The Cairo bulletin., 1912-06-18

chased several miles, and returned as
soon as ii appeared safe"
And Eric?"
"Ia departed before Captain Grant
arrived" she replied unhesitatingly,
and must be already safe within his
own lines"
ut was Eric, them"
"Who else could 1t be? Surely Cap
tain Grant told you as much"
The colonels eyes wandered about
he little group. and his doubt and be
witderment were clearly evident.
DO you know Eric's purpose in
coming here? In presuming to act as
an officer in Delavan's company?"
HE did not inform me, sir"
"You know this man."
She turned, aud looked at me for
| the first time, u silent plea in her blue
eyes.
Il do--he is Major Lawrence OF Cen
erai Washirston army" her voice
| low. but distinct. Il have known him
since the Continental troops were first
quartered in Philadelphia
started slightly, yet as instantly
recovered my outward eompoaure,
| realizing that this strange girl again
purposed protecting me from exposure,
even at tho expense OF falsehood,
Indeed; you were doubtless aware
, then that he was within Sir Henry
I Clint0n's Inca as a spy?"
Far from it," she laughed easily,
not glancing toward me, but permit
, ting her eyes to rest upon the bewil-
dered face Of Captain Grant. why,
that idea is perfectly abGurd. Did you
tell my father so ridiculous a story,
captaih?"
did I! What else could l say" he
growled indignantly. He was within
/ our lines in British uniform"
Her long lashes yelled the blue
4 depths modestly.
yet there might be other reasons
for such masquerade, gentlemen" she
confessed. would 1t be impossible,
| think you, that he should have taken
so great a risk to again meet with
me-"
There was q silence following the
/ simple question, broken by Seldons
/ laugh. as he slapped his knee in ap-
probation.
! Good enough. by Gadt' he ex-
I vlunmeu noanly, ne lass mas cleared
the mystery with word. The fellow
would be a poor soldier indeed to fail
in such - tsst--eh, Grant?"
The Ranger acoVled at him 10 sui
| len response, his face dark with pas.
! sion
"HelPs acre! This thing may touch
| your humor, but not mine. What is
| the meaning of your words, Mistress
Claire? Are you shameless, forgetting
the pledge between us?"
| She turned her face toward him as
q queen might. her head held high,
her cheeks flaming.
"You have said your answer once
for all, Captain Grant There is no
| pledge between U.S."
But, daughter" broke In the colonel,
still bewildered by this sudden explo
| sion. Il can scarcely comprehend;
| surely 1t was understood that you were
| afllanced to this son Of an aid neigh
Dor"
Understood, yes, by those who kind
ly arranged the affair, but the fact
that | might possess heart Of my
own was entirely overlooked AS a
child | permitted you to plan my fu
ture without protest. ! am a woman
now; ! have been out in the world;
| the war has taken all girlhood from
mo. II this We're not true the way
Captain Grant has watched my every
| action in Philadelphia would have dis
gusted me with the thought Of ever
| intrusting my happiness to him. He
has openly quarreled with every man
| have spoken to, or danced with He
has made me the sport of all the city
gallants by Jealous wrangling. Now
| 1t is done with. 'Tia In shame that |
I am driven to say all this here in pres
| ence Of these gentlemen, but / will not
stand in silence while Major Lawrence
| 40 btiA5 ScitucLiIfA 90 a spy Al6 w do
| at the dance to meet again with me,
and for no other purpose"
Colonel Mortimer's face had ex.
| pressed many emotions, while she was
speaking, but now it hardened into
military severity, his hand ciinched
on the arm of the chair.
do understand, then, that this
officer was there at your request?"
II think" hesitating slightly, "he
knew he was not unwelcome."
And" his voice breaking slightly,
she came here also to meet your"
Certainly not" her head lifting In.
dignantly. Il am your daughter. and
am guilty of nothing unworthy our
family name, have no shamesto con-
TESS. Major Lawrence Ia din officer
and a gentleman, the friend OF Wash
fngton, and my friend also. At any
other time he would be welcome
guest at our table. If he risked his
life to meet with me In Philadelphia
1t was done openly and honorably in
tho midst Of acquaintances. There
has been nothing hidden or clandes-
! tine. He was brought to Elmhurst q