasped the situation clear
enough. and also comprehended Il
. reckless nonchalance of the office
What was his purpose-his prese
plan? 1t appeared to me that Il
.. conditions warranted retreat, bal
: along the unfrequented mountain trs
by which this daring party OF adve
turers haducome. The troops, as We
as the guerrillas, must have disco
cred by this time that we were not
advance of them. They would retu
searching every nook and corner
hope of discovering our hiding plaC
They might even unite their force
: impelled as they we're by the same d
: sire. and thus become truly formidab
r Personal hatred Of me and the wish