Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-01-15


TIE. But my brother and I've al
ways had very different ideas about
you, Mr.. Armitage We hold briefs
for different sides Of the case"
ooh. I'm case. am ~ And he
caught gladly at the suggestion Of
lightness in her tone. But I'd really
like to know what he has to do with
my affairs"
"Then you will have to ask him"
"To be sure. But the government
can hardly have assigned Captain Clai-
borne TO special duty at NJ. Chauve
nets request. | swear to you that I'm
as much in the dark as you are"
I'm quite sure an officer of the line
would not be taken from his duties
and sent into the country on any friv-
olous errand. But perhaps an ambas
sador from a great power made the re-
luest-perhaps. for example, it was
Baron Won Marriott"
Good Lordr'
Armitage laughed aloud.
II beg your pardon! I really beg
your pardon! But is the ambassador
looking for meT'
81 don't know, Mr.. Armitage You
forget that I'm only a traitor and not
a spy"
you are the noblest woman in the
world" he said boldly, and his heart
leaped in him, and he spoke on with a
fierce haste. you have made sacri-
fees for me that no woman ever made
before for q man-for a man she did
not know. And my life, whatever it is
worth, every hour and second of it,
lay down before you, and it is yours
to keep or throw away. | followed
you halfway round the world and |
shall follow you again and as long as
| live. And tomorrow or the day after
| shall justify these great kindnesses,
this generous confidence, but tonight |
have work to do"
AS they stood on the verge of the de-
file by the bridge that swung out from
the cliff like fairy structure they
heard far and faint the whistle and
low rumble Of the night train south
bound from Washington. ana to both
of them the sound urged the very real
and practlcSl world from which for a
little time they had stolen away.
81 must 70 back" said Shirley and
turned TO the bridge and put her hand
on its slight iron frame, but he seized
her wrists and held them tight.
You have ris5ed much for me, but
you shall not risk your life again in
my cause You cannot venture across
that bridge again "
She yielded without further parley,
and he dropped her wrists at once.
"Please say no more. You must not
make me sorry | came. | must go.
should have gone back instantly"
But not across that spiders web
You must go 10y the long road. | will
give you 4 horse and ride with you
into the valley"
ut is much nearer by the bridge. and
have my horse over there"
1--WE shall get the horse without trou-
bic" he said. and she walked beside
him through the starlighted wood AS
they crossed the open tract she said
This is the Port of Missing Men"
Eyes. here the lost legion made its
last stand There lie the graves of
some of them. It's pretty story
hope some day to know more of it
from some such authority as yourself"
81 used to ride here on my pony
when | was little girl and dream
about the gray soldiers who would not
surrender 1t was as beautiful as an
old ballad. r. wait here. Fetch the
horse" she said, land hurry, please"
'If there are explanations to make
he began. looking at her gravely.
81 am not person who makes eX
plantations. Mr. Armitage. You may
meet me at the gate"
As he ran toward the house he met
Oscar. who had become alarmed at his
absence and was setting forth in
search of him.
Come; saddle both the horses, Os-
car" Armitage commanded.
They went together to the barn and
quickly brought out the horses.
you are not to come with me, Os-
car"
"a captain does not go alone. 1t
should be the sergeant who is sent
yes?"
at is not an affair of war, Oscar
but quite another matter There is a
saddled horse hitched to the other side
of our abandoned bridge. Get it and
ride it to Judge Claiborne's stables
and ask and answer no questions"
a moment later he was riding to-
ward the gate, the led horse following
He flung himself down, adjusting the
stirrups, and gave her hand into the
saddle. They turned silently into the
mountain road.
THE bridge would have been simpler
and quicker" said Shirley. LAS it is,
shall be late to the ball.
Il am contrite enough, but you don't
make explanations"
"No; don't explain, and you are to
come back as soon as we strike the
valley. | always send gentlemen back
at that point" she laughed and went
ahead of him into the narrow road