The Glenwood post., 1912-08-10
Promise of Welcome again."

"a olAApC VI WCiSoLAo again.
"Then you mean to return-A prts
oner? I am always msrciful to the
suffering"
mo; we are coming back to Phila'
delphia victors, and soon. l am not
afraid to tell you. l have learned
much today, and go back to report to
| Washington that the exchange of Brit
fish commanders means the early evac
uation of the city. When we meet
again you will not be lady Of the
| Blended Rose, nor will l be wearing
| this uniform"
Her eyes sparkled brightly into
mine. then dropDed demurely.
Il rather like the colors you are
wearing now, and am sure this dress
is most becoming. IL have pas
sion for masquerade"
81 recognize that, but have already
discovered where l can read the truth
now?"
She turned to look, attracted as
had been by the change and hustle
about US. A few feet from where we
stood conversing, large folding doors,
| previously concealed by draperies,
were suddenly flung wide open. re-
vealing a magnificent dining hall.
Dazzled by the magnificent spectacle,
turned to my companion, unable to
resist temptation. She must have in.
stantly read the purpose in my face,
for she grasped my sleeve.
mo; you must not think of remain
| ing moment longer. There will be
a seat reserved for me, and Captain
Grant is coming this way now. Some
| thing is wrong, l am sure; l have no
| time to explain, but promise me you
will leave here at once-at once"
Her eyes, her words, We're so In
| sistent l could not refuse, although as
glanced about l felt convinced
there was no danger in this assem-
| blage, not a familiar face meeting
| mine. At the instant Grant came up,
| elbowing his way through the press,
and staring insolently into my eyes,
even as he bowed politely to the lady
| beside me.
"At least this is my privilege" he
| insisted, unless there be another pre-
( NlOu5 engagement vi WHICH L dill lPuO.
rant"
| "Oh, no." and she rested her hands
on the green sleeve, smiling from his
| face into mine. I'VE We're waiting for
you to come. Goodnight, Lieutenant
| Fortesque."
They had taken step or two, when
Grant halted, holding her arm tightly
as he glanced back to where l stood
would Lieutenant Fortesque spare
me a moment after l have found the
lady seat?" he questioned politely.
Gladly, if you do not keep me
waiting too long"
"Then there will be no delay. Shall
We say the parlor below?"
l moved, conscious of the mute ap-
peal in the lady's face, yet with no
excuse for refusal
AS well there as anywhere, sir"
Once again we bowed with all the
punctilous ceremony OF mutual dis.
| like, and he whispered something into
her ear as they disappeared in the
stream of people. My cheeks burned
with Indignation at his cool insolence
| What could it mean? Was he merely
| seeking a quarrel? or was there some.
| thing else concealed behind this re.
quest? In either case l knew not how
| to act, and yet felt no inclination to
avoid the meeting. Studying over the
situation l pushed my way through
| the crowd across the floor of the ball.
room There were a few people still
lingering on the stairs, but. except for
| the servants, the parlors below were
deserted. | walked the length of one
of the great rooms, and halted in
front of a fireplace to await Grants
| coming. l was eager to have this af.
| fair settled, and be off. compre.
hended now the risk ! had assum ed
by remaining so long, and began to
| feel the cords of ENHANCEMENT draw.
| ing about me. There was a door op.
posite where l stood, and, staring
toward it, l saw it open slightly, and,
back in the darkness, the beckoning
of hand. Startled, yet realizing that
| it must mean me, l stepped closer
| gripping the hilt of my sword, half
| suspecting treachery.
Quick" and l recognized the deep
contralto of the voice. Don't stop to
question; there is not a moment to
lose."