The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-05-23


she whispered. I'll know you, Ma
jor Lawrence, and-and wish you
we'll"
How / kept to the measure cannot
imagine, for, In an instant, all my
house Of cards crumbled into nothing
ness. She knew me, this blue-eyed
girl: knew me, and sought to aid my
mission, this daughter Of loyalist,
this lady of the Blended Rose, 1t was
inconceivable, and yet fact-my
name had been whispered by her lips.
Suddenly she looked up laughing, as
though to make others feel that we
conversed lightly. We passed Grant,
even as / held my breath, almost
afraid to venture with words. Yet
they would not be restrained.
"You certainly startled me; how do
you know this7 Surely we have never
met before?"
Il refuse to be questioned, sir; it
means nothing how know-the fact
that do should be sufficient
"MuBt Mistress Claire"
Rather Mistress Mortimer"
'.Yet the captain called you Claire"
Sand we were children together
you can scarcely claim such familiar
Ity."
II warrant you can name me.
ALLEN, is It not, sir?"
What was 1t the witch did not knowl
This was no guess work, surely, and
yet how could her strange knowledge
be accounted for? Sweet as the face
was, greatly as 1t had attracted me,
there was nothing to awaken throb
of memory. Surely could never have
seen her before. and forgotten; that
would have been impossible. The mu-
sic ceased, leaving US at the farther
extremity of the hall.
"And now you will got" she ques-
toned eagerly.
"You mean, leave here?"
eyes; you said once tonight. that
but for me you would be riding yon-
der. realized an you meant, and
you must not remain. The guard lines
are slack tonight. and you can get
through, but If you wait until tomor-
row it may be too late. Believe me, l
am your friend, friend Of your
cause"
81 do believe you; could not con-
meet you with deceit, but / am bewil-
dered at this sudden exposure. Does
Captain Grant also suspect my iden-
tity7"
Il think not-not yet. at least, for II
he did you would be under arrest. But
there are others here who would rec
ognize you just as / have. There is
no mystery about 1t. i was in Phila-
delphia when the Continental troops
were here, and you were pointed out
to me then. No, we have never met,
yet was sure / recognized you this
afternoon"
II was pointed out to you By
whom?"
"My brother-my twin brother on
the stan OF General Lee"
ibid you not inform me your family
were loyalists"
tapping the floor. as though annoyed
at such persistent questioning. Il
have father and brother in the
kings service-but one is renegade.
and ii"
You are what?''
Il am merely woman, sir, unable
to determine whether TO finally be-
come loyalist or rebel"
/ looked grayely into her eyes until
they fell, yelling their revelation Of
truth behind long lashes.
mistress Mortimer" / murnured.
bending so close to her pink ear, felt
the soft touch Of her hair on my lips,
''you dlssemble 90 Charmingly as to
even puzzle me. But II leave you
now, as you request, must first have
promise Of welcome again"
'Then you mean to return-a pris-
onerf / am always merciful to the
suffering"
mo; we are coming back to Phila-
deiphia victors. and soon. l am not
afraid to tell you. / have learned
much today and 80 back 70 report to
washington that the exchange Of Brit
ish commanders means the early eyae-
uation Of the city. When we meet
again you viii not be q lady Of the
Blended Rose. nor win be wearing
this uniform"
Her eyes sparkled brightly into
mine. then dropped demurely.
81 rather like the colors you are
wearing now, and am sure this dress
Is most becoming. IL have a pas.
sion for masquerade"
Il recognize that, but have already
discovered where ] can read the truth
beyond the masQue-what Is occurring
now?"
She turned to look. attracted as
had been by the change and hustle
about as. A few feet from where we
stood conversing. large folding doors.
previously concealed BY draperies.