The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-08-02

rs there an Eric MortimerP
There is" she answered frankly;
my brother II was for his sake ]
did all this"
A moment / sat in my saddle ST.
lently, our horses walking side by side
through the night, while endeavored
to grasp the meaning of her confes'
sion. knew that she was riding bare
headed, her face turned away.
Go on" said at last, "tell me the
whole story"
81 WILL" firmly, her head uplifted. u
was tempted TO do so at Elmhurst,
but something seemed to seal my lips.
There is now no longer any excuse for
silence. IL wish you to know, and,
then, perhaps, you may feel more
kindly disposed toward me-"
Your father is aware"
mo not even father. He is scarce
ly conscious Of what is going on about
him. Peter knows, and Tonepah,"
with a wave of her hand into the dark
shadows.
"They are with you, housekeeping
guard over him?'
Yes; they have known from the
beginning; not everything, of course
for that was not necessary. Peter is
an old servant, silent and trustworthy.
He would never question an act OF
mine, while the Indian has reason to
be grateful and loyal to me. What
ever indiscretion, Major Lawrence, l
may have been guilty of, have gone
nowhere unaccompanied by these
two. You will believe that?"
Yes, and whatever else you tell
me-"
THAT, now, must necessarily be
the entire story. AS l proceed you
will be convinced, l think, that only
true confidence in you would enable
me to speak with such frankness. II
know of no one else in whom l could
confide, and-and the time has come
when l must have help-the help of
friend. / should have explained to
my father-indeed intended to do so
but now he is helpless to aid me.
There is no one else feel able to
trust. I-t-you were in my thought
tonight; IL am not sure l did not
even pray for your coming, and-and
then God sent you"
My hand sought hers, and held 1t
against my horses name.
"Tell it in your own way, DEAR" 1
whispered.
She flashed one glance into my face,
leaving her hand in mine, while our
horses took a dozen strides.
1T will not take long" she began,
in so low a voice, that l leaned for
ward to listen, land you already know
many Of the characters and can judge
their motives. l have been strangely
situated since the commencement OF
this war, only, surely ours is not the
only family divided in its loyalty. My
father was a Kings officer, and felt it
his duty to serve the crown. While
he has said little, yet l know that
down in his heart his sympathies have
been with the Colonies. Those Of my
brother were openly from the start,
and my father has never attempted to
interfere with his actions. They talk
ed it all over together, and Eric chose
his own course. Only Alfred Grant
made trouble, presuming on what he
termed our engagement, and endeavor-
ed to force my brother to join the
Kings troops. The two quarreled bit
terly, and Eric, hot-headed boy,
struck him. Grant has never forgiven
that blow, nor Eric's influence over
me. To the latter he attributes my
dislike-yet this was not true; it was
because as l grew older I realized the
i'll character Of the man."
She paused a moment, gathering the
threads of thought more closely. /
did not speak, preferring she should
tell the story in her own way
"The two did not meet after that
for many months. The Queens
Rangers, in which regiment my fa-
ther secured Grant a commission,
were in New York. while Eric was sta
toned up the river with Morgan's
rifemen. When New Jersey was in
Vaded, both commands came south,
and, because of Eric's knowledge Of
this country he was detailed as scout.
This reckles life was greatly to his
liking; l saw him occasionally by ap-
pointment, usually at Elmhurst, and
became aware that his old quarrel
with Captain Grant was seemingly for
gotten. There appeared to be some
understanding some special connec-
tion between them. They met once,
at least, and delivered one note be-
tween them"
perhaps l can explain that later -
/ interrupted, from something men
toned at Lees headquarters.
"You! oh, / wish you could, for
their relationship has rnystified me;
has made me afraid something might
be wrong with-with Eric"
Il think not, dear; say rather with
Grant"
IF that be SO, then it may prove
the key to all the mystery. What
made their intimacy so difficult to un.
derstand was that / knew the cap
tain's dislike of Eric had in no way di.
minished. He spoke of him as saw
agely as ever"
Perhaps he played part--his ul-
innate purpose revenge"
1T might be that-yes, it might be
that, and-and the consummation OF
that revenge may account for all which
has occurred. But / must go on with
what / had to tell"
/ had forgotten the passage Of time
the men riding steadily in advance