The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-07-04


cutthroat written all over him. Don't
see any signs OF our men here"
"oueen Ranger lying back Of the
stairs, sir" reported soldier briefly;
Irish loolzin' mug"
The man addressed as colonel,
Ranger himself from his green uni
form, looked up quickly and saw me.
He called out an order, and three or
four men sprang up the stairs, grasp
ing and leading me down. ] made no
resistance, not realizing ! was In any
danger. The colonel, a tall man with
gray mustache and goatee, and dark,
searching eyes, faced me sternly.
"What are You doing here, sir?
Come. speak up! What does all this
mean? 2" and he swept his hand about
in gesture.
II came along about thirty minutes
ago." explained, beginning to appre-
ciate my situation, from the suspicious
glances cast at me, and recalling how
disreputable my appearance must be.
Il found things just as they are now,
sir. There's been fight and rob
berry"
''That's plain to be seen; are these
all the bodies?"
Eyes, sir, but the house is upside
down from end to end"
"You saw no one7 No British SOL
diers?"
shook my head, conscious Of the
fierce grip with which I was being
held. A couple Of the men dragged
out the body from behind the stairs,
and as the face came into the light,
the colonels eyes saw it. ] heard the
sharp breath expelled through his lips,
as he stared down into those CHASTITY
features.
"Good Lord! Mikel What In the
name OF heaven does this meant He
was supposed to be with Clairel"
HThere must be some mistake,
Colonel Mortimer" insisted the other
officer gravely. Perhaps we can get
the truth out OF this pumpkin, II we
take the lash to him."
understood In flash, and as swift
" chose a course Of action. This
gray-headed colonel was her father,
and I would serve her in this emergen-
cy without thought Of my own danger,
No threat OF a whip would open my
lips, but memory would.
Come, you dogl" burst out the
colonel fiercely. you know more than
you have told. Speak up, or wen skin
you alive"
II viii, Colonel Mortimer" ! said.
looking him straight in the eyes. 'Not
because of your threats, but because
wish to serve you. Now know who
you are, and viii tell you all know
about this whole affair.""
"Was-was my daughter here3" be
interrupted.
"Yes, sir"
''My Godi And EricF"
'Not 10 my knowledge there was a
man called Peter, this fellow, and a
black slave or two. They were all
saw"
"But why should Claire have been
here" he asked as though dazed, 'un-
less che came to meet her brotherf ]
supposed her safe in the city"
Il do not pretend to understand the
cause OF her presence. But II you
listen to my story perhaps you may
know what to do" paused an instant
to get a grip on my thoughts. need
not tell all, confess my identity, OF
mention my personal relations with
the daughter. II am soldier, Colonel
Mortimer, in Maxwell's brigade Of
Washington's army. What brought me
here has nothing to do with the pres
ent story. was In the fight over yon'
der near Mount Laurel night before
last when we captured Delavan's for
age train"
What" burst In the dragon ON
Ger. ''was Delavan defeated, them
Hadn't Grant joined himG"
eyes to both questions, sir. Della
van was killed, and Grant surrendered
He and his men were paroled, and
started for Philadelphia last evening
from here"
'From herel" incredulously. THAT
must be a lie, colonel, for Mount Lau
rel Is between here and the city"
Nevertheless, It is no lie," ] re-
torted promptly, looking the youne
fool in the eyes. Il was hiding here
for reasons Of my own when they
came tramping in along that road
about tho middle Of the forenoon yes
terday. There was near hundred
Hessians and Rangers, with two Ger
man officers, and Grant. heard them
tell Mistress Mortimer this was the
nearest place where they we're sure
Of finding provisions. and that they In
tended to remain until night donf
know what happened after that, ex
oept that the officers went inside, and
the men marched around to the bacl
to eat their breakfast"
~What became OF your"
"oh, had other business. and nevei
got back along here until Just at day
light this morning. Then I founS
things this way"
You don't know what occurred
thenG"
"No more than you DO. But I've so
-.t.f-. Tts- 4kfr Grant ard Mi