Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-06-13

ing, dusty and without arms. These
must be the remnant Of Delavan's
command, released by their guard of
partisans, and now YEARLY seeking
refuge. But why were they coming
here? Surely this was not the Phila-
delphia road?
They turned in upon the open lawn
in front of the door, and could plain
ly distinguish the faces. There could
no longer be any doubt but what these
were the men we had fought and de-
feated the evening before. Grant, with
the two Eessian officers, was in adj
vance, and the former strobe directly
toward the house, while the majority
of his following flung themselves at
full length on the ground, as though
utterly exhausted. Some strange fas-
cination held me motionless, watching
the man climb the front steps. The
iron knocker rang loudly twice before
there came any response from with.
in. Then | could hear voices, but the
words reaching me were detached, and
without definite meaning. Finally the
door closed, and the two men passed
along the hall, beyond the room in
which ! waited. Then Peters voice
said solemnly, as If announcing dis.
tinguished guest:
Captain Alfred Grant,"
There was an exclamation Of sur.
prise, quick exchange Of sentences
indistinguishable, although l was sure
of Grants peculiar accent, and the
other voice was that of the young
light Dragon lieutenant. Uncertain
what best to do | stole toward the
door and gripped the knob. This was
the only known way out, for | dare
not venture to use the window which
was in plain view Of those soldiers
resting on the lawn. Whether Peter
had retired or not, I possessed nc
means of knowing, yet l opened the
door silently bare inch to make sure
At the same instant my ears caught
the lieutenant's Diminishing order, even
as my eyes had glimpse Of Swanson't
broad back blocking the open doorway
OF room nearly opposite.
"That will do, Peter, for the present
Have the table prepared for three
guests at once"
He backed out, casting a quicl
glance of caution in my direction, ant
disappeared down the hall, rubbing hi
bald head industriously. opened thu
door wider, wondering II l dare ven
ture upon slipping by unobservM
Then Grant spoke, his voice lou'
enough to be easily heard:
"How did we come here? Why
where else could we go? The damned
rebels stripped us clean; we had t.
have food. This was the neares
place where we were certain Of getting
any. OF course l didn't know GU
foragers had left Elmhurst alone, an,
that-for some cause which mystifie
Clinton-these Jersey outlaws hav
been equally considerate. There wa
I. plenty to be had here. and I meant t
have it in spite of the servants"
"You must have marched straigh
past your'own place." the boyish vote
J interrupted.
"Well, what IL we did. There wa
nothing there, as you know. TIL
house has been stripped to a mer
shnll Not . niger left, norea- hnrsi
I'd like to know what influence keep
this property untouched"
"That's easily answered You forge
we are divided family, with fightin
men on either side"
Little these outlaws care for that.
"At least they appear to, as we II
main unmolested. There has not bee
a raiding party halted here since tn
war began"
well, II you hadn't been at home
there would have been one alon
now" burst forth Grant rather rough
T, ly. Those fellows out there are de!
perate enough to sack the house
that was their only method of gettin
food. And | promised they should hay
the chance"
"oh, you did, indeed! That woul
have proven friendly act"
Necessity does not take much a,
count of friendship. was responsible
for hundred starving men. Unde
such conditions force would be Just
; lied. doubt II could control the fel
lows now II provisions should be re
fused"
There Is no necessity for indulginl
; in threats, Captain Grant," said tn,
boys voice coldly. "Elmhurst ha
never yet turned soldier away II
hunger. Peter will instruct what few
servants remain to attend to. the i'm
mediate needs of your men. May asl
how long you expect to remain?"
] thought Grant was walking nery
ously back and forth across the room
; "How long? Until night, probably
Then with bite in our haversack
Wen take the road again. That IL
gOu NOhuSoNNuu W dOl q
our host for so long time. Odds life
but this reception is not over warm t
my thinking"
"Elmhurst is not tavern, sir"
mo; but the home of loyalist-th
commander of half those men out vol
der. However | am not pleading fo
them, but myself personally. Whs
welcome have had? BY all the god
| was almost compelled to fight this
bald.headed old fool to even gain a,
mittance to the hall. Were those you
orders?"
"Assuredly not. But you must col
slider circumstances, and forgive Pet,
for being over jealous in my servlc
, received you as soon as knew wi
you were"
"Yes," somewhat Modified, 81 pI
sumo that is true, although you a
chilly enough, the Lord knows, D
: what brings you here?"
THAT must remain my secret, Ca
tain Grant-for the present"