Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-05-23

come Again."
but dim figure in the afternoon, but
now / saw him for tall, slender man,
somewhat swarthy Of face, with black
hair and moustache, and keen eye,
attired in the green and white of the
Queens Rangers. He smiled, but with
a sarcastic curl to the upper lip not
altogether pleasant.
"Your pardon, Mistress Claire" he
said boldly, sweeping me with a super
cilious glance, "but am | mistaken in
believing this waltz was pledged to
me?"
by mistake, captain" her lips
smiling, her eyes steady. ut seems
| overlooked a promise made during
the afternoon"
ooh, indeed" he turned toward me,
staring insolently. 1.-THE hero of the
rescue, presume"
felt the restraining pressure OF her
hand upon my sleeve, and her voice
replied calmly, before succeeded in
finding words.
This is the gentleman who protect
ed me from the mob, II that is what
you mean. Permit me to present Cap
tain Grant of the Queens Rangers,
.L!sats2antnpsIdo ny having already
forgotten our name"
"Fortesque," stammered, intensely
hating the necessary deception.
"Ah, yes-Lieutenant Fortesque Of
the Forty-second British Foot"
We bowed coldly, neither extending
hand, the captain twisting his mus
tache as he continued staring at me.
"Fortesque," he repeated slowly.
"Fortesque; not Of this garrison, be-
lieve."
mo, from New York." coolly. II re.
greet having interfered with your pro
gram"
Don't mention It; there are other
ladies present, and, no doubt, your
gallant act was worthy the reward; O
pleasant evening, sir" and he with
drew aside, stifiy military. Eager to
lose as little as possible of the meas
ure, l swung my partner forward
catching glimpse again Of the mans
face as we circled.
pheasant disposition" I ventured
without meaning to be uncivil.
"0h, very" and her eyes met mint
frankly. But you must not quarre
with him; that is his one specially
you know"
as the warning on your account
or my own"
Both, perhaps. Captain Grant
family and mine are neighbors-o
were before war intervened-and be
tween our fathers exists a life-lonl
friendship. | could never consent 4
be the cause of his quarreling witt
anyone, and l have reason to know
how quick tempered he is"
81 have little use for any man VIII
swaggers about seeking trouble" l n
turned. as she hesitated. 1T has bee
my experience that there is usual
cowardice back Of such disposition.
mot in this case" earnestly. "CaI
tain Grants courage has been suti
oiently tested already warn 20
not to presume on .your theory so IA
as he is concerned. advise the safe
course"
s, "What is that?"
Her eyes met mine, smiling slightly
4 and yet grave enough in their depths
ITO let this one dance prove stuff
' Client reward for your act Of rescue.
, "You request thisY"
4 ooh, you must not place the entir
| burden OF decision on me, sir. ca
only suggest"
/. HAS Captain Grant any authorit
S to dictate who shall be your partnerY
O Her lashes lifted, and then fell b.
fore my gaze.
n "He at least assumes the poweI
/ and generally with fair success.
must ask TO be excused from discuss
>, ing this matter further now, but-but,
n her voice trembled to whisper, II
Gm sure your safety depends upo
?. your leaving me-"
s Astonished by these words. suddel
ly wondering II she suspected M
d scarcely comprehending what sh
d meant, | stared into her face. as W
| olrnt.d tha room, Grnnt afnnd affffI
against the wall where We left hin
his eyes fastened modify on II
i crowd; | realized his presence, "
n my whole thought was concentrate
n on the girl, the strands OF her ha
I brushing my lips, her steps lightly fo
n lowing the music, her eye downcas
is 'nto the checks there came flush
Is link, and she glanced up to read Il
L.. O..