The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-09-21

command, released by their guard OF
partisans, and now wearfly seeking
refuge. But why were they coming
here? Surely this was not the Phila-
delphia road?
They turned in upon the open lawn
in front of the door. and could plain
ly distinguish the faces. There could
no longer be any doubt but what these
were the men we had fought and de-
feated the evening before. Grant. with
the two Hessian officers. was in ad-
vance, and the former strobe directly
toward the house, while the majority
Of his following flung themselves at
full length on the ground, as though
utterly exhausted. Some strange fas-
cination held me motionless. watching
the man climb the front steps. The
iron knocker rang loudly twice before
| there came any response from with
In. Then l could hear voices. but the
words reaching me were detached. and
without definite meaning. Finally the
door closed. and the two men passed
along the hall, beyond the room in
which I waited. Then Peters voice
said solemnly. as II announcing q dis
tinguished guest:
, Captain Alfred Grant,"
There was an exclamation of sur
prise. a quick exchange of sentences
indistinguishable. although I was sure
Of Grants peculiar accent, and the
other voice was that of the young
light Dragon lieutenant. Uncertain
what best to do l stole toward the
door and gripped the knob. This was
| the only known way out, for l dare
not venture to use the window which
was in plain view Of those soldiers
resting on the lawn. Whether Peter
had retired or not, l possessed no
means Of knowing. yet l opened the
door silently bare inch to make sure.
At the same instant my ears caught
the lieutenant's dismissing order. even
as my eyes had glimpse OF Swanson's
broad back blocking the open doorway
Of room nearly opposite.
THAT will do. Peter. for the present
Have the table prepared for three
| guests at once
| He backed out, casting quick
glance Of caution in my direction, and
| disappeared down the hall, rubbing his
bald head industriously. opened the
door wider, wondering II dare ven
ture upon slipping by unobserved
Then Grant spoke. his voice loud
enough to be easily heard:
How did we come here? Why,
where else could we go? The damned
rebels stripped US clean; we had to
have food. This was the nearest
place where we were certain of getting
any. OF course l didn't know our
foragers had left Elmhurst alone, and
that-for some cause which mystities
Clinton-these Jersey outlaws have
been equally considerate. There was
plenty to be had here. and meant to
have 1t in spite Of the servants"
| You must have marched straight
past your own place." the boyish voice
interrupted.
We'll. what II we did! There was
nothing there. as you know. The
house has been stripped to a mere
shell. Not a Niger left, nor a horse.
I'd like to know what influence keeps
this property untouched"
That's easily answered. You forget
we are divided family. with fighting
men on either side"
Little these outlaws care for that"
AT least they appear to. as we re.
main unm olested. There has not been
a raiding party halted here since the
| war began
We'll, if you hadn't been at home,
there would have been one along
now," burst forth Grant rather rough
| ly. Those fellows out there are des-
perate enough to sack the house If
that was their only method Of getting
food. And promised they should have
the chance"
"Oh. you did, indeed! That would
have proven a friendly act"
Necessity does not take much ac.
count of friendship. was responsible
for hundred starving men. Under
such conditions force would be justi.
fed. doubt If could control the fel.
lows now II provisions should be re-
fused"
There is no necessity for indulging
In threats, Captain Grant," said the
boys voice coldly. "Elmhurst has
never yet turned a soldier away In
hunger. Peter will instruct what few
servants remain to attend to the i'm.
mediate needs of your men. May ask
how long you expect to remain?"
l thought Grant was walking nerv.
ously back and forth across the room
How long? Until night. probably
Then with bite in our haversa cks
we'll take the road again. That is.
providing you condescend to act as
our host for go long a time. Odds life,
but this reception is moi, over warm 10
my thinking"
Elmhurst Is not a tavern, sir"
mo: but the hcme Of loyalist-the