Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-08-08
CHAPTER XXI.
A Threatened Marriage.

~ lITOdISIOu WdfIIdyOs
Fagin heard them coming and took
his boots from the table, and sat up
straight in his chair; the preacher
pushed his back until half concealed
behind the door; Grant never looked
around. Jones came into view first,
and behind him walked Claire, her
cheeks flushed, her head held high. At
the door she paused, refusing to enter,
her eyes calmly surveying the occu-
pants.
"You sent for me, sir" she said
coldly. MAY ask for what purpose?"
Even Fagin's cool insolence was I'M
able to withstand unmoved her beauty
and her calmness of demeanor. Ap-
parently he had never met her before,
for, with face redder than ever, he got
to his feet, half bowling, and STAN
mering slightly.
"BIy name Is Fagin, Mistress" he
said, striving to retain his accustomed
roughness. II reckon you have heard
OF me-"
II have" proudly, her eyes meeting
his, "and, therefore, wonder what your
purpose may be in ordering me here. l
wish to return to my father who re-
quires my services"
The guerilla laughed, now angered
by her manner
well, thought I'd tell you who
was SO you wouldn't try any high and
mighty business" he said coarsely,
and eying her fiercely. THAT amt the
sort O. thing that goes with me, an
yer amt the first one I've taken down
a peg or two. However, don't mean
you no harm, only you'd better behave
yourself Yer know that man over
there, don't yer?"
He indicated with nod Of the head,
and Claire glanced in that direction,
but without speaking.
'Well, can't you answer?"
81 recognize Captain Grant, If that
Is what you mean"
81 was speaking English, wasn't I?
Yer ought to know him-yer engaged
ter him, amt yer?"
Certainly not" Indignantly.
Grant turned about, his face witch
ing.
This is not my fault, Claire" he
exclaimed swiftly. Don't blame me
for it. am also prisoner, and help
less"
She never looked at him, never an,
swered,--her entire attention concen
trated on Fagin, who was grinning
with enjoyment. ------->
That's sure right, young LADY, he
said grimly. "The Captain is only
obeyin' orders ter save his own neck
There's no love lost atween us, lei
me tell yer. But we're not so blame
merciless after all, an reckon, we've
got about all thar is in the house
worth cartln' away. Now we're goin
to have some fun, an leave two happ!
hearts behind Amt that it, Jones
Clinton's licked; Washington has hi
hands full up north; an this hui
blame country is ours Somewhere
Mistress, I've heard tell that you an
this Captain was pretty thlck-how Il
! it?"
Her eyes exhibited indignant sur
prise, but, after an instant's hesta
ton, her lips answered
81 hardly know what you mean, sill
We were children together" -
AN engaged ter be married-eh?
"There was an arrangement of tina
nature between our parents. But VIII,
should this interest your"
! He ignored the question, but hi
eyes hardened.
81 Heard 1t this way. You were en-
gagged until few weeks ago. The
you met damned Continental, spy
an imagined yer fell in love with him
Now de yer know what interest Nv
got? I'm with the Red-coats, an II
can turn trick fer that side III
a-goin' ter do it. You'll be blessin' m
fer it some day. Now, see here, CIR
I'm a-goin ten marry yer off befor
leavin' this house. reckon yer ain
lntendin' to make no fuss about 1
are yer?"
She did not appear to comprehend
to realize the man was in earnest; sh
even smiled slightly.
as this some Joke. sir, that ia
to grasp2" she asked. "Will you nc
explainT"
Explain, HE'LL" and Fagin clappe
his hat on his head, uttering a roug
oath. 81 spoke plain enough. Y,
a-goin' ter marry Grant, here an nov
an there's the parson, waitin' ter q
the job"
She partly turned, and as 81
j. recognized jerks, the color desertt
, her cheeks, and her hands grasped Il
; side Of the door for support.
Marry Captain Grant! II" she Q
, claimed, Mortified. mo, neverl"
a ooh, guess yer will, my beaut
4 Good Lord, why not? He's not
= bad; there's many girl would jun
a at the chance Your plantations joi
! an he's Kings officer"
: f'Listen TO me, sir" she broke
a now cool and determined. "I1l gil
p you my answer. have already Civ,
/, Il to Captain Grant. / will not mar
him-not even to save this house fro
destruction; not even to release II
/ brother from your hands. We CT
! suffer, II necessary, for we are OF
A fighting race, but shall never vie
to threats"
4 She swept past him, around the Ell
n OF the table, and confronted Graz
:. who drew back step, scowling.
$50 this is your way, is It, to win
4 woman you cannot gain by ia
means? No, there is no need OF 20
u answering; ! understand the who
a despicable scheme. You masquera
Ing az a prisoner of this creatur
> You are his puppot. I've known II I
; months. : learned the truth fro
= Eric, and from that moment despis
YOU. While ] believed you an hont