Eastern Colorado times., 1912-11-22
IL You don't mean it was

"whatl You don't mean 1t was
Clairer"
-"But do. chanced to be in that
affair myself. and saw her. Later she,
with three others-Petsr, an Indian.
and an captured me. mis-
taking me for some one else. and took
me to Elphurst. As soon as she
learned my identity she acknowl.
edged her error. But have not
learned yet why she was with Della
van, or for whom she mistook me"
The lad drew in his breath sharp
ly. gripping me by the shoulder.
"By the Lord Harry!" he exclaimed
excitedly. There isn't another girl
in the Colonies who would have done
1t. Ill betI can explain, but even I
didn't think she would ever have the.
nerve to perform such a deed. told
you left my papers there. forgot
them where l changed my clothes. You
see came out wearing the uniform Of
a British dragoon lieutenant, and had
1t all planned out to Join Delayan. and
guide him toward Philadelphia over
the Lone Tree road. Just before ! left
OuE Sd"Q dS VoASy cOA6C Oh SuAo SAAk
l received orders from Washington to
keep my eyes open for a courier rid
ing from Philadelphia to New York
with Clinton's plans Of evacuation.
Hamilton seemed to know all about
this, and sent me special instructions.
talked Of 1t with Claire. planned how
was going to waylay him. and to-
gether we fixed up those servants a.
soldiers to help me carry out the de-
ception."
He paused. chuckling, and I halted.
eager to learn the rest
And when you Disappeared; when.
perhaps. she heard of your capture.
or suspected It, she assumed the dis
carded uniform and went forth In
your stead"
That's 1t, Lawrence. She would.
If she thought 1t was right: II she be-
lieved such an act necessary to save
my reputation. I'll bet she found the
papers In my pocket, and mistook you
for Clinton's dispatch bearer"
There Is no doubt Of it." ! said so
berly. "And that wasn't all she did
to protect you. It was the talk at
Lees headquarters that you had de-
serted. She stamped that lie. By
riding into our lines day before yes
terday, bringing an exact report Of
where Clinton was marching. I didn't
see her, but heard all about 1t. and
you get the credit. Washington told
me with his own lips. and granted her
permission to remove your father, who
was badly wounded. to Elmhurst."
Good God! Are they here now?"
"They must have reached here early
yesterday morning. I passed them on
the road at ten o'clock. Grant had
just joined their party. claiming to
be hunting after deserters." -
He clung to the fence rail. staring
out toward the house.
Grant! Do you know. believe
that fellow is at the bottom Of this
whole affair. He's in love with Claire.
and-and he's working some scheme
to gain power over her"
Several schemes. I think" I re-
turned heartily. 1--WE nipped two Of
them in the bud already. Someway.
Mortimer, he got possession OF those
Instructions you received from Wash
ington and Hamilton. ran into him
over there on the lawn. back Of the
summer-house. He was threatening
Claire, trying to drive her into mar
rying him offhand. We had bit of
fight, and l got the best Of 1t. When
left wore his coat, and later found
your papers in his pocket Do you
remember how they were addressedf"
He shook his head.
Simply Mortimer It occurred to
me he could turn them over to Clin-
ton. accuse the colonel Of treason, and
share in the confiscation Of this es-
tate, or else hold them as threat
over your sister. / burned them"
He was silent for long minute:
breathing hard; then he thrust out his
hand and clasped mine.
(TO BE CONT1NUED)