The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-03-10
CHAPTER XIV.
] Choose Death.


knew the town we'll and few
changes had occurred since last
walked those streets hand in hand
WIN my father. 1t had not grown any
larger, and thus far the war had
wrought little damage. The most of
Ire In the sleepy old town conferred
aDout the Frost hotel, a three-story
wooden structure, where the officers
OF tue garrison lodged. and the court
mouse. dlgnified edifice of red brick.
dock beyond, where in other DAYS
my father presided on the bench, now
completely surrounded by a military
camp. Ihere We're more Federal SOL
dlers here than had expected to see
out remark exchanged between two
oI my guard Informed me that most
OF these had arrived during the night
"a regiment of Ohio troops. and
battery of light artillery, destined to
assist In contemplated attack on
Covington.
The head of our istle column halted
In front of the hotel, but Whitlock
shouted a command to the sergeant,
ana we rode on past, the guard closing
up tightly. l kept my face straight
anead. determined to make no sign,
but, nevertheless, had a glimpse of
Noreeu. standing at her horses head.
and. fur an instant, l felt certain her
eyes were 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
had as we 4clattered on down the
street
At the courthouse steps the SER
geant turned me over to the officer of
the day. and l was marched into the
basement. The old Jail had evidently
been burned, for / could see the roof |!
had fallen in, and the stone walls |
were blackened with smoke, but the |
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
al iron door. The floor and walls
were OF stone, and the ceiling beyond
reach. A soldier threw in box, to be
utilized as seat, together with a
couple. Of blankets, .,..ls.n..4
There, Johnny" he said carelessly.
Il guess you'll stay here till you're
wanted. There'l be some grub along
after awhile"
!, The iron door changed behind him,
Ind heard the sharp click Of heavy
lock. then regular, steps. passing back
and forth across the. stone foor proof
that sentinel had Deen posted. There
seemed little need of one as l. sat ]
lown on the box and stared discon- |
Dolately about The window afforded | ,
simple light, but no hope of escape. s
The shelves on which had once re- c
posed the records of Green Briar
.ounty were of iron, as safeguard
against fire, with a sheet of iron at
heir back, concealing the wall be- rs
lind My heart gave sudden leap. 8
As boy I had played about this g
invading every nook and cor a
Ter. | could even recall when those
Ihelves' were first installed. and had
at almost where i was sitting then
md watched the workmen bolt them Il
INTO their present position 1t was be-
ore my father bought. the place out Il
% the ridge. and we were living only n
block down the street. Those shelves
ested against the big chimney. and et
here wars an opening leading fnto'f a.
cross which they had nailed a, tin
rotector before they fastened the I'm
ION to the wall Ter
III could once get In behind that
on plate. the way out would not be m
lch bard or difficult one to travel T..
he chimney was large; ! recalled il
landing upright in. the fireplace on ia
,e floor. above. and. looking up to ar
here could perceive the light Of the by
" u was Constructed of irregular ri,
~ - - Which would AFFORD iods- en-