The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-06-04
CHAPTER XIII.
ALA haaAA

brhnt sprang forward, all DOUBT re-
garding this young woman instantly
dissipated by those final words of mis-
chievous mockery. She had been play
ing with him as unconcernedly as II
he were mere toy sent for her
amusement and his pride was stung.
But pursuit proved useless. Like
q phantom she had slipped away amid
the underbrush, leaving him TO fioun-
der blindly in the labyrinth. His in
cautious foot slipped along the steep
edge of the shelving bank. and he
went down, half stumbling. half slid
ing. until he came to a sudden pause
on the brink OF the little stream. The
chase was ended. and he sat up. con-
fused for the moment, and half ques-
tioning the evidence of his own eyes.
A small tent. dirty and patched
stood with its back against the slope
OF earth down which he had plunged.
Its flap flung aside revealed within a
pile OF disarranged blankets. together
with some scattered articles of wear
ing apparel. while Just before the
opening, his back pressed against the
supporting pole. an inverted pipe be-
tween his yellow. irregular teeth, sat
a hideous looking man. He was a
vtthered. dried-up fellow, whose age
was not to be guessed, having a skin
as yellow as parchment, drawn in
tight to the bones like that OF a
mummy, his eyes deep sunken like
wells, and his head totally devoid of
hair, although about his lean throat
there was a copious fringe of iron-gray
beard, untrimmed and scraggy. Down
the entire side of one cheek ran a
nvid scar, while his nose was turned
.swry.
He sat staring at the newcomer,
unwinking, his facial expression de-
void of interest, but his fingers open
Ing and closing In apparent nervous
ness. Twice his lips opened. but moth
ing except a peculiar gurgle sound is
sued from the throat. and Brant, who
by this time had attained his feet and
his seifpossession, ventured to ad-
dress him.
Nice quiet spot for a camp" he re-.
marked. pleasantly. but a bad place
for a tumble"
The sunken eyes expressed nothing,
but the throat gurgled again painfully
and finally tho parted lips dropped a
detached word OF two. Blame
pretty girl-that."
The lieutenant wondered how much
of their conversation this old mummy
had overheard, but he hesitated TO
question him. One inquiry. however,
sprang to his surprised lips. do you
know herr"
Damn sight--better-than any one
around here-know her-real name"
Brant stared incredulously. do you
mean to insinuate that that young
woman is living in this community I'M
der an assumed one? Why, she is
scarcely more than a child, What do
you mean, man?"
The soldiers hat still rested on the
grass where 1t had fallen, its military
insignia hidden.
Il giess@I know-what know"
the fellow mutteEed. "What's-your
regiment"
Seventh cavalry"
The man stiffened up as II an cleo
tr.c shock had swept through his limp
frame. The heli!-and-did-she-
call you-Brant"
The young officers face exhibited
ais disgust. Beyond doubt that Sc
auestered nook was a favorite loung.
ing spot for the girl. and this disrepu-
table creature had been watching her
for some sinister purpose.
so you have been eavesdropping.
have your" said Brant, grayeiy. And
nov you want 70 try a turn at defam-
Ing a woman? Well. you have come
to poor market for the sale OF such
goods. l am half inclined to throw
you bodily into the creek. / believe
you are nothing but a common liar.
hut I'll give you one chance--you say
you know her real name. What is it,"
The eyes of the mummy had become
spitefuL 'Its-none of-your Damn
business. rm--not under-your orders"
Under my orders. or course noe;
but what do you mean by thstT Who