The Irish standard., 1912-05-25

nothing, there. as you know. The
house has been stripped to a mere
shell. Not a niger left. nor horse.
I'd like to know what influence. keeps
this property untouched!"
/ That's easily answered. You forget
We are a divided family, with fighting
men on either side" "
Little these outlaws care for that"
AT least they. appear to, as we re-
main unmolested. There has not been
q raiding party halted here since the
war began"
'Well, II you hadn't been at home,
there would have been one along
now" burst forth Grant rather rough.
ly. "Those fellows out there are des.
perate enough to sack the house If
that was their only method of getting
food. And promised they should have
the chance" 49,.
"oh, you did, indeed! That would
have proven friendly act"
Necessity does not take much &C.
count of friendship. I was responsible
for hundred starving men. Under
such conditions force would be justi-
fled. doubt IL I could control the fel-
lows now If provisions should be re-
fused"
There is no necessity for indulging
In threats, Captain Grant," said the
boys voice coldly. "Elmhurst has
never yet turned a soldier away in
hunger. Peter will instruct what few
servants remain to attend to the i'm.
mediate needs Of your men. May ask
how long you expect to remain?"
l thought Grant was walking nerv.
ously back and forth across the room.
GLOW long? Until night, probably.
Then with a bite in our haversacks
we'll take the road again. That is,
providing you condescend to act as
our host for so long time. Odds life!
but this reception is not over warm to
my thinking" ..
| "Elmhurst is not q tavern, sir.",
mo; but the home of a loyalist-the
commander of half those men out yon.
der. However I am not pleading for
them, but myself personally. What
welcome have had? By all the gods,
was almost compelled to fight that
bald-headed old fool to even gain ad.
mittance to the hall. Were those your
orders?"
"Assuredly not. But you must con.
slider circumstances, and forgive Peter
for being over Jealous In my service.
| I received you as soon as I knew who
you were."'
eyes," somewhat Modified. IT pre-.
sumo that is true, although you are
chilly enough, the Lord knows. But
!, what brings you here?"
"That must remain my secret. Cap
tain Grant-for the present"
"Oh, very well. thought 1t might
have some connection with Eric's pres.
.ence in this neighborhood."
with Eric! What do you meant
lsHave you seen him?" ,..-..,,- ..,
."Ah!> 80 I've got below the surface
at last! I thought might with tina,
thrust. Yes, I saw him last night.
| didn't know what the devil the fellow
was up to, but thought I'd let, him
play out his game. It was a. right
nervy trick, SO far as 1t went, but UNI
fortunately the rebels came in before
I discovered what it all led up to-"
"You do not make 1t very clear to
me-"
II told you 1t was not even clear to
myself. This is all I know. When ]
Joined Delavan last night Just after
dark, he had a young officer Of Light
Dragons in charge of his advance
guard. merely got glimpse of the
fellow as We rode in, and he looked
so devilishly like Eric that I asked
Delavan who the lad was. He said he
had Joined at Mount Holly with three
men, was going through to Philadel
phia with dispatches from New York
and was only too glad Of escort the
rest Of the way. Being. short of off
GERS Delavan gave him charge of thu
van." -
did he recognize you?"
II hardly think so; it was pretty
dark, and was put on guard over the
rear wagons. l supposed would have
J. ample opportunity to learn the truth
after it became daylight.
"But you believed him to be Eric?"
Eyes. and after the attack I .waa
convinced. He and the. three men with
him bolted and got away. Must, have
run at the first fire, for the; fellows
had US completely hemmed In, It was
Eric all right. and that is about hall
| the reason why led my men back
here-I wanted to find out If he waa
hiding about the old place. Is It true
you haven't seen him?"
"Quite true; indeed I had no reason
to suppose him in the Jerseys at this
i time"
Grant remained silent, probably not
wholly convinced that he was being
told the truth, and yet not venturins
to state openly his suspicious. How
!. ever the other said no more, and final
ly the Ranger felt compelled to an.