The Cairo bulletin., 1912-06-18


you met. | had no desire he shonlt
fall into your hands as prisoner
"hen you appeared at this house
assisted his escape"
hut, olalre, how came you here'
why ald you leave Philadelphia
because have a brother sir. whom
can only meet in secret" She renned
quietly. Il came without thoupht =,
danger, Tor war has not cost us friend,
IN thls country; our home has ra
NAMED until now untouched by van
aais' ana l felt amply protected hy
those VINO accompanied me upon ths
ilde--onr old house servants" She
Knelt at the side OF his chair ha,
head bowed upon his arm. and bis
mana stroked her hair. 81 regret II J
nave seemed unmaidenly, or done
what you may deem wrong, father. 70,
1t has all seemed right to me"
me colonel looked at us silently IN,
what seemed long while, his 6npers
fondling the tresses of the pirl's hair
This situation leaves me in an EN-.
barrasslng predcament," he admitted
at last slowly. II hardly know what ia
my duty either as father. or an ON.
GER or the king. No matter what bis
| purpose may have been this man men.
etrated our lines In disguise; he adj
mittedly exercised command of those
| lrregulars who attacked and routed
| Deayans column, and has since been
| proving about disguised as a coun.
| tryman. Merely because my daughter
contesses to q friendship between
them can hardly justify ME in setting
| him at liberty"
lie paused. rising to his feet, his eyes
on my face. The girl lifted her head
looking up at him.
Major Lawrence shall hold Won
prisoner Of war. referring your case
| to Sir Henry Clinton. In the mean.
while you shah receive every consid.
Grafton possible in accordance with
your rank. | am now going join my
men in pursuit of Fagin. Captain
| Grant, you will accompany me, and,
Mr.. Seldom. shall leave you in charge
of the prisoner until NO return"
| He took step toward the door;
then turned to his daughter.
Il shall expect you to be ready to
ride with us on our return to Philadel-
| phia, Claire" he said kindly. at is
evidently not safe for you to remain
| here alone"
| Very well, father"
| Come, Grant. we shall have to ride
hard to overtake our men"
| The captain started reluctantly.
ecowling at me as he passed.
Il should enjoy having the privilege
of being left in charge here" he said,
for my benefit.
| mo doubt, SIR" returned Mortimer
ooldly. But | have already selected
Mr.. Seldom for that duty"
They left the house together, and
watched them ride past the window,
followed by dozen soldiers. AS they
| disappeared Seldom turned his eyes
to my face. He was rather a pleasant
looking young man, but possessed an
aggressive chin.
| While | have no orders to that eff
feet, major" he said quietly, Il would
take the responsibility of accepting
| your parole"
Are you not rather reckless?"
"Oh, | think not" smilingly. Fl
would have you give 1t to Mistress
| Mortimer-surely under those condi-
tons you would never run away"
She stole swift glance at me,
shaking her head
That would be too strong an Inn
prisonment." responded instantly.
| Under all conditions i prefer not to
| give my parole"
Very we'll. sir" more stifly, his
| geniality vanishing with my rather
| curt refusal. "Then shall take all
| necessary precautions to prevent es-
cape" He stepped aside to the hall
door. you may send two men in
here, Ferguson"
| They entered quietly, glancing about
| with some curiosity, but taking posi-
ton on either side Of me at Seldons
| command. Claire stood beside the
| table in silence, her glance out the
| window Only as we wheeled about to
| leave the room did her eyes meet
mine That swift glimpse beneath the
| dark lashes caused me to leave the
| room with swiftly beating heart. At
| the door | stole another glance back
ward, but she had sunk into a chair,
her face concealed In her hands. With
Seldom ahead, and the two guards be-
| hind tramped down the stairs into
: the basement, and was again locked
within the walls Of the strong room.
As the lock clicked sat down upon
| the bunk far from being disheartened.
Fate had been playing strange pranks,
but ! was not left without hope, for
| felt assured had read correctly tho
| swift message of those uplifted blue
| eyes. She had not wished me to aC-
| cept parole; then there must be some
| plan OF escape already formulated in
| her mind. | could only wait quietly,
| striving to solve the meaning of those
suddenly uplifted blue eyes. and the
promise they contained.
ITO be Continued