The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-10-24

between you two to make me suspect
your identity"
ant7g
why should 1 not? The voice was
the same; at least sufficiently similar
to deceive me, and he never addressed
you in a way to arouse my suspicious.
Is your brother named Eric?"
yes; I told you, did / not, that we
are twins? The physical resemblance
between US is very strong; no doubt
our voices sound alike also, or would
to a comparative stranger. VIII you
not be seated, Major? We shall not
have long to converse, and there is
much to be said before those down
stairs complete their rather frugal
meal-Peter has promised to delay
serving as much as possible, but, as
u larder Is not extensive, at best It
will not be long. You overheard Cap
tain Grants threat9"
ITO search the house for your broth
er-yes."
HE will carry It out" quietly, her
eyes, no longer smiling, on my face.
There has never been friendship be-
tween those two, and Of late my own
relations with Captain Grant have be-
come very unpleasant / think he is
almost glad Of an opportunity to thus
exercise some authority over me. He
is the kind Of a man who must either
rule or ruin. Convinced that Eric is
concealed here, he win search the
house as much to srfe me as for any
other reason. l should only laugh at
him, but for your presence"
Then your brother is not here?"
Certainly not; Eric is in no danger
but, Major Lawrence, you are"
The earnestness with which she
spoke made my heart leap. Whatever
the girls political sentiments might
be, she was plainly desirous Of serving
me, Of once again exposing herself in
my defence. Yet her words, the frank
expression Of her eyes, gave no sug-
gestion Of sentiment-she was but a
friend, an ally, performing a woman's
part in the war game.
But l fail to understand"
you mean me? Oh, we'll, you are
not the first; and no doubt It is best
so. The less you understand, the bet
ter we shall get along, Major; the
only question being, will you obey my
orders?"
Had inclination otherwise l fear
l should find it impossible"
Il hardly know whether that remark
be complimentary or not. You might
mean that no other course was left
YOU"
Which suspect is true, although II
It proved so ! should willingly trust
myself to your guidance, because Of
my faith in YOU"
THAT is much better" her eyes
laughing, yet as swiftly SOLDERING again.
But it is foolish Of us to waste time
in such silly speeches. There is too
much waiting attention. Fortunately
this house is not without its secrets,
for when built by my grandfather this
was the frontier"
But does not Grant know?" ] asked
soberly. II understood he played here
as a boy, and there is not much a lad
fails to learn"
Tie is not without knowledge,
surely, but here is something he never
discovered. I would never have trust
ed him with the secret. and yet, as
short a time as ] have known you. I
have no hesitancy- Isn't that a frank
confession, sir?"
one mean you shall never re-
greet"
II am sure Of that; yet ] shall not
betray everything even to you. Please
face about with eyes to the front win
dow. Yes, so; now do not look around
until tell you"
! heard her cross the room. her
skirts rustling slightly. and then the
faint clicking Of some d~elicately ad-
iusted mechanism. AS this sound
ceased, her voice again spoke.
Nov, Major, the way is opened for
a safe retreat. Behold what has been
accomplished by the GENT Of the
She was standing at one side Of
what had been the fireplace, but now
the entire lower portion OF the great
chimney had been swung aside. reveal.
ing an opening amply large enough for
the entrance Of q man. / took one
step forward to where could perceive
the beginning Of a narrow winding
stair leading down into intense black
ness. Then glanced aside into her
eyes.
The concealment was perfect"
exclaimed IN admiration. where does
staircase lead2"
ITO a very comfortable room under
10 had not been used for
generation until this war began. Eric
and learned Of Us existence by acct
dent while rummaging over some Of