Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-02-08
lfIArTER III.

when they -!ttnt. The loud splaShing of
horses feet gud sturdy voices calling ut
the gate Tor admissions
Who ar sai>e:" he asked. starting to
his feet AM laying his hand on the ham
die of his sword.
Wait, she whispered. 81 will 20 and
see. Maurice," Her face was deathly
white her breath came quick, and her
heart was tAllnpingelou,lly with dread
Again she locked the door. and taking
the key witl her, stole down to the lower
hall. Into w!.cll her uncle had entered.
Sir John iIarcourt was cool and col
9ected as lsiial He wore Il handsome
evening gown dark silk stockings and
slippers. HIS toilet had been made wlh
great care and his powdered wig would
have graced court.
'Dobbins, pobbins" called the baro-
net. in his taughty tone.
The old servant came shutiing down
the hallway.
Get the lantern. and 20 soc who is Mt
our gate"
Old Dobb.ns procurcu aud lighted a
lantern. and with Il broad umbrella
spread over his head, Went out into the
darkness and falling rain. by the aid OF
the rays from the lantern, Amelia saw Il
dozen mounted British Dragons, and her
heart sank within her. From the dark
ness came voice, the familiarity of
which added IL the girls alarm.
"Dobbins, you old rascal, are you going
TO keep us here all night?'
BE not too hasty, good captain, said
Dobbins, rs he swung open the great gate
and the troopers saloped in.
Sir John Earcourt, cgad, we are right
glad TO be near enough TO your hospitabe
roof this Internally dark night said the
captain. ,i.smounting.
Captain 1'apley is always welcome"
said Sir .Ioan
Dobbas called the stable boys. The
captain and Sir John entered the sitting
room, where the light of the candelabra
fell on the beautiful face of Amelia.
"Iounds Miss Amelia; it is quite Il
treat to gaze on your pretty face. 1t
would justly one travelling twice as far
through plutolian shades to behold-But,
lllsv M
No, sir; 4 assure you 1 am in perfect
health, sir
but wt.y this agitation:"
The brave girl made a noble effort to
maintain her self-possession. She remcm-
bered the lover in the apartment up
stairs, ani Tor his sake gave the Tory
officer q welcome that threw him off his
guard. As soon as she could do so with
out arousing suspicion, she excused her
self and left the apartment But she
fingered 81 lie door.
Sir John, very delicate mission has
been given me.' said The Tory officer
What IS =, captain. if ii be no secret:"
1T is no secret from you. but l thought
best to wa:t until your niece had left be-
fore explaining matters. Did it ever o.
cur to you, Sir John. that your niece had
lover
What Yelled the baronct leapins
from his chair and staring at the cap
tain. What Is that you tell me- Captain
Tapley?"
Don't get excited, Sir John. want
you to listen to me calmly" cautioned the
captain. II have Il bit OF news that may
be Of interest to you. L came on this
mission OF my own choice, that l might
impart this important information"
Proceed captain"
Your niece has lover"
1T hardly seems possible" Sir John
remarked. She has seen no man but
the servants and an occasional trooper
since her return
Aye, Sir John, young eyes are sharp,
and youn. brains cunning Your niece,
while away ut boarding school, met Il
young fellow named Maurice Fitzgerald,
of Connecticut. Egad! he is a tine-look-
ing fellow, and has won her heart But
the young imp. with all his good looks
and daring, IS Il rebel. and it is said, be-
fore you brought your niece home, lie
not only won her heart, but Won her to
the rebel cause
The thin, trln-cnt lips, quivcring nos.
trils and flashing eye of the baronet ndi-
Gated the hate that was boiling over in
his breast. The Tory noticed his sup.
pressed rage and Went on.
II have ii from good authority that he
pays her frequent clandestine visits, de.
spite all your care"
''.Ihat is mistake. keep close
watch over my niece and no one could
see her without my knowledge"
Don't be TOO positive, Sir John. Re
member / said young eyes We're sharp
young wits keen. and yol have been
duped. He has been here"
Captain, YOU labor under n mistake
"Sir john will risk my reputation as
an officer that he is on your premises
now
The baronet raised his eyes to those
of the captain. His handsome face in
dcated astonishment and wonder.
The captain waited for the barone,
to make some answer, but Sir John, whe
knew there was more to come, mercl,
said:
"Wcl"'
I'VE have come to capture this young
rebel. The house is surrounded in sucl
way that his escape is impossible"
Sir John sat for several moments il
pnperturbed silence; then in his smooth
yell-modulated voice, said
''1f rebels are harbored beneath IN,
roof, it is against my knowledge ant
wish, and it is my earnest desire tina,
!hey be captuAed and dealt with az SPIES
II only required ytur sanction to ap
prehend this Fitzgerald, who is dan
gerous spy. and will hang if I get my
hands upon him. 1 shall commence the
search Of your premises as soon afte,
supper as you please"
Pardon me, captain, had forgotten
that Won had ridden hard Srithout cun