The Glenwood post., 1912-08-10

"He at least assumes the power,
and generally with fair success.
must ask to be excused from discuss
Ing this matter further now. but-but,"
her voice tremblsd to whisper, IL
am sure your safety depends upon
your leaving me-"
Astonished by these words, sudden
ly wondering II she suspected me,
scarcely comprehending what she
meant, l stared into her face, as we
circled the room. Grant stood stiffly
against the wan where we left him,
his eyes fastened moodily on the
crowd; realised his presence, yet
my whole thought was concentrated
on the girl. the strands Of her hair
brushing my lips, her steps lightly fol-
lowing the music. her eye downcast.
Into the cheeks there came flush of
pink, and she glanced up to read the
surprise in my face.
do l need TO say more?"
Eyes. you must" insisted, you can
never believe I would leave you be-
cause Of personal fear"
II did not know-at first. Now 1
realize 1t will require higher motive
to influence you; not love Of life. but
love Of country"
felt the closer clasp of her fingers
On my guiding hand. and knew l took
deep breath of surprise.
Lean your head Just little closer"
she whispered. IL know you. Ma
ior Lawrence, and-and l wish you
we'll"
How kept to the measure I cannot
imagine. for. in an instant, all my
house Of cards crumbled into nothing
ness. She knew me, this blue-eyed
girl; knew me, and sought to aid my
mission, this daughter of a loyalist,
This lady Of the Blended Rose. 1t was
lnconceivable, and yet fact-my
name had been whispered by her lips.
Suddenly she looked up laughing, as
though to make others feel that we
,onversed lightly. We passed Grant,
even as I held my breath, almost
afraid to venture with words. Yet
they would not be restrained.
"You certainly startled me; how do
you know thisf Surely we have never
met before?"
II refuse to be questioned, sir; 1t
means nothing how I know-the fact
hat l do should be sufficient"
"Must Mistress Claire"
Rather Mistress Mortimer"
"Yet the captain called you Claire"
"And we were children together
you can scarcely claim such familiar
lty."
"I warrant you can name me-"
"Allen, is 1t not. sir?"
What was 1t the witch did not know!
This was no guess work, surely, and
yet how could her strange knowledge
be accounted fort Sweet as the face
was, greatly as 1t had attracted me,
Of memory. Surely could never have
seen her before, and forgotten; that
would have been impossible. The mu-
sic ceased, leaving US at the farther
extremity Of the hall.
"And now you will GOT" she ques-
toned eagerly.
"You mean, leave here?"
"Yes; you said once tonight, that
but for me you would be riding yon-
der. realized an you meant, and
you must not remain. The guard lines
are slack tonight, and you can get
through, but If you wait until tomor-
row 1t may be too late. Believe me,
am your friend, q friend Of your
cause"
II do believe you; 1 could not con-
meet you with decsit. but 1 am bewil
dered at this sudden exposure. Does
Captain Grant also suspect my iden-
tity?"
Il think not-not yet, at least, for If
he did you would be under arrest. But
there are others here who would rec
ognize you Just - I have. There is
no mystery about 1t. l was in Phila-
delphia when tho Continental troops
were here. and you were pointed out
to me then. No. we have never met,
yet l was sure I recognized you this
afternoon"
II was pointed out to you by
whom?"
"My brother-my twin brother on
the staff of General Lee"
did you not inform me your family
were loyalists"
"Yes; 1t Is true,' earnestly, her foot
tapping the floor. as though annoyed
at such persistent questioning. 81
have father and brother in the
kings service-but one is renegade,
and H."
you are what?"
II am merely a woman, sir, unable
to determine whether to finally be-
come loyalist or rebel"
looked gravely into her eyes until
they fell, yelling their revelation of
truth behind long lashes.
Mistress Mortimer" l murmured,
bending 80 close to her pink ear, felt
the soft touch of her hair on my lips,
you dissemble SO charmingly as to
even puzzle me. But II leave you
now, 90 you request, l must first have