The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-07-10
MY LADY OF DOUBT.
Continued from Page Elsven.


alone. What's going on out yonder"
There was an attack on the horse
guard, and Mr.. Seldom is In pursuit.
But how does It happen you have re-
turned alone7 Has anything occurred
10 my fatherT'
I Judged from the sound that he
seated himself before answering, and
there was a hesitancy sufficiently no
nceable, so as to cause the girl to ask
anxiously:
"He has not been in1ured?"
who, the colonel" with short
laugh. mo fear of that while pursu-
ing those fellows; they ride too fast,
and are scattered by now all the way
from hereto the Atlantic. Probably
squad Of the same gang out there
fighting Seldom. Trouble with the
colonel is he takes the affair too seri-
ously; imagines he is actually ON the
trail, and proposes to remain out all
night. became tired OF such foolish
ness and rode back"
'eYou mean you Ieft7 Deserted?"
"Oh, hardly that" lazily. you zee
was sent out with a detachment to
roe down the Lewiston road. mere
" left my sergeant in command and
turned my horses head this way.
can be back by morning, and wanted
to see you"
"To zee me, Captain Grant! You
disobeyed my fathers orders to ride
back and see me? hardly appreciate
the honor"
"Oh, suppose not" his tone grown
suddenly bitter. But I am here just
the same, and propose carrying out
my intention What do you think
am made of-wood7 You treat me as
though I possessed no feelings to be
hurt. See here, Claire. don't draw
away from me like that. What has
got into you lately? You have led me
a merry chase all winter in PhiladeI'
phia, but now you have even dared
to haunt me to my face, and in the
presence Of your father. Do you sup
pose I am the kind to stand for that !?
What is the matter, girl? Who has
come between US? Is it that rascaIly
rebel? No; you stay where you are,
and answer me. That is what came
back alone for, to find out"
She was upon her feet, and / could
even see her hand clasping a lattice
Of the summer house.
why do you ask thisf What right
have you? There was never a prom.
lse between u.s."
THE understanding has existed fol
ten years; never denied until now" he
protested holly. you knew / loved
you; I've fought a dozen men on your
account"
True enough" she broke in, "you
have challenged every gentleman who
has dared address me- Did you think
such swashbuckling was going to win
my heart? Any girl possessing self.
respect would revolt at such methods
Whatever affection may have felt
for you as boy has been driven from
me by these actions. You wanted g
slave. servant, not a companion, and
it is not in Mortimer blood to YIELD
to every whim, to every crack Of the
whip. l never loved you, never con
fessed I did. I tried to be obedient
endeavored to like you to please my
father, but this past winter has 81
thoroughly revealed your real charac
ter that / will pretend no longer"
MY character! We have known
each other from childhood. / know
well enough what has made the diff
ference in you"
Indeed"
Eyes. indeed; it's that damned Con
tinental spy"
1T has been some one all along
according to your theory-any gentle
man who has shown me ordinary kind
ness. You have called out Captain
Kincade, Lieutenant Mathieson, Majo
Lang, and others, Just to prove you
ownership Of me. You have made m,
the laughing stock Of Philadelphia
Now It pleases you to select Majo
Lawrence with whom to associate m,
name. Because he danced with m,
once you feel justified In quarrelinI
with him in my presence, in goadinI
him into fighting you. It was the &C
Of cowardly bully. Whatever respec
may once have had for you, Captain
Grant, has been dissipated this pas
winter"
Can you tell me It is not Law
rence?"
Il could tell you, and very plainly
but / refuse to be questioned"
We'll, by Cad! know without ash
Ing" and he sprang to his feet. grin
ping her hand. You've helped TIA
fellow against me from the first. II
put up with it no longer. 1 came bac
here tonight desperate, prepared to rt
sort to any measures. / meant t
give you a chance, and, by heaven
] have. Do you think I am the sort O
man you can play with? II I can hav
you only by force then It is going I
be that oh, don't try to pull away
I've got you now Just as wanted yo
alone! Your father is not here. an
that fool Seldom is busy enough on
yonder. There is not even q guar
to interfere. Do you know what
mean to do?"
She made no answer, but her silenc
seemed to fan his anger