The Glenwood post., 1912-09-14

The lieutenantF"
/ He bowed solemnly, and asked:
Would you object if l smoked, sir?"
Certainly not; only answer my
questions. Good heavens, man! do you
.hink 7 am a log of wood? Act like
human being. Who is the lieutenant"
"A Dragon. sir"
/ Peter" l broke out, irritated be-
/ Tond patience, 81 have some reason to
believe you liar. But I'm going to
/ get the truth from you if l have 70
:hoke it out"
Yes sir; very good, indeed, sir.
However, there would seem to be no
/ iced Of your resorting to such ex-
/ Ieme measures, sir"
Then you will tell me what l wish
% know"
at will afford me pleasure, SIR"
Somehow l could not rid myself of
he suspicion that the fellow was Sc
| ,retly laughing at me, yet his round
lace was innocent and placid, his eyes
/ discreetly lowered.
Then kindly inform me, first of all,
who this young lieutenant is"
u fear, sir" solemnly, that may
have misinformed you when l said
I he was a Dragon"
yes" eagerly.
q would correct my statement some
what-he is a Light Dragon, sir"
In spite of my effort at self-control,
/ swuEe, tempted TO batter that stolid
Face, yet realizing the utter useless
ness Of such violence.
"Now, see here!" broke forth
fergeIy. Have done with your play.
You are no soldier; I doubt if you
/ were ever on a horses back until to-
night. And those fellows with you are
/ not Queens Rangers, III swear"
GLOW do you know, sir?" he inter-
rupred gently. Are you in the army,
| sir?"
"Of coure I am cried, answering
without consideration.
q thought so. sir; although your
{ clothes do not proclaim the fact. May
[ ask which army9"
He had turned the tables most neat
ly, and l glanced down over my rough
garments, awakening suddenly to the
knowledge that l was also in mas
querale. To be sure l had one ad
t'vantage-I knew these men had been
part of Delavan's foragers, and hence
at heart must be loyalists.
THAT is not a question l intend an
swering to every ruffian who stops me
on the highway" l returned shortly.
II wish 10 know what this outrage
means? / will know, you wooden-head-
ed image! ] was about my business
when the four of you attacked me. l
wasn't the man you were after at all,
and yet ! am held prisoner, shut up
here behind iron bars. What is this
place, anyhow"
at is called 'Elmhurst,' sir"
"Elmhurst? A country estate?"
"Yes, sir, one Of the old plantations"
TITS name ! never heard. Where
Is that precious lieutenant"
Il presume he is in bed, sir" and
Peter rose quietly TO his feet, and be-
gan replacing TIE dishes on his tray.
Apparently there was not nervous
throb to his pulse, and he remained
blissfully Indifferent to my presence.
l stared helplessly at him, even words
failing me.
you refuse to inform me as TO the
truth of this AFFAIR."" faltered at last,
as he lifted his burden on one arm
He turned stolid face my way.
Il would seem so, sir. ! have to
thank you for most delightful eve
ming, sir. Your conversation has been
both instructive and entertaining
However, sir, the hour is now late.
and ! should advise your retiring"
He bowed solemnly, backing toward
the door, and ! sprang to my feet
overtaken by sudden determination
to make break for freedom. There
was slight glitter in Peters gray
eyes, as he raped sharply with his
heel on the door.
81 hardly think that would be advis-
| able, sir" he warned softly The man
outside is armed, and in the excite
ment might hurt you"
There was click of the lock, and
the heavy door swung open. | stood
motionless, tempted TO spring, yet not
| daring the venture. Peter backed
majestically out, and l caught a
glimpse of the graybeard, and the
black outline OF pistol. Then the
door closed, leaving me alone. The
little scrap of candle left sputtered
feebly, and, after walking across the
floor half-dozen times, striving to
gain control of my temper, ! blew it
out, and crawled into the bunk. There
was nothing ] could do, but wait for
morning; not sound reached me
from without, and, before I realized
the possibility, | was fast asleep,
Continued next weekly