American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-08-29

light Dragon lieutenant. Uncertai
what best to do ! stole toward tn,
door and gripped the knob. This wa
the only known way out, for | dar
not venture TO use the window whicl
was IN plain view of those soldier
resting on the lawn. Whether Pete
mad retired or not, / possessed n,
means of knowing, yet | opened III,
door silently a bare inch to make sure
AT the same instant my ears caugh
the l~ieutenant's dismissing order, evel
as my eyes had glimpse OF Swanson'
broad back blocking the open doorwa,
OF a room nearly opposite.
THAT will do, Peter, for the present
Have the table prepared for tire,
guests at once"
He backed out, casting a quicl
glance of caution in my direction. an(
disappeared down the hall, rubbing hi
bald head industriously. | opened The
door wider, wondering if l dare ven
ture upon slipping by unobservdi
Then Grant spoke, his voice lout
enough to be easily heard:
How did W. come here? Why
where else could we go? The damned
rebels stripped us clean; we had tc
have food. This was the nearest
place where We were certain of getting
any. OF course l didn't know our
toragers had left Elmhurst alone, and
that-for some cause which mystifes
Clinton-these Jersey outlaws have
been equally considerable. There was
plenty to be had here, and | meant to
have 1t in spite of the servants"
You must have marched straight
past your own place." the boyish voice
Interrupted.
We'll, what II we did. There was
nothing there, as you know. The
house has been stripped to a mere
shell. Not a niger left. nor a 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
a raiding party halted here since the
war began"
We'll, If 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 I promised they should have
the chance"
ooh, you did. indeed! That would
proven a friendly act"
Necessity does not take much sc-
count Of friendship. l was responsible
for a hundred starving men. Under
such conditions force would be iusti-
bed. doubt if l could control the fel.
.ows nov if provisions should be re-
There is no necessity for INDUCING
threats, Captain Grant" said the
voice coldly. 'Elmhurst has
never yet turned a soldier away in
Peter will instruct what few
servants remain to attend TO the i'm
mediate needs Of your men. May l ask
low long you expect to remain"
thought Grant was walking nerv-
back and forth across the room.
How long? Until night. probably.
Then with a bite in our haversacks
veil take the road again. That is,
providing o condescend to act as
our host for so long a time. Odds life.
this reception is not over warm to
ny thinking"
"Elmhurst is o a tavern, sir"
No; but the home of a loyalist-the
commander Of half those men out yon.
Ter. However l am not pleading for
hem, but myself personally. What
Welcome have l had? By all the gods,
was almost compelled to fight that
'ald-headed old fool to ever gain ad.
nittance to the hall. Were those your
"Assuredly not. But you must con.
ider circumstances, and forgive Peter
Ia,A ia J.