The Glenwood post., 1912-09-28
Very well, indeed" her eyes falling,
because it was myself"
CHAPTER XIV.
Gntombed,

1 had not suspected it; however OBJ.
Vlous II may appear now to those who
read this tale, the possibility that she
had been masquerading in an officers
uniform, indulging in warlike deeds,
had never once occurred to me. She
was SO thoroughly feminine that her
acknowledgment came as a distinct
shock. had, it is true, seen suffi-
cient of life to be of charitable mind,
and yet there was that within me
which instantly revolted. She read all
this in my face, but fronted me with
out the culver of an eyelash, firmly
withdrawing her hand.
1T is easy to perceive your disap-
proVal,' she said more coldly, "but I
have no further explanation to make
am sorry to have you think i'll of
me. but | felt that perhaps you might
realize my action was justified"
1T is not that" l fastened to ex-
plain, ashamed of myself. Il have not
lost faith in you. But l was brought
up in a strict school; my mother was
almost puritanical in her rules of con-
duct, and l have never entirely out
grown her conception of feminine linn
itatlons. am sure you have only done
what is right and womanly. Do not
permit my first surprise to end our
friendship"
"That is for you to determine, Major
Lawrence. have confessed, and thus
cleared my conscience of deceit Some
day you may also learn the cause of
my action, but in the meantime it
must bear your disapproval. However,
we need discuss the matter no
longer
She sprang to the door, and glanced
out into the hall. stepping back once
more as Peter appeared. His eyes
swept the room in silent observation.
captain Grant and the two officers
with him have concluded their meal,
Mistress Claire" he announced calm.
ly, "and one of them has gone for a
file of soldiers to begin the search OF
the house"
very well, Peter; go back and as.
sist them. l will see to the safe con.
cealment of Major Lawrence"
He bowed graciously, and disap.
peared.
you have not given me your par.
don," l implored as our eyes again
met.
There is nothing to pardon to my
knowledge. l respect you because Of
your sense of propriety, but we cannot
talk longer now. You must enter the
passage at once"
You will give me your hand first?"
"Gladly," and l felt its firm pres
sure, her face frightened by smile.
Now let us remember rather the
danger, the necessity of concealment,
and not delay too long. Wait a mo,
ment, major; is it true you absolutely
trust me-
ut certainly is"
81 am going to put that to the test.
You have papers you desire to give
at once INTO the hands of General
Washington. You may be detained
here some time, but l have with me
an Indian who could take them across
the Delaware tonight. 1t is not the
first time he has made that journey.
Will you contide them to me?"
Our eyes were looking directly into
each other. l may have hesitated an
instant, confused by the unexpected
request, yet there was something in
the expression of the girls face which
swept doubt swiftly aside. Without a
word l took them from an inner pock-
ct, and gave them to her. The red
lips smiled, the blue eyes Frightening.
"Tonepah shall leave within the
hour" she promised, thrusting the
small packet into the bosom of her
dress. Now step within. major, and l
will close the door"
1 did as she requested, hearing the
click of the lock behind me, and be.
ing as instantly plunged into dark.
ness. l waited moment, my foot upon
the first narrow stair, listening. No
sound reached me from without, and
with her animated face still before me
in memory, l began to slowly feel my
way down the circular staircase. There
was nothing dangerous about the pas.
sage, but with only the bare stone wall
to touch with the hand l was obliged
to grope along blindly The huge
chimney had evidently been erected
merely for concealment, and l mar.
veled at the ingenuity of it's construc.
ton. l failed to count the steps, but
l went around and around so many
times, pressed against the smooth
wall. that knew must be well below
the basement Of, the house before l
finally stood at the bottom. / groped
forward in the intense darkness, feel.
ing with outstretched hands. The first
object encountered was a rough table,
the surface Of which l explored, dis
covering thereon a candlestick with
flint and steel beside it. With relief
l struck a spark, and a yellow flame
revealed my surroundings.
What l saw was a low room some
fifteen feet square, the walls and roof
apparently of stone securely mortared,
the only exit the narrow circular