Baxter Springs news. [volume], December 07, 1911, Image 3

About Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919

Image provided by: Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, KS

                
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C!utWfVlIEN WILDERNESS VJAS KlKG g'U
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1LLUO I
8YN0P8I8.
The story open In Confeterato tent
at a criUcal Huge of the Civil War. Gen.
1m Imparts to Capt Wayne an Important
measags to Longstreet. Accompanied by
Bergt Craig, an old army scout, Wayne
atarta on his mission. They get within
the lines of the enemy and In the dark
ness Wayne Is taken for a Federal of
ficer and a young lady on horseback la
given In his charge. Bhe is a northern
girl and attempts to escape. One of the
horses succumbs and Craig goes through
with the dispatches, while Wayne and My
Idv of the North are left alone.
They
seek shelter In a hut and entering It In
ln It In
Wayne.
the dark a huge mastiff attacks
The rirl shoots the hrute lust
In time.
The owner of the hut. Jed Bungay, and
his wife appear and soon a party of
horsemen approach. They are led by a
man claiming to be Red Lowrle, but who
proves to be MaJ. Brennan, a Federal
officer whom the Union girl recognizes.
He orders the arrest of Wayne as a spy
and he Is brought before Sheridan, who
threatens him with death unless he re
veals the secret message. Wayne believes
Kdlth Brennan to be the wife of Ma)
Brennan. He Is rescued by Jed Bunsuy.
who starts In reach Gen. Lee, while
Wayne In dlngutse penetrates to the ball,
room, beneath which he had been Im
prisoned. CHAPTER XV Continued.
For a moment, as I responded to
the hearty cordlnllty of bis welcome,
I was enabled to take my first glance
at tbe ballroom, and found it to my
unaccustomed soldier eyes an Inspir
ing; spectacle. The room was magnificently-
large, a surprising apartment,
indeed, even in so superb a Southern
home as this had evidently been, and
Itb nronortlons were magnified by
numerous mirrors extending from
floor to celling, causing the more
distant dancers to appear circling in
space. Brilliantly illumined by means
of hanging chandeliers that oscillated
slightly to the merry feet; decorated
lavishly everywhere with festooned
flags and tastefully arranged muni
tions of war; gay with the dress uni
forms of the men and the handsome
gowns of the women, It composed a
scene so different from any I had
looked upon in years as to hold me
fascinated. The constant clatter of
tongues, the merry laughter, the flash
Ins of, bright eyes, and tbe gleam of
snowy shoulders, the good-humored
repartees "aught as the various
couples circle swiftly past, the quick,
musical gliding of flying feet over the
waxen floor, tbe continuous whirl of
tut intoxicating waltz, and over all
the inspiring strains of Strauss,
caused my heart to bound, and
brought with it an insane desire to
participate.
Yet gazing, entranced, upon the ani
mated scene, and feeling deeply the
intoxication of the moment, my eyes
were eagerly searching that happy
throng for sight of one lair woman's
face. Strange as it must seem to oth
ers, in spite of tbe fact that to meet
ber might mean betrayal and death
ay! might even result in the destruc
tion of an army In my weakness I
secretly longed for just such a hap
pening; felt, indeed, that I must again
see her, bave speech with her, before
I went forth alone into the manifold
dangers of the night. It was fool
hardiness, Insanity In very truth,
yet sucii was the secret yearning of
my heart If I could only once
know from her own truthful Hps, that
he already belonged to another, I
could, I believe, tear her image from
my memory; but while I yet doubted
(and in spite of all I bad heard I
doubted still), no desperate case
should ever prevent my seeking her
with all the mad ardor of love, no
f alntness of heart should Intervene
between us. That she was present I
knew from those chance fvords over
heard In tbe chimney, and my one
deep hope ever since I donned that
Federal uniform and ventured down
the stairs (a hope most oddly mingled
with dread) was that we might In
some manner be brought together I
was yet vainly seeking a glimpse of
her among tbe many who circled past,
when I was suddenly recalled to the
extreme delicacy of my situation by
the deep voice of the Major asking me
a direct question:
"Do you ever dance. Colonel?"
Exactly what I may have replied I
know not, but It was evidently trans
lated as an affirmative, for in another
moment I was being piloted down the
side of the long room, while he gos
siped in my rather Inattentive ear.
"As you have doubtless remarked,
Colonel, we are extremely fortunate
In our ladies to-night By Jove, they
would grace an Inauguration ball at
Washington. So many officers' wives
bave Joined us lately, supposing we
would make - permanent camp here,
and besides there are more loyal fam
ilies In this neighborhood than we
find usually. At least, their loyalty
ts quite apparent while we remain.
Then the General Hospital nurses are
not especially busy, no battle lately,
rou know and . there are some
deuced pretty girls among them. Ball
room looks nloe, don't you think?"
"Extremely well; the decorations
are in most excellent taste.''
"Entirely the work of the staff.
3reat pity so many were compelled to
be absent, but a soldier, can never
lelt Tiers upon special duty, Colonel?"
1 brought despatches from the
President to General Sheridan."
"Wish you might remain with us
sarrrr-Eintly.' - Touf wnmand, I -be
ICAI IVIVJ UI.1ICIHUW. I ITIkUAIVWiV
lieve, Is not connected with our East
earn army?"
"No, with Thomas in the Cumber
land." "Ah, yes; had some very pretty
fighting out there, I understand oh,
pardon me. Miss Minor, permit me
to present to you Colonel Curran, of
General Halleck's staff. The Colonel,
I believe, is as able a dancer as he is
a soldier, and no higher compliment
to his abilities coulu possibly be paid.
Miss Minor, Colonel, Is a native Vir
ginian, who Is present under protest,
hoping doubtless to capture some
young officer, ind thus weaken the
enemy."
I bowed pleasantly to the bright
eyed young woman faclnz me, and not
sorry to escape the Major's Inqulsl
tlveness, at once begged for the re
mainder of the waits. The request
was laughingly granted, and In anoth
er moment we were threading our way
amid the numerous couples upon tbe
floor. She proved so delightful a
dancer t-' simply yielded myself
up to full enjoyment of the measure,
and conversation lapsed, until a sud
den cessation of the music left us
stranded so close to the fireplace that
the very sight of it brought a vivid
realization of my perilous position. If
It had not, my companion's chance
remark most assuredly would.
"How easily1 you waltz!" she said
enthusiastically, ber sparkling eyes
and flushed cheeks testifying to her
keen enjoyment "So many find me
difficult to keep step with that I have
become fearful of venturing upon the
floor with a stranger. However, I
shall always be glad to give you a
character to any a my friends."
"I sincerely thank you," I returned
in the same spirit "and I can cer
tainly return the compliment most
heartily. It Is so long since I was
privileged to dance with a lady that
I confess to having felt decidedly
awkward at the start but your step
proved so accommodating that I be
came at once at borne, and enjoyed
the waltz Immensely. ' fall to dis
cover any seats In the room, or I
should endeavor to find one vacant
for you."
"Oh, I am not In tbe least tired."
She was looking at me with so deep
an expression of interest In her eyes
that I dimly wondered at It
"Did I understand rightly," she
asked, playing idly with her fan,
"that Major Monsoon Introduced you
to me as Colonel Curran of General
Halleck's staff?"
What the deuce am I up against
now? I thought, and my heart beat
quickly. Tet retreat was Impossible,
and I answered wltL assumed care
lessness: "I am, most assuredly, Colonel Cur
ran." "From Ohio?"
This was certainly coming after me
with a vengeance, and I stole one
quick glance at the girl's face. It
was devoid of suspicion, merely evinc
ing a polite Interest
"I bave the honor of commanding
U. Sixth Artillery Regiment from that
State."
'You must pardon me, Colonel, for
my seeming Inqulsltiveness," and her
eyes sparkled with demure mischief.
"Yet I cannot quite understand. I was
at school in Connecticut with a Miss
Curran whose father was an officer of
artillery from Ohio, and, naturally, I
at once thought of ber when the
Major pronounced your name; yet It
certainly cannot be you you are al
together too young, for Myrtle must
be eighteen."
I laughed, decidedly lel'-ved from
what 1 feared might prove a most
awkward situation.
"Well, yes, Miss Minor, I am In
deed somewhat youthful to be Myrtle's
father," 1 said at a venture, "but I
might serve as ber brother, you
know, and not stretch the point of age
over-much."
She clasped her hands on my arm
with a gesture of delight.
"Oh, I am so glad; I knew Myrtle
had a brother, but never heard he also
was In tbe army. Did you know.
Colonel, she was Intending to come
down here with me when I returned
South, at the close of our school
year, but from some cause was dis
appointed. How delighted she would
have been to meet you! I shall cer
tainly write and tell her what a
splendidly romantic time we had to
gether. You look so much like Myrtle
I wonder I failed to recognise you at
once."
She was rattling on without afford
Ing me the slightest opportunity to
slip In a word explanatory, when her
glance chanced to fall upon some one
who was approaching us through the
throng.
"Oh, by the way. Colonel, there Is
another of Myrtle's old schoolmates
present to-night a most Intimate
friend, indeed, who would never for
give me If I permitted you to go
without meeting ber."
She drew me back hastily.
"Edith." she said, touching the
sleeve -of a young woman who was
slowly passing. "Edith, wait Just a mo
ment, dear;" this Is Colonel Curran
Myrtle Curran's brother, you know.
Colons Curran. -Mrs.' Brennan." -
CHAPTER XVI.
The Woman I Loved.
The crucial moment had arrived,
and I think my heart actually stop
ped beating as I stood gazing helpless
ly Into her face. I saw her eyes
open wide In astonished recognition,
and then a deep flush swept over
throat and cheek. For the Instant I
believed she would not speak, or that
she would give way to her excitement
and betray everything. I durst give
no signal of warning, for there ex
isted no tie between us to warrant
my expecting any consideration from
her. It was an Instant so tense that
her. silence seemed like a blow. Yet
it was only an Instant Then her
eyes smiled Into mine most frankly,
and her band was extended.
"I am more than delighted to meet
you, Colonel Curran," she said calmly,
although I could feel her Hps tremble
to tbe words, while the fingers I held
were like Ice. "Myrt'.e was one of
my dearest friends, and she chanced
to be In my mind even as we met
"I "Am, Most Assuredly, Colonel Curran."
That was why," she added, turning
toward Miss Mine, as though she felt
her momentary agitation bad not
passed unobserved, "I was so sur
prised when you first ' presented
Colonel Curran." '
"1 confess to having felt strangely
myself," returned the other, archly,
"although I believe I concealed my
feelings far better than you did. Edith.
Really, I thought you were going to
faint It must be that Colonel Curran
exercises some strange occult Influ
ence over the weaker sex. Perhaps
hj Is the seventh son of a seventh
son; are you, Colonel? However,
dear. I am safe for tbe present from
his mysterious spell, and you will be
compelled to face the danger alone, as
here comes Lieutenant Hammersmith
to claim the dance I've promised
him."
Before Mrs. Brennan could inter
fere, the laughing girl had placed ber
hand on the Lieutenant's blue sleeve,
and, with a mocking good-bye flung
b .ckward over her shoulder, vanished
In the crowd, leaving us standing
there alone.
The lady waited In much apparent In
difference, gently tapping the floof
with ber neatly shod foot
"Would you be exceedingly angry
If I were to ask you to 'dancer I
questioned, stealing surreptitiously a
glance at her proudly averted face.
"Angry? Most assuredly not" In
apparent surprise. "Tet I trust you
will not ask me. I hae been upon
tb floor only once to-night I am
not at all In tbe mood."
"If there were chair here I should
venture to ask even a greater favor
that you would consent to sit out this
set with me."
She turned slightly, lifted her eyes
Inquiringly to mine, and her face
lightened.
"No doubt we might discover seats
without difficulty In tbe anteroom,"
she answered, indicating the direction
by a glance. "There do not appear to
be many 'sitters' at this bait and ths
few who do art not crowded."
The apartment contained, as she
prophesied, but few occupants, and I
conducted ber to tbe rartber end of
It where we found a' comfortable
divan and do troub.esome neighbors.
As I glanced at her now. 1 marked
a. distinct chary la her face. The
old Indifference, so well assumed
while we were in the presence of
others, had utterly vanished as by
magic, and she sat looking at me in
anxious yet Impetuous questioning.
"Captain Wayne," she exclaimed,
her eyes never once leaving my face,
"what does this mean? this masquer
ade? this wearing of the Federal uni
form? tnls taking of another's name?
this being here at all?"
"If I should say that I came hoping
to see you again," I answered, scarce
knowing how best to proceed or how
far to put confidence In her, "what
would you think?"
"If that Is true, that you were ex-
tremoly foolish to take such a risk for
so small a reward," she returned calm
ly. "Nor, under these circumstances,
would I remain here so much as a
moment to encourage you. But It Is
not true. This Is no light act; your
very lire must lie In tbe balance, or
you could never assume such risk."
"I would trust you gladly with my
life or my honor," I replied soberly.
"If I had less faith In you I should
not be here now. I understand that
I am condemned to be shot as a spy
at daybreak."
"Shot? On what authority? Who
told you?"
"On the order of General Sheridan.
My informant was Lieutenant Caton,
of his staff."
"Shot? As a spy? Why. It surely
cannot be! Frank said Captain
Wayne, believe me, I knew absolute
ly nothing of all this. Do you think
I should ever bave rested If I had
dreamed that you were held under so
false a charge? I promised you I
would see General Sheridan on your
behalf. Frank" she bit her lip 1m-
patiently "I was told, that is. I was
led to believe that you were bad been
sent North as a prisoner of war late
last night Otherwise I should bave
Insisted upon seeing you on plead
ing your cause with tbe General him
self. The major and I breakfasted with
bim this morning, but your name was
not mentioned, for I believed you
safe." '
She did not appear to realize, so
deep was ber present Indignation and
regret, that my hand bad found a rest
ing place upon her own.
"You must believe me, Captain
Wayne; I could cot bear to have you
feel that I could prove such an In
grate." "You peed never suppose I should
think that," I replied, with an earnest
ness of manner that caused her to
glance at me In surprise. "I con
fidently expected to hear from you all
day, and finally when no word came
I became convinced si ae such mis
conception as you bave mentioned
must bave occurred. Then '.'. became
my turn to act upon my own behalf
ir 1 would preserve my life; yet never
fo. one moment have I doublet you
or the sincerity of your pledge to
me."
She waited quietly while a couple
passed us and aought seats nearer tbe
door.
"Tell me tbe entire story," she said
gently.
As quickly as possible I reviewed
the salient events which bad occurred
since our last meeting. Without deny
ing the presence of Major Brennan
during my stormy meeting with Gen
eral Sheridan. I did not dwell upon it
nor mention the personal affray that
bad occurred between us. Even had
1 not supposed the man to be ber
husband I should neve- have taken
Advantage of bis treachery to advance
my own cause. As I concluded there
was a tear glistening on ber long
lashes, but she seemed unconscious
of it and made no attempt to dashI
It away
"You have not told roe all,"' she
commented quietly. "But I can under
stand and appreciate the reason for
your sUei.ce. I Lnow Frank's Impetu
osity, and you are very kind. Captain
W--e. to spare my feelings, but you
roust not remain here: every-moment
of delay 'Increases your danxer. Sher
idan and those of his staff who would
surely recognize you were expected
back before this, and may appear at
any moment yet bow can you get
away? how Is It possible for me to
assist you?"
There was an eager anxiety In her
face that pierced me. Like most lovers
I chose to give It a wrong Interpre
tation. "You are anxious to be rid of me?"
I asked, ashamed of the words even
as I uttered them.
"That remark Is unworthy of you,"
and she arose to her feet almost
haughtily.- "My sole thought in this
Is the terrible risk you incur In re
maining here."
"Your Interest then Is personal to
me, may I believe?"
"I am a loyal woman," proudly,
"and would do nothing whatever to
Imperil the cause of by country;
but your condemnation Is unjust and
I am, In a measure, responsible, for It
I assut you, Captain Wayne, for your
own sake, and In response to my In
dividual sense of honor."
"Have you formulated any plan?"
she asked quickly, and her rising color
made me feel that she had deciphered
my struggle In my eyes.
"Only to walk out under protec
tion of this uniform, and when once
safe In the open to trust that same
good fortune which has thus far be
friended me."
She shook her head doubtfully, and
stood a moment in silence, looking
thoughtfully at the moving figures In
tbe room beyond.
"I fear it cannot be done without
arousing suspicion," she said at last
slowly. "I chance to know there are
unusual precautions being taken to
night, and tbe entire camp is doubly
patrolled. Even this house has a
cordon of guards about it, but for
what reason I have not learned. No,"
she spoke decisively, "there Is no oth
er way. Captain Wayne, I am going
t. try to save you tonight but In doing
so I must trust my reputation in your
keeping."'
"I will protect it with my life."
"Protect it with your silence, rather.
I know you to be a gentleman, or I
should never attempt to carry out tbe
only means of escape which seems at
all feasible. Discovery would place
me In an extremely embarrassing posi
tion, and I must rely upon you to pro
tect me from such a possibility."
"I beg you," I began, "do not com
promise yourself in any way for my
sake."
"But I am myself already deeply In
volved In this,' she interrupted, "and
I could retain no peace of mind were
I to do otherwise. Now listen. Make
your way back to the ballroom, and
In fifteen minutes from now be en
gaged In conversation with General
Carlton near tbe main entrance. I
shall Join you there, and you will take
your cue from me. You understand?"
"Perfectly, but"
"There Is no 'but,' Captain Wayne,
only do not fall me."
Our eyes met for an Instant; what
she read In pine God knows In hers
was determination, with a daring
strange to woman. The next moment
she had vanished through a side door,
and I was alone.
CHAPTER XVII.
Through ths Camp of the Enemy.
A glance at my watch told me that
it was already within a few moments
of midnight There was. however, no
diminution in tbe festivities, and 1
waited in silence until I heard the
sentries calling the hour, and then
pressed my way back into the noisy,
crowded ballroom. was stopped
twice by well-meaning officers whom
I had met earlier in the evening, but
breaking away from them after tbe
exchange of a sentence or two, I urged
my course as directly as possfble to
ward where tbe spectacled brigadier
yet held his post as master of cere
monies. We had been conversing pleasantly
for several minutes when Mrs. Bren
nan appeared. Standing so as to face
the stairs, I saw her first 'coming
down, and noted that she wore her
hat and had a light walking-cloak
thrown over her shoulders. My heart
beat faster as I realized for - the
first time that she Intended to be my
companion.
"Oh, General, I am exceedingly glad"
to find you yet here, she exclaimed
as she came up, and extended a neat
ly gloved hand to aim. "I have a
favor to ask which I am told you alone
have the authority to grant".
He bowed gallantly
"I am very sure,' be returned smil
ingly, "that Mrs. Brennan will never
request anything which I -would not
gladly yield."
She Hashed ber eyes brightly Into
bis face.
"Most assuredly not The fact la.
General. Colonel Curran, with whom I
see you are already acquainted, was
to pass the night at the Major's quar
ters, and as be has not yet returned,
the duty has naturally devolved upon
me to see our guest safely deposited.
We are at the Mitchell House, you
remember, which ts beyond the Inner
lines', and while, of course. I have
been furnished with a pa " she held
up the paper for his Inspection, 'and
have bee: also Instructed as to the
countersign. I fear this will scarcely
suffice tor the safe passage of the
Colonel." , .
Tbe General laughed good-bumored-ly.
evidently pleased wv . her assump
tion of military knowledge,
(TO BE cojmsiSOJ '
Passing a Good Thing. Along.
Bessie Harry's 'void -watch must
be a tort ef a family watch. . .
Jessie Why? . -'
Bessie first be has st. sod. then
his uncle has tt. r ; . -
OFFICIAL INVITATION
TO AMERICANS
HOW ROBERT ROGERS, MINISTER
OF THE INTERIOR, IN WINNIPEG
ADDRE88, I88UE8 WELCOME
OF AMERICANS TO WEST
ERN CANADA.
During the course of a reply to aa
address presented to Hon. Robert Rog
ers, the newly appointed Minister of
the Interior of Canada at a banquet
given at Winnipeg In bis honor that
gentleman spoke on immigration. The
tone of his remarks was that he intend
ed to pursue an aggressive and for
ward policy In the matter of immigra
tion. In part, he said:
The most Important branch per
haps of that department (Interior) la
that of Immigration.
"If there Is anything more than an
other we want here It Is a greater pop
ulation, and It shall be my duty to pre
sent to the people In all parts of the
world where desirable emigrants are
to be found the advantages and the
great possibilities of this country. We
have received In the past a reasonably
large Immigration from south of the
International boundary, and in this
connection let me say just a word for
ear American cousins who have found
nappy homes amongst us, and those
whom we hope to welcome In greater
numbers In the years to come. There
are hundreds of thousands of them la
our prairie provinces, happy in the en
joyment of a freedom as great as they
ever knew, and all contributing In a
material way towards the development
of Canada. We are not blind to their
value as settlers. They come better
equipped with scientific farming
knowledge than most of our emi
grants, and constitute without doubt
the wealthiest class of emigrants any
new country has ever known. Aa
head of the immigration department It
will be my privilege to offer them a
welcome hearty and sincere, and to
so contribute to their welfare that un
der the protecting folds of the Union
Jack they will enjoy as great a degree
of liberty and happiness as under the
Stars and Stripes. The Borden gov
ernment cherishes nothing but the
kindliest feelings for the people of the
peat republic to the south, and will
do all in its power to increase the
bonds of kinship and neighborly good
feeling that has so long existed.
(Bear, hear.)
"While we adopt a vigorous emi
gration policy In that country, we win
also adopt the same vigorous policy la
ether parts of the world. We win go
to England, Ireland and Scotland, and
every other country Irrespective of
race, creed or nationality, where we
can find suitable and desirable emi
grants for this great country. I think
much good work can be done In those
countries, and especially perhaps at
the present time in England, Ireland
and Scotland. Now, then, It win be
my duty to stir up that policy In ther
most vigorous manner possible."
An Early Frohman.
Frist Mediaeval Manager How'a
your latest miracle play?
Second Ditto Fine. Thought It
would be a failure, though, till we hit
on something that's got the women
coming in droves.
F. M. M. How so?
' Second Ditto We lost tbe baby that
we used In the Solomon-and-the-Two-Mothers'
baby scene, and have been
using- a lap-dog ever since." Puck.
Country's Safeguard.
No genuine observer can decide
otherwise than that the homes of a
nation are the bulwarks of personal
and national safety and thrift. J. O.
Holland.
Till Then.
"WU1 you be miner'
"Yes, Ull we are married."
"TUl we are married V
"Yes; then you'll be mine."
METALLIC IliELS
Lttca, Yon Knot, Qusrrymcn, Famerv
Aftd You Who Do Kesvy Vat
A IMr mt 9tm I H U P M He
I We of Yowt Soi
r urasictlng hstls mni en w mim mmt Is the
tbsssaae. Yew sWoaW sUs wmk sbms mk
that seals stocked or a cobbler .ess oldu
snacsttM-a. UyosrawkrtaBtsssfilisd.mstMtis.
Wsililry brisgs bookkt.
CSZ8 Oat KAOTTKEXT CO. - SOJCIOS, EiSt
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v CT IZZZ
usiiiseu sar the lust bit. os of ts
gn'tinnr ""' Oat be wiUwst ttda
atata. SswUc by sealing w(tteblfas)!
tea wW rswKe at sees Oris epWt.it sews, wsisb,
BMssssi tbe World's reattea eebD Fse rVtareJ
sSetortaS. Aadrsot,
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