Gunnison news-champion., 1912-08-02
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essppins froa the glare q thess
cleaning parlor lights into the gloom
of that narrow passage. blinded me for
the instant, yet a moment later, I be
came aware Of the distant slimmer a
a candle, the faint reflection revealing
the girls face.
"Piease DO net talh do not ash any
tbine-yet." she urged hsrriedly.
noiselessly closing the door at my
back. and as instantly gripping my
sleeve. Her breath came quickly. her
voice trembled from suppressed excite
ment. Come with me, beyond the
light yonder"
I followed her guidance, bewildered,
yet having every confidence the rea-
son for this mysterious occurrence
must be fully justified. The passage
curved slightly. terminating at q closed
door Scarce a reflection of the candle
reached us here. yet my eyes were by
now sufficiently accustomed to the
gloom DO that / could trace the out
ines of her face. A vague doubt took
possession of me.
You are causing me to run away
ire making me appear afraid to meet
lin"
'Ne. 1t 10 not that" swiftly. HE
Sas not coming to you personally at
dl-you were to be srrested?"
what! He knew me them"
An not sure-sOne one did. and
nentiOned his suspicions. Captain
Grant was glad enough Of an excuse,
10 doubt. but he" the soft voice fal-
ering, he made a mistake in twittine
ne for being friendly toward YOU"
And you came to warn. to save
mel" exclaimed. pressing her hand
That was nothing: ! could do no
less. ] am only glad knew the way"
You mean how you might reach me
frst"
Yes: it came to me in fash when
he first left me alone, only ! was not
certain in which parlor you would be
waiting. ] ran through the kitchen
and down the back stairs; I helped
the officers plan their decoration and
IN that way learned Of this private
passage beneath the stairs. II WAS
easy, but-oh. lsteRi they are n
there NJ
We could hear voices through the m
tervening wall clearly enough to even
distinguish words. as the speakers en-.
ercised little restraint. I felt the girls
slender ngure press against me In the
narrow space where we stood. and ]
clung to her hand. both remaining mo
tionless and silent
THAT fellow has run, Grant,"
doomed some one hoarsely. either
afraid. or else what you say he 10.
See here. boy. did you see anyone in
here lately in scarlet Jacket"
Il don just member. sab" answered
a negro. hesitatingly. Il was busy
over dar' cleanin' de sideboad"
We'll, he's not here now, that's Ger
tain." broke in Grant impatiently.
"and we've been in all the parlors?
What next. MacHugh?"
TRY to head him on before he can
get out of the city. of course. That's
his game, probably. Osborne, have
Carter come here at once. Why didn't
you nab the fellow upstairs, Captain?
Fool play that. sending him down
here"
'1 didn't wish to create a row in the
ballroom; he Was with Claire Morti-
mer-"
'Oh. see," laughing coarsely.
Something besides military duty in
yolved, eh?"
'Tn trouble you to be a trifie more
careful. MacHugh." Grant said stiffiy.
The fellow did her a small service in
the afternoon. and she couldn't refuse
dancing with him. as he Was in uni
form. and apparently all right. ad-
wise you 10 drop that part Of the af-
fair Here's Carter now"
could hear the click Of the new
comers spurs as he crossed the room.
MscHueh chuckled-
"Touchy about II just the same, I
Carter. there has been a spy In here
tonight. calling himself Lieutenant
Fortesque. Of the 42nd Regiment He
came through the lines this morning
with dispatches for Howe. l under
stand. Did you meet him.
NO. sir. but one of my men was
riding about with him all day-watts:
l heard him telling about 1t an hour
ago"