The Glenwood post., 1912-10-19

Pardon Me, Gentlemen" She Said
Softly, "but Perhaps Can Explain
Much of This Mystery"
him with bow, and remained stand.
fng, her eyes upon her father. Not
once had she even glanced toward eli.
ther Grant or me, but l noticed the
deep flush of color on cheek evidenc.
ing her excitement What was she
going to explain? How account for
the strange actions of the past few
days? How came she to be here at
all? Would she confess the truth
openly before us all, or would she feel
justified in concealment? | could not,
did not, doubt the honesty of the girls
intent, and yet was it possible for her
to compel these men to accept her Yer.
sion of all which had occurred? Would
she venture a falsehood to protect me,
or to save herself?"
Il have already explained much"
| hastened to say, thinking she might
wish to know.
81 overheard what has already been
Eaid,' she returned quickly, but with.
Uut lOOhluS tONdIu me, anu dppit'l-
ate the care with which my name has
thus far been guarded. Now l am
ready to make my own explanation"
But, first, Claire" said her father
soberly how does it happen you are
here? We supposed you in the hands
of Red Fagin, and a squadron of my
men are out now tracking the fel-
lows"
"f was not in the house when they
came, father; Peter and l were back of
the stables, fortunately mounted. We
were obliged to ride hard, as we were
chased several miles, and returned as
soon as it appeared safe"
"And Eric?"
He departed before Captain Grant
arrived" she replied unhesitatingly,
"and must be already safe within his
own lines
at was Eric, then?"
tVho else could it be? Surely Cap
tain Grant told you as much"
The colonel's eyes wandered about
the little group, and his doubt and be-
wilderment 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 MANI"
She turned, and looked at me for
the first time, silent plea in her blue
eyes.
| 81 do-he is Major Lawrence Of Cen
eral Washington's army" her voice
ioT, but distinct. II have known him
since the Continental troops were first
Quartered in Philadelphia"
started slightly, yet as instantly
recovered my outward composure,
realizing that this strange girl again
purposed protecting me from exposure,
even at the expense of falsehood.
Indeed; you were doubtless aware
then that he was within Sir Henry
Clinton's lines 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 absurd. Did you
tell my father so ridiculous a story,
captain?"
'Did L! What else could say?" he
growled Indignantly. 'sHe was within
our lines in British uniform"
Her long lashes veiled the blue
depths modestly.
"Yet there might be other reasons
for such masquerade, gentlemen" she
confessed. would it be impossible,
think you, that he should have taken
SO great risk to again meet with
me?"
Thew was a silence following the
simple question. broken by Seldon's
laugh, as he slapped his knee in ap-
probation.
Good enough hv Gadl" he ex-
claimed heartily. "'The lass has cleared
the mystery with word The fellow
would be poor soldier indeed to fail
in such a test-eh, Grant?"
The Ranger scowled at him in sui
len response, his face dark with pas
/ sion.
"Hell's acre! This thing may touch
your humor, but not mine What is
the meaning Of your words, Mistress
Clairef Are you shameless, forgetting
the pledge between usf"
She turned her face toward him an
. 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
afflanced to this son Of an aid neigh
bor"
Understood. yes, by those who kind
ly arranged the affair. but the fact