The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-07-21


true confidence in you would enable
me to speak with such frankness. Il
know of no one else in whom l could
confide, and-and the time has come
when l must have help-the help OF q
friend. l should have explained ia
my father-indeed iuterded to do SO
but now he is helpless to aid me-
There is no one else feel able to
trust I-I-you were in my thought
tonight; II am not sure / did not
even pray for yC coming. and-and
then God sent you"
My hand sought hers, and held IL
against my horses name.
Tell it in your own way, DEAR"
whispered.
She flashed one glance into my face,
leaving her hand in mine, while oul
horses took a dozen strides.
1T will not take long" she began,
in so low a voice, that I leaned for.
ward to listen, "and you already know
many of the characters and can Judge
their motives. l have been strangely
situated since the commencement OF
this war, only, surely ours Is not the
only family divided in It's loyalty. Ny
father was a Kings officer, and felt ii
his duty to serve the crown. While
he has said littls, yet l know that
down in his heart his sympathies have
been with. the Colonies Those Of my
brother were openly from the start
and my father has never attempted to
i1terfere with his actions They talk.
ed 1t all over together, and Eric chose
his own course. Only Alfred Grant
made trouble, presuming on what he
termed our engagement, and endeavor.
ed to force my brother to join the
Kings troops. The two quarreled bit.
terly, and Eric, a hot-headed boy,
struck him. Grant has never forgiven
that blow, nor Eric's influence over
me. To the latter he attributes my
dishke-yet this was not true; 1t was
because as I grew older I realized the
Ill character of the man"
She paused a moment, gathering the
threads of thought more closely. ]
did not speak, preferring she should
tell the story in her own way.
"The two did not meet after that
for many months. The Queens
Rangers, in which regiment my ia.
Their secured Grant commission,
were in New York, while Eric was sta.
toned up the river with .Morgan's
riflemen. When New Jersey was in.
vaded, both commands came south,
and, because OF Eric's knowledge OF
fbia aounfrv ba v1oo da%o9yo5 a. ro.,.+
This rockies life was greatly to hia
liking; I saw him occasionally by ap
pointment usually at EImhurst, and
became aware that his old quarrel
with Captain Grant was seemingly for
gotten. There appeared to be some
understanding, some special connec.
ton between them. They met once,
at least, and l delivered one note be
tween them"
|. Perhaps I can explain that later"
I interrupted, from something men.
toned at Lees headquarters.
You! oh, I wish you could, fol
their relationship has mystiAed me;
has made me afraid something might
be wrong with-with Erie
81 think not, dear; say rather with
Grant"
IF that be so, then it may prove
the key to all the mystery. What
made their intimacy so difficult to I'm
derstand was that l knew the cap
tain's dislike of Eric had ip no way di
minished. He spoke of him as saw
agely as ever"
Perhaps he played a part-his uI
innate purpose revenge"
1T might be that-yes, it might be
that, and-and the contamination OF
that revenge may account for all which
has occurred. But / must go on with
what had to tell
/ had forgotten the passage OF TINA
the men riding steadily in advance
constantly increasing their distance
even the possible Importance of the
dispatch within my jacket pocket. Th,
evident distress Of the girl riding be
side me, whose tale, I felt sure. would
fully justify her strange masquerade
IN male garments, her risk of life and
exposure TO disgrace in midst of
fighting armies, held me neglectful Of
all else. l realized that, whatever the
cause, l had unconsciously become a
part of it's development, and that
was destined now to be- even more
deeply involved. Whatever the mys-
terry. l must solvent for her sake. My
hand again sought hers, holding 1t In
firm clasp. There was a sound OF
hoofs on the dusty road behind US.
1T is Peter" she whispered. What
can have happened!"
The rider barely paused, turning his
horses head even as he spoke hastily.
Captain Grant is with the ambu-
lance, Mistress Claire" he reported.
He came Up alone about five min
utas ago.