The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-01-01

prise, notwithstanding the measure Of
preparation he had had in Mrs Law
rence's remarks
The sight that well nigh took his
breath away was something far more
than the interior of q luxurious and
beautifully appointed room. Nothing
that had been said or hinted prepared
him In the faintest degree for the appa-
rition facing him. seated at the piano, of
performer utterly unlike the ''cow
puncher" whom he had met i'm the morn
ing. The "fellow" now bending over the
key board was young. exquisitely fair
and graceful woman. Even as he stood
there In the full glare Of the parlor
lights, she lifted up . pair OF soft,
shaded, iustrous eyes and saw him.
The music stopped with sudden shock.
Tannhauser WAS undone. The firm,
white, shapeiy hands fell nerveless In
her lap; a pallor as OF faintness shot
over the wild eyed face, only to be In
stantly succeeded by flush that surged
up to her very browa Startled she
might have been for an instant; scared
not a bit Of 1t! One instant only Of
hesitation, then she rose and swept gal
lantly forward to meet him.
Instinctively Perry's hand went up to
the visor Of his forage cap and barred the
bright, curling crop Of hair. Speeches
with amaze, he could only bow before
her and wait her question; but Il was
moment before she could speak. Brave
as she was, the sudden apparition Of q
stranger staring In upon her solitude
from an open easement was q shock that
served to paralyzs the vocal cords. He
could see that she was making gallant
| effort to control the tremor that had
seized upon her and to inquire the pur-
pose Of his coming. He could see, too,
that the sight Of the uniform had reas-
sured her, and that there was neither In
dignation nor displeasure in her beautk
full eyes. Reserve, Of course, he expected.
"Did you wish to see any oneS'' was
finally the form her question took; and
Perry had time to comment to himself,
English, by Jove!" before he answered.
II did; but let me first ASK your par
don for this intrusion. / had no idea
there was a woman at Dunraven. Ny
knocking at the front brought no answer,
and hearing the piano, I followed the
veranda- Believe me, ! am as surprised
as you could possibly have been"
| Perry's voice was something greatly In
his favor. 1t was modulated and gentle
when In conversation, and with even q
caressing tone about it when he spoke to
women. Evidently the sound was not
unwelcome to this one. She stood erect,
her fingers interlacing as she clasped heE
hands In front of her and looked him
we'll over with her brave eyes. The color
ebbed and flowed through the creamy
whiteness of her face, but the roses were
winning every moment-the red roses Of
the house Of Lancaster. ..~....
she presently asked, with courtesy iu
every word.
"Nhy. I hardly know" answered
Perry, with o smile that showed hi
white teeth cleaning through the curl
ing blonde nustache. "a sergeant OF
my troop has been missing since morn
ing. His horse came back to the for
just as we were on parade at sunset
bleeding and without his rider. W.
have searching parties out all over th'
prairie, and was ordered to come herr
to the ranch to make inquiries.
She hesitated moment-thinking
"My father is at home, but I fear he /
not well enough to see you. Mr.. Ewel
is with him, and he might know. VIII
you-would you step in one moment, AM
will 60 and ask?"
"Thank you very much / wish yo'
would not trouble yourself. ! presuna
can 60 over to those stable building. o
wherever it is the men sleep; they woul'
be most apt to know if our sergeant ha
been seen."
"Oh, no! it is no trouble; besides, the
are all asleep over there by this time,
fancy. They have to be out so very early
don't you know"
But Perry had stepped inside even a
he offered to 60 elsewhere-a fact tina
the girl had not been slow to notice, fo
, a quizzical little shadow Of q smile hov
cred for an instant at the corners OF he
pretty mouth. "Pray sit down" she saie
3 as she vanished into an adjoining room
r leaving Ned Perry standing gazing aft<
. her, spell bound.
q He listened to the swish Of her trailin
3 skirts through the dimly lighted roo1
9 beyond, through an invisible hallwa.
= and then. to the quick pit-a-pat OF h
:. feet up some uncarpeted stairway. 3
a heard her moving quickly, lightly, alor
a the corridor Of the upper story until Il
q footballs were lost at the rear Of Il
Is house, then a distant tap upon q doc
y way, and q soft voice, barely audibl
a calling, Papa" He heard her spea
K again, as though in response to inquil
e from within; he heard her raise b
It voice, as though to repeat an answer
p q previous question, and this time h
b words were distinct. IAN officer fro
# the fort" she announced; and then 4,
Is lowed sensation.
'e He heard q door quickly opened;
1t heard mems voices in low, eager, excit
r talk; he heard her sweet tones on
u more, as though in expostulation, sayi
r something about the sergeant, lost
n wounded, and they were merely inqu
ing for him; he heard . stern, harsh
e: junction of "Silencei that will dor Sol
10 quick, hurrying footsteps, mans sp'
- red boots descending some staircase
n the back of the house, colloquy al
d in fainter tones, and then-closing do
IL and silence.
=, He waited fve-ten minutes, and q
n no one came; but the murmur OF vol
OF In subdued but earnest controversy Y
ed a9ain audible on the second floor, Q
u at last q door was opened and he hes
Is the same stern tones that had comma,
lie I'd her silence before, and this time Il
~ said:
TO THAT L. entirely my affair! ! '
en- see the gentleman nryseh, and let b
w know my opinion Of this impudent
er -and-burgiarious intrusion. :
n "Whewr' whistled Mr.. Perry to III
lis self at sound of these menacing woG
air s.This Is boarding the lion in his
at with a ven8eancei Now trot out y
Douglas in his hail. and let's see "
en- it all means. Tve.seen the girl. anyht
OF and he can't take that back. even Il