Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-06-13


| Opened the Door Wider, Wondering
If Dare Venture Upon Stepping
by Unobserved.
Dragons in charge of his advance
guard. merely got glimpse of the
fellow as we rode in, and he looked
80 devilishly like Eric that / asked
Delavan who the lad was. He said he
had Joined at Mount Holly with three
men, was going through to Philadel
phia with dispatches from New York
and was only too glad Of escort the
rest Of the way. Being short Of Off
GERS Delavan gave him charge Of the
van"
"Did he recognize you"
IT hardly think SO; it was pretty
dark, and was put on guard over the
rear wagons. supposed l would have
ample opportunity to learn the truth
after it became daylight"
"But you believed him to be Erlc?"
Eyes, and after the attack l was
convinced. He and the three men with
him bolted and got away. Must have
run at the first fire, for the fellows
had us completely hemmed in. 1t was
Eric all right, and that is about half
the reason why l led my men back
here-I wanted to find out il he was
hiding about the old place. Is it true
you haven't seen him."
"Quite true; indeed I had no reason
TO suppose him in the Jerseys at this
time"
Grant remained silent, probably not
wholly convinced that he was being
told the truth, and yet not venturing
to state openly his suspicious. How
ever the other said no more, and final.
ly the Ranger felt compelled to an
swer
"Of course" he explained rather
lamely, 81 couldn't altogether blame
you for concealing the boy II he had
shown up here, but you will realize
that as a Kings officer have seri-
Gus duty to perform"
"You would apprehend Eric? Would
betray him into British hands? Is
that your meaning, Captain Grant,"
what else could | do? Don't be
unreasonable! Boy as he is, no one in
all that crew Of ragamuffins has done
us greater harm. Again and again he
has learned our secrets and brought
Washington information of our plans
How -te -does-ft Is me mystery or thiS
department-Howe has personally Of
fered a thousand pounds for his arrest
Surely you know that. Last night ;
thought we had him in our power, bu
the very devil seems to protect hin
from capture, even when luck bring
him fairly within our grip"
"And so you came here to search TO
him?" / could feel the bitter eco
in the voice. ''In his fathers homel'
81 certainly did" angrily. 81 sha
search the house from cellar to garre
before | leave"
But you are on parole"
Damn the parole. What do car
for pledge given to a band of pluI
dering outlaws? And what do car
for Eric? He chose for himself, ant
has no right to expect any mercy fror
me, and by all the gods, he'll receiv'
none. l half believe that attack las
night was his planning, and that nov
you have him hidden away here. Nov
listen to me! ! do not desire to b.
harsh, but I'm soldier My men ar,
not armed, but there are enough on
here to handle the servants bare
handed. No one can get out of thi
house without being seen; I've attend
ed to that"
And you propose searching tn
rooms?"
81 do. II you had been little NOR
genial might have exhibited greate
courtesy. But haven't any use foi
Eric, and never had. Now you know
the truth"
ut merely illustrates more clearly
your character"
"You are always free enough with
your comments. shall do my duty
to the King"
4 Very we'll, sir" and the incensed
lieutenant pushed back his chair
Then we clearly understand each 9th
er at last. am sincerely glad of it.
From now on | shall never again bC
guilty Of mistaking you for friend OIL
gentleman. No, have no wish to
listen to another word; you have
spoken frankly enough, and under.
stand the situation. Perhaps II Is only
anger, but 1t gives me the excuse
have been seeking after long while
In vain. Whatever claim you may
have had upon my regard in the past
h Is over with, forever over with, Cap
D tain Grant"
"But-but, surely"
}. 81 mean precisely that. You can
e cover your despicable actions with the
1 gloss Of military duty, but know you
now as revengefhl liar. Treat this
}. house as you please. refuse to have
any more dealings or words with you
4 I'll provision you and your men, as
!. would any others suffering from hun
ger, but that ends all. If you search
&? this house do It by force, and in any
way you please, but expect no assist
q ance from me. bid you good-day, sir
4 and will send Peter to call you when
! breakfast is ready"
v Continued next week.