Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-05-04
The Red Mist
Copyrighted by A. G. McClurg & Co.

all these men out would gladly do Cd
such attempt But there is Q chance
for you, and it is even barely posstblei
that, when all hope of defense Ia over.
may find some way Of joining you"
"You-you promise that?" she asked.
III consent to go. you--you will come
later II you CAM"
Yes; will pledge myself to accept
every chance, when can do no more
fighting. I'll come to you. IL I live
Now, Nichols, listen-1 am going to
set you free, and permit you to slip
down through that trap door with this
lady. She is armed, and she knows
how to shoot. Attempt one treacher.
Gus trick and you pay the penalty"
II amt tibet kind" he whined.
ooh, yes you are; but it will never
pay this time. Don't take your eyes
off him, Noreen; the moment that trap
door closes light the candle, and keep|
the revolver ready. Make him unscrewl
the cap, and leave it off out OF the
way. Set the candle down in one cor,
ter go out first" !,
Il am not to wait for you?" be-,
wildered
Not in there-no; outside, for they
might fire the building. Nichols,
where is the best place for the two of
you to hide SO could find your"
I'm the woods to the west; there 10
a trail half way down the ravine y
climbin up-an oil hog trail.'' /
My fingers touched his throat, and
bent lower staring straight into his
eyes. /
Nov, mark we'll what say,
Nichols. am going to release you,
and give you chance to get away. |
But you stay with the woman-do you
hear! Stay with her until you both
reach the Confederate lines at Coving-
ton. II l ever get out of here alive,
and learn you have attempted any
trick, III run you down, Nichols, II iii
takes ten years. Now I'll cut the rope.
and you creep over to where that ringi
is in the floor, and wait my order"
Evidently his limbs were numb from
the tight cord. f.. he crept the fewt
feet painfully, and then sat up rubbinEt
the afflicted parts with both hands. n
swept one glance out through the wins
dow, and then about the dim interior,l
endeavoring to locate the men nearest!
us. Only one stood close enough to,
observe our movements, and sent
him with message to the sergeant !
Now, Noreen," I whispered swiftly.
this is the best time. Take these pa
pers; they are for Jackson; give them
to the first Confederate officer you
meet, and have them forwarded atI
once. Don't trust Nichols for single
moment out Of range Of your revolver q
You will not Gomez" 4
Not now; you would not wish mo!
to desert my comrades-would you?'',
ooh, do not know! do not know.
1t is so hard to decide. You really
wish me to go? 1t will please you?"
YES"
"And you will come tiff you cant
am to wait, and-and hope for youy'
81 pledge you my word, dear girl"
She chung to my hands, her face up,
lifted in the moonlight.
IL am your Wife" she said softly.
and IL want you to-
Three shots rang out clear and dis.
tinct without, and voice shouted.
hoarsely.
Stand to 1t, lads!" cried Harwood!
from the dark yestibule. 1.-THE Yanks
are coming!"
swung her light form across the
platform to where Nichols crouched.
"Quick now, both of you! Careful:
don't fall, Noreen! Go on, man; llll
close the trap-and God help you Il
you don't remember!"