The Rice belt journal., 1916-03-03

| '"0 eouHu, your own men we're
none too careful"
"hltIock tiddled with the tassel OF
MS sword, evidently far from satisfied
u'mseIf, yet unwilling to make final
decision unaided
J hardly know just what to d." he
confessed reluctantly. "Ordinarily.
you know. Iady's word would be suf.
hc1ent. but somehow. I-I-welf this
looks just a little queer. What do
you think. lieutenant?"
That the fellow ought to be taken
beiore Major Hawes and made to ex.
plain what purpose brought him here.
| have no desire to question Miss
Harwood; indeed am perfectly will.
ing TO accept her statement. But this
man is not a civilian-he is g soldier:
he has bad military training He
should be made to account for him.
self. sir" The speakers eyes fell.
upon the preacher huddled back in
the corner, now clearly revealed by
the gray daylight which was stealing
IN through the windows "HullO! here
seems to be yet another specimen we
nave overlooked Who are you?"
Nichols sbutFed forward. looking
woebcgone and miserable, his cheek
distigured by Cowals blow, sneak
and coward written all over him His
shifting eyes met mine, and he must
have read in my gaze threat he dare
not ignore. Twice his mouth opened
and closed before he could make
words issue.
"One of Cowars gang?"
God be praisedS-no Made to serve
that human ieDd by force. am
minister of the Gospel"
"YOu!" The lieutenant broke into
laugh. by Jove, you fit the part.
Whitlock, did you ever hear of the
fellow?"
The captain rubbed his glasses.
Are you the Baptist preacher at
Cane Ridge?" he asked doubtfuIly.
For twenty years | have minis.
tered to that congregation; the young
woman can vouCh for my labor"
Then, presume you are also &C.
quainted with this telowH" ques.
toned Raymond impatiently
Nichols turned his glance again in
my direction but his gray face was
devoid OF interest.
81 have no knowledge OF the young
man." he asserted soemnly. but
knew the old Judge we'll The resem
blance is strong, and have no doubt
but he is a son The father was
Christian and a gentleman"
And rebel, presume?"
Judge Wyatt died before the break.
ing out OF the war, sir. but was known
throughout these parts as a Unionist
There was a silent pause. WhitIock
fumbling at his eyeglasses, Raymond
perplexed frown on his face, staring
first at Nichols and then at me, as
though more than half convinced he
was being made fool Of The girl
had seated herself In a chair, and was
leaning forward. her face hidden The
lieutenant turned and strobe across
the room, glancing out the window;
then back again
We'll. we cannot remain here dis.
cussing the matter" he said tartly. az
we do we may have real fight on our
hands before we are safely back in
Lewisburg." He planted himself
squarely in front of me. See here.
1t Is time you did some talking You
haven't opened your mouth yet"
There has been no OCCASION" re.
piled pleasantly. The others have
told all you need to know without my
even being questioned.
u have a mind to search you." he
retortcd, completely losing his temper.
AT your pleasure. lieutenant"
spoke coldly enough, although there
was a catch In my throat at sudden
memory OF the paper ! bore contain
ing his name And there Is no guess
ing what you might find in Lieutenant
Harwood's uniform"
We were still looking deiantIy at
each others eyes when q trooper ap.
peared in the open doorway. saIuted
and SAID something In a low tone to
WhitlOck failed TO catch the words
spoken. but heard the captain answer
Certainly. corporal. have him come
up at once"
The soldier disappeared down the
hall, and the lieutenant stepped
back across the room. Bending his
head to whisper something privately
into Whitlock's ear My eyes fol
lowed his movement and then sough,
the face of the girl; she sat motion.
less, the long lashes shading her eyes.
the only visible sign OF excitement
the swift rise and fall OF her bosom
Then a man came hastily into the
room through the opened door My
heart leaped into my throat at sight
Of him-he was Captain Fox.
CHAPTER XIV.
A Prisoner.