Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-06-27

here, and l saw Fellow at tnat upper
window as we came down the hill.
Move quick, now!"
must face them, and went forward
to the head of the stairs, anticipating
an easy explanation Of my presence
within. Already quite squad was In
side the front door bending over the
bodies and staring about curiously.
"Pine Robbers, eh, colonel?" said
one contemptuously. "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, a
Ranger himself from his green uni
form, looked up quickly and saw me.
He called out an order, and three or
four men sprang up the stairs, grasp
ing and leading me down. l made no
resistance, not realizing was in any
danger. The colonel, tall man with
gray mustache and goatee, and dark,
searching eyes, faced me sternly.
"What are you doing here, sir ?
Come, speak up! What does all this
meant" and he swept his hand about
In gesture.
II came along about thirty minutes
ago." l explained, beginning to appre-
ciate my situation, from the suspicious
glances cast at me, and recalling how
disreputable my appearance must be
81 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 bodles?"
Eyes, sir, but the house Is upside
down from end to end"
"You saw no onee No British sol
diers?"
/ shook my head, conscious OF the
fierce grip with which I was beinl
-h held: -tourie Of the men dragged
out the body from behind the stairs
and as the face came into the light
the colonel's eyes saw It. heard tn,
sharp breath expelled through his lips
as he stared down into those ghastl!
features.
Good Lord! Mike! What in tn,
name Of heaven does this mean? HI
was supposed to be with Claire!"
There must be some mistake
Colonel Mortimer" insisted the othe
officer gravely. perhaps we can &c
the truth out Of this pumpkin, If W,
take the lash to him."
understood in a flash, and as swift
ly chose course Of action. Thi
gray-headed colonel was her father
and Iwould serve her In this emergen
cy without thought of my own danger
No threat of whip would open m,
lips, but memory would.
Come, you dog!" burst out tn
colonel flercely. you know moro tina,
you have told. Speak up, or well ski
you alive"
II Will, Colonel Mortimer" I SAID
looking him straight in the eyes. mo
because of your threats. but becaus
I wish to serve you. Now know VIII
you are, and will tell you all kno,
about this whole affair.""
"Was-was my daughter here?" h
interrupted.
"Yes, sir."
"My God! And Erici
mot to my knowledge-there was
man called Peter, this fellow, and
black slave or two. They were all
saw"
but why should Claire have bee
here" he asked as though dazed, "uI
less she came to meet her brother?
supposed her safe In the city,"
Il do not pretend to understand tn
cause OF her presence. But II 20
listen to my story perhaps you ma
know what to do" paused an lnstar
to get grip on my thoughts. | nee
not tell all, confess my identity, G
mention my personal relations wit
the daughter. II am a soldier, Colon,
Mortimer. In Maxwell's brigade {
Washington's army. What brought m
here has nothing to do with the pre-
ent story. was In the fight over yol
der near Mount Laurel night befoi
last when We captured Delavan's 70
age train"
What" burst in the dragon of
Ger. 'Was Delavan defeated, then
Hadn't Grant Joined himT
ayes to both questions, sir. pel'
van was killed, and Grant surrendered
He and his men were paroled, an
started for Philadelphia last evenin
from here"
: 'Trom herel" incredulously. "Thd
must be lie, colonel, for Mount La'
J rel Is between here and the city"
} Nevertheless, II is no ilie," r,
+. torted promptly. looking the youn
} fool in the eyes. Il was hiding her
} for reasons Of my own when the
came tramping in along that roa
ibout the middle Of the forenoon ye
terday. There was near a hundre
Hessians and Rangers. with two &c
man officers, and Grant. ! heard the
tell Mistress Mortimer this was Il
, nearest place where they were sui
of finding provisions, and that they I
tended to remain until night. / don
. know what happened after that, Q
cept that the officers went inside. al