The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1911-11-08

you, Colonel Curfdn, she said calmly,
although l could feel her lips tremble
TO the words, while the fingers l held
were like ice. Myrtle was one Of
my dearest friends, and she CHANGED
TO be in my mind even as We met
That was why" she added, turning
toward Miss Minor, as though she felt
her momentary agitation had not
passed unobserved, Il was so sur.
prised when you first presented
Colonel Curran."
81 confess to having felt strangely
myself" returned the other. archly,
although I believe / concealed my
feelings far better than you did. Edith.
Really. l thought you were going to
faint. II must be that Colonel Curran
exercises some strange occult influ-
ence over the weaker sex Perhaps
he is the seventh son of a seventh
son; are you. Colonel? However.
dear. am safe for the present from
his mysterious spell, and you will be
compelled to face the danger alone. as
here comes Lieutenant Hammersmith
TO claim the dance I've promised
him
Before Mrs. Brennan could inter
fere. the laughing girl had placed her
hand on the Lieutenant's blue sleeve.
and. with a hooking goodbye flung
backward over her shoulder. vanished
in the crowd, leaving us standing
there alone.
The lady waited in much apparent In
difference. gently tapping the floor
with her neatly shod foot
would you - exceedingly angry
II were to ask you to dancer" I
questioned. stealing surreptitiously a
glance at her proudly averted face.
Angry Most assuredly not" in
apparent surprise yet | trust you
will not ask me. I have been upon
the floor only once tonight. am
not ut all In the mood"
IF there were chairs here I should
venture to ask even a greater favor
that you would consent to sit out this
set with me-"
She turned slightly. lifted her eyes
inquiringly to mine. and her face
lightened.
NO doubt We might discover seats
without difficulty in the anteroom."
she answered. indicating the direction
by a glance. There do not appear to
be many 'sitters' at this ball. and the
few who do are not crowded"
The apartment contained. as she
prophesied. but few occupants. and I
conducted her to the farther end Of
II. where we found comfortable
divan and no troublesome neighbors.
AS I glanced at her now. | marked
distinct change In her face. The
old Indifference, so well assumed
while We were In the presence OF
others, had utterly vanished as by
magic. and she sat looking at me In
anxious yet impetuous questioning.
Captain Wayne" she exclaimed,
her eyes never once leaving my face.
what does this mcan7 this masquer-
ade2 this wearing OF the Federal uni
form7 this taking of another's name?
this being here at all?"
IF I should say that I came hoping
to see you again." ! answered. scarce
knowing how best to proceed or how
far to put confidence in her, what
would you think?"
IF that is true. that you were ex-
tremely foolish to take such a risk for
SO small reward" she returned calm
ly. Nor. under these circumstances,
would I remain here SO much as q
moment to encourage you. But 1t Is
not true. This is no light act; your
very life must lie in the balance, or
you could never assume such risk"
II would trust you gladly with my
life or my honor" I replied soberly.
IF l had less faith In you should
not be here now. I understand that
/ am condemned to be shot as a spy
at daybreak."
shot? On what authority? Who
told your"
"On the order Of General Sheridan.
My informant was Lieutenant Cation,
Of his staff"
"Shot7 As a spy7 Why, It surely
cannot bel Frank said Captain
Wayne, believe me, knew absolute
ly nothing Of all this. Do you think
/ should ever have rested II had
dreamed that you were held under SO
false a charge? | promised you 1
would see General Sheridan on your
behalf. Frank" she bit her lip i'm