The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-11-01
COPYRIGHT ACfpcLURe G. co. ISL

coming movement Of troops held m
steadfast TO duty. Word came TO u
early in June that Count d'Estains
with a powerful French feet, was az
preaching the coast. This surel
meant that Clinton would be CON
pelled to retreat across the Jerseys
and a portion Of our troops were ad
Vanced so as to be within easy striB
ing distance Of the city the momen
the evacuation took place. The re
naming commands pressed farthen
north, near convenient crossings O
the, Delaware, prepared for a FORGET
march across the British line of re
treat. Maxwell's brigade. with which
/ was connected, even crossed TIL
river in advance, cooperating will
General Dickinson and his New jersey
militia. All was excitement. commo
ton, apparently disorder, yet even
amid that turmoil of approaching bat
tie, Hamilton recalled my eauest. ant
granted me two days leave. His briei
note reached me at Coryell's Ferry
and, an hour later, | was riding swiftly
across the country to where Lee had
headquarters.
Not once during all those days and
nights had the memory of Claire left
me. Over and w in my mind | had
reviewed all that had eyer occurred
between us, striving in vain to guess
the riddle. Now | would see and talk
with her brother, and perhaps obtain
the explanation needed. Yet | have
gone into battle with less tr~epidation
than when / rode into Lees headuuar,
tiers, and asked his chief-of.staff for
Eric Mortimer. He looked at me
strangely, as | put the question.
81 should be very glad to oblIge you,
Major Lawrence" he replied grayeIy,
but unfortunately | have no present
knowledge OF the young man."
But he was attached to General
Lees Staff"
Only in a wayne was useful to
US as a scout because OF his intimate
knowledge Of the Jerseys. His home,
I understand, was hear Mount Holly"
What has become OF him2" .
"All know is, he was sent out on
a special mission, by Washington's
wi orders, nearly a month ago. We
have not directly heard from him
since. An Indian brought a partial re-
port Of his operations up to that time;
since then we have received nothing"
IAN Indian" | exclaimed. The same
who brought in my notes?"
Il believe so; yes, now that I recall
the matter, had no opportunity to
question the fellow; he simply left the
papers with the orderly, and dlsap-
peared."
And you have heard nothing from
young Mortimer since?"
Not a word"
HE must be dead, or a prisoner"
The chief smiled rather grimly.
"Or deserted" he added sharply. 81
am more inclined toward that theory.
He was a reckless young devil, attract
tu ~ put oVt WV iiOiSp II bttultu W
me, by a spirit of dare-deviltry than
patriotism. Lee thought well of him,
but l was always suspicious. He be-
longed TO a family of loyalists, his IA
Their a colonel Of Queens Rangers.
Did you know him, Lawrence7"
THE father, not the son. But | am
not willing to believe evil OF the boy.
I cannot conceive that ~treachery is in
the Mortimer blood, sir, and shall have
to be convinced before | condemn the
lad. When did he leave here last?"
About the middle Of May"
Would you mind telling me his mis-
sion? Where he was sent?"
The officer glanced Reenly into nay
face; then ran hastily over a package
of papers taken from an open trunk.
Il cantses no harm In doing 30 now,
major. He was m to communicate
with q British oficer-a prominent
Tory-who has associations with Red
and others In Monmouth coun.
ty. This officer has in the past, for q
consideration. furnished us with valu.
able information. generally through
young Mortimer. who knew him. He
had written us that he had more to
SELL"
Where were they to meet?"
AT a rendezvous known as the Lone
Tree, not far from Medford."
NyUaa IT, TA-. -n. --I |
.rant?"
He stared at me in surprise.
Il am not at liberty to answer"
"Oh, very well; however, ! under
stand the situation even better than
you do probably. Only | advise you
1ne thlng-don't condemn that boy I'M.
ii you learn the truth. Grant Is an
inmitigated, cold-blooded scoundrel,
ind the treachery Is his. You'll learn
hat, II you wait long enough. Morti-
nsr is either dead, or In Fagin's hands.
Good night"
passed out. and was beyond the
suard. before he could call me, ever
lad he desired to do 80. had no
Wish to talk with him longer. I felt
disappointed. sick at heart, and real.
zed this staff officer was strongly
~retudiced against young Mortimer. 1t
eemed to me saw a little light, al.
hough not much. Eric had been at
,lmhurst, and Claire was not innocent
I his presence in that neighborhood.
he was shielding him, and It was
trough her help that hia first renort