Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-05-23
CHAPTER v.
The Threat Of swords.

The Threat Of Swords.
Stepping from the glare of those
cleaning parlor lights into the gloom
of that narrow passage, blinded me for
the instant, yet a moment later, be-
came aware of the distant glimmer CT
candle, the faint reflection revealing
the girls face.
"Please do not talk; do not ask any
thing-yet," she urged hurriedly,
noiselessly closing the door at my
back, and as instantly gripping my
sleeve. Her breath came quickly; her
voice trembled from suppressed excite
ment. Come with me, beyond the
light yonder."
followed her guidance, bewildered,
yet having every confidence the rea-
son for this mysterious occurrence
must be fully justified. The passage
curved slightly, terminating at a.closed
door. Scarce q reflection Of the candle
reached US here, yet my eyes were by
now sufficiently accustomed to the
gloom SO that | could trace the out
lines of her face. A vague doubt took
possession Of me.
"You are causing, me to run away
from Grant," protested blindly "Ycu
are making me appear afraid to meet
him."
mo, 1t is not that" swiftly. "He
was not coming to you personally at
all-you were to be arrested?"
What! He knew me them"
~ am not sure-some one did. and
mentioned : his sssssaieiisa IS. Captain
Grant was glad enough of an excuse,
no doubt, but he" the soft voice fall
tering, "he made mistake in twitting
me for being friendly toward YOU"
"And you came to warn, to gave
mel" l exclaimed, pressing her land.
"That was nothing; ! could do no
less. l am only glad knew the way"
"You mean how you might reach me
first?"
Eyes; It came to me in flash when
he first left me alone, only was not
certain in which parlor you would be
waiting. ran through the kitchen
and down the back stairs; helped
the officers plan their decorations, and
In that way learned Of this private
passage beneath the stairs. 1t was
easy, but-oh, listen! they are in
there now!"
We could hear voices through the in.
tervening wall clearly enough to even
distinguish words, as the speakers ex.
| ercised little restraint. felt the girls
slender figure press against me In the
narrow space where we stood, and
chung to her hand, both remaining mo-
tionless and silent.
"That fellow has run, Grant,
doomed some one hoarsely, "either
afraid, or else what you say he is,
See here, boy, did you see anyone in
here lately in scarlet jacket?"
II don just member, sab" answered
negro, hesitatingly. 81 was busy
over dar' cleanln' de sideboa'd."
well, he's not here now, that's GER
tain," broke in Grant impatiently
"and we've been In all the parlorsi
What next, MacHugh?"
""Try to head him off before he car
get out of the city. of course. That's
his game, probably. Osborne, have
Carter come here at once. Why. dldnt
you nab the fellow upstairs, Captain
Fool play that, sending him dow
here"
81 didn't wish to create row in thu
ballroom; he was with Claire MORT
mer-"
ooh, see," laughing coarsely
Something besides military duty in
volved, eh?"
an trouble you to be a trifle NOR
careful, MacHugh," Grant said stifiy
"The fellow did her small service Il
the afternoon, and she couldn't refus
dancing with him, as he was in uni
form, and apparently all right. ad
wise you to drop that part of the al
fair. Here's Carter now"
/ could hear the click Of the new
comer's. spurs as he crossed the room
MacHugh chuckled.
"Touchy about It just the same,
: see; however wen pass up the lad,
, Carter, there has been SPY In her
, tonight, calling himself Lieutenan
Fortesque, of the 42nd Regiment H
, came through the lines this mornin
with dispatches for Howe. ] unde
stand. Did you meet hint"
, mo, sir, but one Of my men wa
: riding about with him all day-Watts
: heard him telling about 1t an hou
ago."
B. 'Is, that so2 Whered they got"
5 covered everything, Judge, frol
r Callowhlll to the Lower Batter
t Watts said he asked questions
everybody they met, but he didn't tai
any notes. He liked the fellow, b.
thought he was. mighty inQuisitiv
Where is he now, sirS"
....- ------.- ----- = ---------------------