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

sGe and rheumatism: sharp, stern
and inperious Of mood, m every glance
and every feature plainly told: vehement
and passionate. unless twitchins lips and
frowninH brows and angry, swapping
eyes bclied him: man who had suffered
much. unless the deep lines and shadows
under eyes and mouth meant nothing
but advancing years; a man who entered
full OF wrath and resentment at this i'm
vasion Of his prfvacy-this forcing OF his
guarded lincss and yet-a gentleman.
unless Ned rerry's instincts were all Of
little worth.
The young soldier had been standing
by = center table. coolly scanning the
pictures ON the walls. and determining
to present rather exaggerated picture
OF nonoiialance as reward for the hostile
language Of tho proprietor Of Dunraven
Hs expected 10 hear an outburst II In
vectiye when that gentleman reached the
room; but no sooner had he passed the
portiere than he halted short, and Mr..
Perry. turning suddenly, was amazed at
the pale, startled. yet yearning look in
his quivering face.
The moment the young man confront
cd him there came as sudden a change.
Il was with evident effort that he con-
trolled himself, and then. after hrief
searching study of rerry's face, accosted
him. coldly and with sarcastic emphasis:
ITO what circumstance do owe tie
honor Of this intrusion?"
Il regret you so consider it. Mr.. Matt
land, rs believe you to be- The old
| gentleman bowed with stately dignity.
| ''One Of our men. sergeant. rode down
this way quite early this morning and
failed to ietura His horse came back
| bleeding at su,,sc:. and we feared some
accident or trouble Searching parties
are out all Ger the prairies, and the
colonel ORDERED me to inquire here"
| docs your ,olnLei take us for ban
ditti here. and ascribe your desertions
and accidents 10 our machinations?"
l Far from it, sir, but rather as a hots-
pitable refuge to which the injured man
had been conveyed" answered Perry,
with quiet smile, determined to thaw
the hauteur Of Dunraven's lord il cour-
tesy of manner could effect it.
"He IL utterly mistaken, then," an
swered the Englishman, land resent
resent. sir. this forcing of my gates
after the explicit understanding we had
last year. As soldier presume you
had to obey your orders; but beg you
to tell your colonel that his order was an
affront to me personally, in view of what
has passed between u.s."
Nothing has passed between you
Mr.. Maitland" answered Perry, little
tartly now. 1--WE have reached Fort
Rossiter only within the last fortnight
and know nothing whatever Of your
understandings with previous command
ers. Permit me to ask you one question
and will retire. Have you heard any
"Nothing. sir. would hardly be apt te
hear. for my people here are enjoined Il
keep strictly to our limits, and all WI
ask of our neighbors Is That they keep t.
theirs ! presume you have destroyed
my fences. sir. In order to effect an en-
trance"
i Upon my word, Mr.. Maitland, 20,
make me rather regret that i did not
but had the deceney to respect what
had happened to hear Of your wishes
and SO left my horse and my men out
side and footed it a good half mile in th
DARK
"Ahi that sounds very like it, replies
Mr.. Maitland, with writhing lips, for a
this moment there came the dull thun
der of rapidly advancing hoof beats. AM
before either man could speak agai
, three troopers with led horse-all fou
. | etaads nantino from their half mile rae
: -reined up in front Of the eastern POI
! tico in the full glare Of the lights, an
) the sergeant's voice was heard eageri
hailing his lieutenant.
"My luck again!" groaned Perry. IS
told them to come in half an hour il the
didn't hear from me, and Of course the
came"