The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-09-06
CHAPTER XXI.
A Threatened Marriage.

Fagin heard them coming and took
his boots from the table, and sat up
straight in his chair; the preacher
pushed his back until half concealed
behind the door; Grant never looked
around. Jones came into view first,
and behind him walked Claire, her
cheeks flushed, her head held high. At
the door she paused, refusing to enter,
her eyes calmly surveying the occu-
pants.
"You sent for me, sir" she said
coldly. MAY ask for what purposeT
Even Fagin's cool insolence was un-
able to withstand unmoved her beauty
and her calmness of demeanor. Ap-
parently he had never met her before,
for, with face redder than ever, he got
to his feet, half bowling, and stam-
mering slightly.
my name Is Fagin, Mistress" he
said, striving to retain his accustomed
roughness. 'I reckon you have heard
of me-"
81 have" proudly, her eyes meeting
his, "and, therefore, wonder what your
purpose may be in ordering me here. l
wish to return to my father who re-
quires my services"
The guerilla laughed, now angered
by her manner.
well, thought I'd tell you who l
was so you wouldn't try any high and
mighty business" he said coarsely,
and eying her fiercely. "That amt the
sort o. thing that goes with me, an
yer amt the first one I've taken down
a peg or two. However, l don't mean
you no harm, only you'd better behave
yourself. Yer know that man over
there, don't yer?"
He indicated with a nod Of the head,
and Claire glanced in that direction,
but without speaking.
"Well, can't you answer?"
81 recognize Captain Grant, if that
is what you mean"
81 was speaking English, wasn't l?
Yer ought to know him-yer engaged
ter him, amt yer?"
Certainly not" Indignantly.
Grant turned about, his face twitch-
ing.
This is not my fault, Claire" he
exclaimed swiftly. Don't blame me
for it. l am also prisoner, and help
less"
She never looked at him, never an
swered, her entire attention concen-
trated on Fagin, who was grinning
with enjoyment.
That's sure right, young lady," he
said grimly. '"The Captain is only
obeyin' orders ter save his own neck.
There's no love lost atween us, let
me tell yer. But we're not SO blame
merciless after all, an / reckon, we've
got about all thar is in the house
worth cartin' away. Now we're goin'
to have some fun, an leave two happy
hearts behind. Amt that it, Jones?
Clinton's licked; Washington has his
hands full up north; an this hull
blame country is ours. Somewhere,
I've heard tell that you an
this Captain was pretty thick-how is
it?"
Her eyes exhibited indignant sur
prise, but, after an instant's hesita-
tion, her lips answered.
II hardly know what you mean, sir.
We were children together"
"An' engaged ter be married-eh?"
"There was an arrangement of that
nature between our parents. But why
should this interest your"
He ignored the question, but his
eyes hardened.
Il heard it this way. You were en-
gagged until a few weeks ago. Then
you met damned Continental, a spy,
an imagined yer fell in love with him.
Now de yer know what interest I've
got? I'm with the Red-coats, an if
can turn trick fer that side I'm
i-goin' ter do it. You'll be blessin' me |
'er it some day. Now, see here, girl, !
I'm a-goin' ter marry yer off before
Gavin this house. l reckon yer amt |
to make no fuss about it,
Ire yer?"
She did not appear to comprehend,
o realize the man was in earnest; she
even smiled slightly.