The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1912-05-23
my LADY OF
poU6T"-contlnuod.
In tho darkness.


The must have cut through the or
chard, leapins the low fence, for /
heard the thud OF hoofs even as I
drew back into the upper hall. Then
q voice gave a sharp command.
Circle the men about the house,
Simmons. There is something wrong
here, and saw a fellow at that upper
window as we came down the hill
Move quick. nowi"
must face them, and went forward
TO the head OF the stairs, anticipating
an easy explanation OF my presence
within. Already quite a squad was In.
side the front door bending over the
bodies and staring about curiously.
Pine Robbers, Ell, colonel7" said
one CONTEMPORARY. THAT fellow has
cutthroat written all over him. Don't
see any signs OF our men here"
Queen Ranger lying back OF the
stairs, sir" reported soldier briefly;
Irish lookin' mug"
The man addressed as colonel, q
Ranger himself from his green uni.
form, looked up quickly and saw me.
He called out an order. and three OF
four men sprang up the stairs. grasp
ing and leading me down. ! made no
resistance. not realizing l was in any
danger. The colonel. n tall man with
gray mustache and goatee. and dark,
searching eyes. faced me sternly.
What are you doing here. siri
Come. speak upl What does all this
mean?" and he swept mis- hand about
In gesture.
Il came along about thirty minutes
ago." ] explained. beginning TO appre
ciate my situation. from the suspicious
glances cast At me, and recalling how
disreputable my appearance must be.
Il found things just as they are now,
sir. There's been a fight and rob
berry"
That's plain to be seen: are these
all the bodlesG'
Yes. sir. but the house 10 upside
down from end TO end"
You saw no onef No British sol.
diers7"
shook my head. conscious OF the
fierce grip with which | was being
held. A couple OF the men dragged
out the body from behind the stairs.
and AZ the face came into the light.
the colonel's eyes saw n. heard the
sharp breath expelled through his lips,
as he stared down into those CHASTITY
features.
Good Lordi Mikel What in the
name OF heaven does this meant He
was supposed TO be with Clairei"
There must be some mistake.
Colonel Mortimer" insisted the other
ofiicer gravely. Perhaps We can get
the truth out OF this pumpkin. II we
take the lash 20 him"
understood in a Fash. and as swift.
ly chose a course OF action. This
gray-hesded colonel was her father.
and I would serve her IN this emergen-
oy without thought OF my own danger
No threat OF a whip would open my
lips. but memory would.
Come. you dogl" burst out the
colonel feroely. You know more than
you have told. Speak up. or wen skin
you alive"
Il will. Colonel Mortimer" ! said.
looking him straight in the eyes. Not
because Of your threats. but because
] wish TO serve you. Now I know who
you are. and will tell you all know
about this whole AFFAIR"
"wAs-was my daughter herei" he
interrupted.
yes, sir"
MY Godl And Ericf-
mot to my knowledge-thsre was q
man called Peter. this fellow. and a
black slave or two. They were all
saw"
But why should Claire have been
here" he asked az though dazed. "un-
less she came 10 meet her brotheri I
supposed her safe in the city"
Il do not pretend 70 understand the
cause OF her presence. But II you
listen 10 my story perhaps you may
know what to do" paused an instant
TO get q grip on my thoughts. ! need
not tell all. confess my Identity. or
mention my personal relations with
the daughter. Il am a soldier. Colonel
Mortimer. in MsKwell's brigade Of
washington's army. What brought me
here has nothing TO do with the pres
ent story was in the fight over yon-
der near Mount Laurel night before
last when we captured Delavan's for
age train"
What" burst in the dragon on.
Ger. was Delavan defeated then
HaJa't Grant Joined bimf
Eyes to both questions. sir. Della
van was killed. and Grant surrendered.
He and his men we're paroled' and
started for Philadelphia last evening
from here"
From herei" incredulously. THAT
must be a lie. colonel, for Mount LAu'
rel ia between here and the city"
Nevertheless. II is no he, re-
torted promptly. looking the young
fool in the eyes. 81 was hiding here
for reasons OF my own when they
came tramplng in along that road