| OCR Text |
Show A TALE Or OVi.Siirfl A PANDALL SpjsH ffr J cofynGfir LA me lvlltL,n.t(.U UUUNT and hardship, but every issue involved. I made my choice back in the courthouse. court-house. It is too late to withdraw." She paused as though unable to find expression, breathing heavily, and her face sank until I could no longer see her eyes. ' "When when I told Colonel Pick-ney Pick-ney that that you were my husband," she faltered, driven to it by my continued con-tinued silence, "I spoke hastily. It is true; for my only thought just then was the necessity for saving your life. I felt that that I could do no less, and and I desired to justify my action. ac-tion. They they had to know why I did it; do you not understand? I I am a Union woman; they have trusted trust-ed me always, these men; even tonight to-night they told me the countersign because be-cause of confidence in my loyalty. I I was the daughter of an officer on General Ramsay's staff. I could not let those men think me a traitor. I I had to tell them why it had become my duty to aid you. There was no other possible way; no other reason which would justify me in such an act; but but that confession left me utterly in your power." "In my power, Noreen! Surely you do not think that I will ever take advantage; that I will ever misconstrue miscon-strue your real purpose?" "No! but will you live up to the obligation? ob-ligation? Oh, you do not see the situation situ-ation at all! When I said you were ttiy husband I threw myself on your Utection. I I burned the boats. I - al0ne now' unIess unless you I tn by me. My father is dead; , flwh0ttlnot one person anywhere to shall go. If I remain here I MoayligvVed under arrest before escape; ed with aiding your 1T you in vv charged wIth id, I could n. 6 -J ThSUNP-ea. nor - rticeed '' the Wf mIT- '"the 1 1 fa -fj-! l -v' phere llmvj1' flSiimffi i rail 0 be "' Trust You; Is Not That Enou 60V' story. The poor girl was so fr ened she had chosen blindly- from could perceive nothing, realize w of ing, except the necessity for imi tw0 ate escape. My own resolve wa 3 t0 stant. the i.rjQ not say any more, Noreei ltnew said soberly, but making no atti and, jo touch her. "I understand now. 'ight- mean yOU wish to ride with me? trust me fully?" lould j trugt you. is not that eno anas t asij now is, do not leave me yr alone." g 8 Her fingers clasped my coat, u eyes suddenly lifted to my face. "01 "Promise me that, Tom," she bej r me brokenly. "It will be all I ask." ) ng? "Surely; we will go together," I gripped her hands tightly in n "Whatever happens I will do my 1 8 D0 But we must go at once." y to "Yes, and and thank you." We crept forward along the sha 16 0 of the orchard fence, until we mir n with the horses fastened at the h n ing rail. I selected among th Q' be3t I could in the darkness. J a.y seemed well adapted ' ym "I"1 I helped her sile- ' ' V ) irn 10 "Which way had we better go ifest aa'iC'' my face close, our ho can- touching. j to "Along the south road at fi ;pay there is a cut-off Just back of the me. school." " "And the pickets do you k am where they are posted?" j lave "At the ford of the ;; it the main ford." "There arP m y; I ' "No; I 6? V ,.. ss the river CTis on the "1-i9 .-hat We rone, f0nrard sIowly my h. for on hef-.M,e Tein keeping in 1 be deeper shadg o( she house of the village. If the ca lose was not alarmed for another half h( se I our pursuers would be given a h one task. Strange that the Fed; who scouts had never located thp""" !ver ford. To be sure it was Elrr ick- of no value In high water, iiSnt and place for raiding parties tcJrJ.ow, a 3 Is all those hills beyond were ful and guerrilla bands eager to strike be and get safely away. That they da lelp to attack small bodies of troops, ; you especially poorly guarded wa! trains, had been demonstrated m rlth than once, and this secret ford g: them easy opportinfvbToj Y UHKONICLE, DELTA, UTAE the wonder was they had nerer utilized uti-lized it befoVe. The longer I thought the more I began to dread the unknown dangers ahead the gauntlet we must run before be-fore attaining the Confederate lines. We could baffle pursuit, but if once we came into contact with those irregulars irregu-lars of the mountains merciless. Irresponsible Irre-sponsible no one could predict the result. I could skulk along through the night, discard my horse, travel afoot, and thus avoid encountering any of those villains. I was myself a mountaineer, and knew the secret trails. But with her beside me, the two of us mounted, such a feat was almost Impossible. I must find her food and shelter, and we could not travel on horseback without leaving a trail unconcealed. To be sure, I knew her of old; that she was strong, resourceful, fearless yet she was a woman to be protected from insult, to be guarded against exposure; more, she was the woman I loved. But would she be in any less danger If I compelled her to return to Lewis-burg? Lewis-burg? She would be exposed to indignities, in-dignities, to almost certain persecution persecu-tion from Raymond. "Noreen," I said, turning my face toward her. "Do you really think It best to try this ride with me?" "You do not wish me to go?" she asked, as instantly reining up. "You want me to return?" "No, not that. I have no thought but for your own good. Only do you , jnderstand the perils through which , ive must pass in those mountains?" j "Yes, I do understand," she answered an-swered soberly, "and I comprehend, as 'ou cannot, the danger of my return- ng to Lewlsburg. I will never go ' ack there; but, if you think it best or us to part, I will endeavor to reach ? 'harleston alone." "You would rather go on with me?" "I made that choice, but If you con- J ider me a burden " "No, it is not that, Noreen," I In- e errupted, touched by the regretful C one of her voice. "It was of you I c as thinking, not myself. Then we 0 on together?" She was silent, her yes on the e arkness ahead. I' it must be your decision," I in- G 4M. P Wade my choieo in !... jp frankly. an instant, thinking she 4m more' but sne sat motion" 1 j pS-TTieemed to be the lessr- A not affection for me, but rear of I ers, which urged her forward. G: I ing her bridle rein, I rode on thn ip&fi the dark without another word. decision had been made; now we l if both of us abide the consequence; V M (TO BE CONTINUED.) 1 REAL MONEY FROM THE OCI in Wa Fisnin9 Grounds Yield Abundanc Mg Profit to Those Who Can Tal -Ijl Advantage of Them. 1 1 II When one hears of the discover HI ' a new gold mine one is very ap wink the other eye and hold a t Qb?" tighter to the pocketbook. Also, tl is no very great rush to the scene. s it is a different story when some s 'e truist fisherman discovers new fisl aorii grounds and lets the world knov nedl- jt Then tere ig a rea rush of , 3 n' ing boats, for the owners the: know that such new discoveries ' often real gold mines. Such has proved to be the case ou the new halibut grounds discoverei ou the Pacific, lying due west from N( Head, Wash., from 27 to 35 miles gn? the mouth of the Columbia ri' here These grounds, whose area and ej location are yet unknown, pro"ic er constitute a veritable bank lying mediately between two areas wl Sged tile bureau of fisheries surveyed v the steamer Albatross last year, and They are reported to be from line, to 95 fathoms deep and are bey 3e3t- the 100-fathom line given on Fjmall vessel fishing out of Pu 1 "rtit 18,000 pounds of h j grnnnds jn one day. 7 take this ves -,Jfr ' ry.,,fr Tlnring the th Week3ended June 2, 1915, over 2(10. i pounds of halibut wre brought f from the new gold mines of the oce Cut-Throat Competition. A correspondent of the New Yi ?" I Sun informs the editor of that rses per that a rooster has been discove: which cannot crow. It or he rst; hiss, but the bright cbanticlerical c old i3 not for him. ?J?M are the marvels of scienc jeJmJ' day it conserves a streug Is out waste, divert ergies ii f;ful channels. Tli jtinal sail the rooster hasr jen an exa Ale of criminal v.f j ineflicieu Jlll announced, expense of f (, ergy. a perfyr lijg tt OW the sun Vl J5 have tbii the-J mpjl f !S K Sj SYNOPSIS. I 14 Confederate Sergeant Wyatt Is sent a a spy to his native county on tne Green Briar. He meets a mountaineer ramed Jem Taylor. At a house beyond Hot Springs they meet Major Harwooa. Taylor murders Harwood and escapes. -Wyatt changes to U. S. uniform, escapes -to the Green Briar country and goes to Harwood's home, where he finds Noreen Harwood. He introduces himself as Lieutenant Lieu-tenant Raymond. Parson Nichols comes to the house and Wyatt forces him to confess thai he has been sent In advance of Anse Cowan, who proposes to marry Ts'oreen at once, and so quiet title to the land in dispute between the Cowans and Moreen's dead father. Anse Cowan and his gang arrive. Wyatt tells Noreen who he Is. They force the preacher to silence. Unable to escape while the gang is on the Hrst floor and around the house. AVratt proposes to marry Noreen and prficct her from Cowan. She accepts and Wyatt forces U preacher to marry them. Cowen's srang is driven off by Federal trooos. one of' whose officers Is the eal Lieutenant Raymond. Wyatt Is trapped, though Noreen attempts to defend de-fend him. Wyatt is taken to Lewlsburg for trial as a spy. The camp commandant comman-dant "tnd Captain Fox visit Wyatt In his cell In the courthouse basement. He refuses re-fuses "leniency Jn return for information, land urtes his boyhood's knowledge of the bulldlrg to escape to the attic and thence -to the sheriff's office by means of a disused, dis-used, old-fashioned chimney. He washes -off tM soot and changes clothes in the deserted washroom, and reconnoiters. He surprises Raymond and the camp commandant, com-mandant, holds them up, and with the assistance of Noreen, geta out of the .courthouse. CHAPTER XIX Continued. "The py you fellows planned t tang In the morning," I answered amused by his unexpected good hu mor. "Sorry, Jack, but I'll have t gag you." "Tho pleasure Is mine; don't men tlon it," and he winked facetiously with a nod of his head toward thi "heavily breathing colonel. I bound i hit of rag over his mouth, more b .give him an excuse for silence thai because I had any fear he would rais an alarm. Noreen had silently opene the door, and slipped out into the coi .Tidor. With a swift glance over th three helpless men left behind, Joined her, and tightly closed the dooi The light of the distant lamp reveale :.ber face, but her eyes were serious. "Better leave the musket leanin against the wall," I whispered, tfofin she still grasped the weapon. "It wi only arouse suspicion. There are tw -guards at the front entrance?" "Yes," she answered swiftly, "an 70U had better give the word. If the 3top you and ask any questions, giv them any name you please only yo came with dispatches from Genera Itamsay two hours ago, and have bee: -with Colonel Pickney ever since. 1 Is less than an hour since the guar was relieved, for Captain Fox left m in order to make the rounds, an. these men will not know. You undei :atand?" "Perfectly. And the countersign? "Kanawha." I hesitated, and her eyes flashei Into mine. "I will gt also," she said simply "for I can guide you through the camp "Draw the cap visor lower down ove your eyes we may meet with some -one who saw you brought in as a pris oner. That is better; now we wil chat as we go about about Wes Point. Do you remember, lieutenant that last cadet dance? Captain Foj tells me " We turned the corner into the wid -entrance hall, strolling slowly side bj ;side, her face turned upward to mine .Apparently my eyes were upon her and I made Home inane response tc her words, yet I saw the sentries al the door come stiffly to attention and -then cross their musket barrels to bai -our exit. I halted as though In surprise. sur-prise. "Are there any new orders?" I asked in tone of authority. "You remember passing us in. do you not?" "We pressed the lady, sir," the older man answered respectfully "but no officer." "Ah, yes, I see; you are not the ame men who were on guard when I arrived I a, Lieutenant Mann, of General Ramsay's staff, and have been with Colonel Pickney. The lady will vouch for mq." "Yes. sir," yet with lingering doubt In his voice. "No doubt it is all right sir; but the orders are very strict tonight. If you have not the word I .shall have to call the sergeant " "Quite right, my man; but that Is not necessary," and I t00k a step nearer and bent my head. "Kana -wha." The two men shouldered their muskets, mus-kets, and the older one brought his hand up In salute. ,"Pfss' slr'" he id soberly, and '.?. ! ul Went down the brad steps, dimly lighted by a distant fire my hand touching her arm The In ' faD!,ry .mp lay between us and the road. The campfire in front yielded just enough light to enable me to study out our surroundings. The band still played noisily m the courtroom above. The camp was quiet, the soldiers sol-diers apparently sleeping on the grouasi I could perceive only a few tents, showing white in the firelight but the -figures of sentries appeared Jiere and there, slowly pacing their beats. Had I been alone I should have crept forward and endeavored to slip y unseen, but 1 was conscious of the iand which grasped my sleeve,, and jay eyes fell to her face. "You pered toy guide tonight," I whis-already whis-already V "Have you some plan stant actd? There must be in-"Hardiy. in-"Hardiy. so quicklj this has all occurred had no tirrf unexpectedly, I have It best to gShich to think. Isn't the chan.3?'lMsyahead, and run "Past the & "Yes; I an? loader?" him! We havi Neatly afraid of Fox and I wVa, and Captain passed here befSether when I ber me, and have" Ha win remem-there remem-there may be offl 'nsptciou Only veranda of the hot' Wtting n "It lookc dark a( here, and the hour is erted tt "True; I suppose on duty are at the Jo are . nod there is no other way '- 1,0 u can attain the stables. hic nortv to try it-are you?" am ready I answered with the prt ( mi hand on the fingers ck? 0 ' . wig n1 ! sleeve. There was no restls ne ' ther were they withdrawn. re ' a long breath, and stepped ,rave forward. The way was cleateaa ! followed even In the darkness walked close beside her. Wis few yards of the fellow she gave,e to a little ripple of laughter, fe., ) enough to attract attention, and bi , slipped her hand into the suppoi - my arm. The soldier stood at a j tion, but made no effort whateve bar our praeress. We strolled on slowly, passlni rectly beneath the glare of the 1 a We attempted to talk, but I retai i memory of a single word that 0 uttered. My heart was beating a an engine, and my throat was dry e fingers of one hand gripping the d of a revolver in my belt. I was c r- aware of the tremor In her voice e pressing closer to me of her sl( 1 figure. We passed out beyond r. glow of the revealing light, to v d our eyes were able to sweep the ened porch. There were a dozen s standing .rT71Tb!it g were occupied. She gave- a littl II of relief, both hands nervously i 0 ing my sleeve. "Thank God!" she said fervi d "now if we only have five mi y morel" e u CHAPTER XX. lI n A Step Nearer, t "The stables?" I asked. " d horses are there?" e "Officers' mounts; but there d several others tied at the hitch -- an hour ago. They appeared t good stock; better even than the " ernment horses." I could perceive them dimly, 3 where we skulked In the shado the building. I took a step or forward, circling the house, so i i. better approach the animals aloni r shadow of an orchard fence. I h she followed close at my heels ;- turning, got a glimpse of her fi 1 ened face. t "There is no reason why you st , worry," I said softly, taking her h t in mine. Now listen to me; nerves are all unstrung; this ni work has been too much for y r too much for any girl. And , knows you have done enough foi , already. Where are you stopr , Here at the hotel?" t "Y yes." I "Then slip inside while there i one hanging around; and get safe your own room. There is not more you can do. I will take ot t those horses yonder and be off, a know the country well enough to my way. Once in the mountai shall be safe. You will do as I s To my surprise, she looked strt into my face, standing motionless, seemed to catch her breath, as thi it was difficult to speak. "You mean that that 1 am t to my room?" she asked slowly. "Certainly; :iji--Vi be 'the s: and best thing for you to do. I not tell you how grateful I an you; nothing I can ever do will ri the service you have rendered You are a wonderfully brave girl. "Do you think so? Oh, but I neither brave nor wonderful. I scarcely knqwn what I was doing didn't seem as if there was anytl else I could do. But I know nov have no doubt any more unle unless you refuse to let me." "I refuse! I do not understand v I could refuse. All that remains is you to go to your room. You wil perfectly safe here." "How will I be safe here?" asked Indignantly. "Do -ou supi they will spare me, merely becau am a woman? This has not been d In secret; there are too many know my part In your escape to keep the truth hidden. Colonel P ney will have to make his report shield himself from blame. Then not an officer here who will st openly in my defense, unless it Captain Fox, and he could not I me. Is it under such conditions desire I remain here?" "But do you realize what going v me will inevitably mean?" "Yes, I realize not only the p |
