The Southern herald., 1912-10-25
COFRGT AcfrdUhs & CO. 1911

I
partisans, and nov YEARLY seeking
refuge. But why were they ooming
here@ Surely this vas not the Phila- |
delphia road?
They turned in upon the open lawn
in front Of the door, and could plain
ly distinguish the faces. There could
no longer be any doubt but what these
were the men We had fought and de-
feated the evening before. Grant, with
the two Hessian officers, was in sd-
vance, and the former strobe directly
toward the house. while the majority
Of his following flung themselves at
full length on the ground, as though
utterly exhausted. Sbme strange fas-
cination held ne motionless, watching
the man climb the front steps. The
iron knocker rang loudly twice before
there came any response from with
In. Then could hear voices, but the
words reaching me were detached. and
without definite meaning. Finally the
door closed, and the two men passed
along the hall. beyond the room in
which ! waited. Then Peters voice
said solemnly, as II announcing a dis.
tinguished guest:
, Captain Alfred Grant,"
There was an exclamation Of SUI
prise. a quick exchange of sentences
indistinguishable. although was sure
: Of Grants peculiar accent, and the
} other voice was that Of the young
light Dragon lieutenant. Uncertain
, what best to do | stole toward the
r door and gripped the knob. This was
the only known way out. for | dare
! not venture to use the window which
e was in plain view Of those soldiers
resting on the lawn. Whether Peter
e had retired or not. possessed no
E means Of knowing. yet l opened the
e door silently bare inch to make sure.
D At the same instant my ears caught
the lieutenant's dismissing order. even
E as my eyes had glimpse of Swanson's
q broad back blocking the open doorway
/ OF a room nearly opposite.
:. That will do, Peter, for the present.
Have the table prepared for three
5 guests at once"
d He backed out, casting quick
d glance of caution in my direction, and
s disappeared down the hall, rubbing his
r, bald head industriously opened the
u door wider, wondering II dare ven
r ture upon slipping by unobserved
t. Then Grant spoke, his voice loud
l. enough to be easily heard
It How did we come here! Why
A where else could we go? The damned
't rebels stripped us clean; we had tC
% have food. This was the nearest
T. place where we we're certain Of getting
8, any. OF course l didn't know oul
s, foragers had left Elmhurst alone, ant
D. that-for some cause which mystihei
)f Clinton-these Jersey outlaws have
ID been equally considerate. There wal
r, plenty to be had here. and meant t
70 have It In spite Of the servants"
'e You must have marched straigh
g. past your own place." the boyish volc'
r, interrupted.
well, what II we did? There wal
n nothing there, as you know. Tn,
ly house has been stripped to a mer
lg shell. Not niger left, nor a horse
In I'd like to know what influence keep
this property untouched"
That's easily answered. You forge
I'd we are a divided family, with fightlni
Is, men on either side"
m Little these outlaws care for that.
AT least they appear to, as we re
1e main unmolested. There has not beel
e, raiding party halted here since tn
le war began"
well, II you hadn't been at home
m there would have been one alon
st now" burst forth Grant rather rough
in ly. Those fellows out there are des
O. perate enough to sack the house
is that was their only method of gettin
food. And promised they should hav
the chance"
"Oh, you did, indeed! That woul
have proven friendly act"
h Necessity does not take much az
count Of friendship. was responsible
It, for a hundred starving men. Unde
such conditions force would be Just
1t, fed. I doubt If could control the fe
i'd lows now II provisions should be r,
to fused"
er There is no necessity for indulgin
in threats, Captain Grant," said tn
Ia boys voice coldly. "Elmhurst ha
never yet turned a soldier away
" hunger. Peter will instruct what fe'
ed servants remain to attend to the in
ad mediate needs of your men. May as
N, how long you expect to remainf"
or thought Grant was walking ner'
heN ously back and forth across the room
IN How long? Until night, probabl,
", Then with a bite in our haversack
we'll take the road again. That Il
ng providing you condescend to act q
our host for 30 long time. Odds life
but this reception is not over warm I
my thinking"
"Elmhurst is not tavern, SIR"
mo; but the home Of loyalist-th