The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-05-24

brother"
yes, an as great a rogue as the
girl, with the same laughing blue
eyes"
And Mistress Claire" questioned.
ION which side is she?"
Can you ask that after having met
her as a Lady of the Blended Rose
Pshaw, man, l could almost give you
list Of the loyalist DANES who make
sport for the British garrison, an
Mistress Claire is not least in rank
or beauty among them. What else
could you expect OF young girl when
her father wears the green an white,
while her lover has made a reputation
hereabout with his hireling raiders?"
You mean Grant?"
Certainly; they have been engaged
from childhood, though God pity the
poor girl II they ever marry. His work
in the Jerseys has been almost as
merciless as that Of Red Fagin, an
t is even whispered about they ride
together at times. l doubt If she
knows the whole truth about him,
though she can scarcely deem him an
angel even at that. Surely you never
supposed her on our side?"
"She helped me-" l insisted, know
ing who l was, and even said she
wished my cause we'll"
"The inconsistency of a woman;
perhaps the two had had some misun-
derstanding, an she was glad enough
to outwit the fellow"
mo, t was not that, am sure; /
could read truth in her eyes"
"In Claire's eyesl" he laughed out
right. "Oh, know the innocent blue
of them, and warn you not to trust
such blindly. Other men have thought
the same, an found out they read
wrongly when the end came-ay!
many of them. When she was but
slip of a lass 1 found out her eyes
played merry tricks, an yet love her
as though she were my own daughter.
An she's a good girl in spite of all
the mischief in her."
And she is TRULY a loyalist?"
'If not, know no better. The rebel
bAOOO I'D OH III lnO DOJ bO 4dA GO 4 AtlAA
learn, yet l will not answer for what
Mistress Claire might do"
We fell silent, my memory with the
girl, endeavoring to recall her exact
words, the expression of her face. 1t
was not in my heart to believe she had
deceived me.
had almost forgotten where was,
as well as the presence Of my COM
panion, when he suddenly arose to his
feet, and, pushing aside the wooden
window shutter, looked out. A glance
of his keen eyes was sufficient
Get back into your box, Major" he
exclaimed quickly. Pull the papers
over you"
l was upon my feet, conscious Of the
distant sound Of horses hoofs.
What is it? The enemy?"
Rangers; fifty of them, judge, an
they'll never pass here without rum
maging around. Quick now, under coy-
err"
"But what about yourself?"
Don't worry about me; those fell
lows haven't any evidence against me
yet. They're after you"
was through the intervening door |
with bound and an instant later had |
burrowed under the crumpled papers.
The shifting of the sun had left this
corner Of the repair shop in shadow,
but was scarcely outstretched in my
hastily improvised hiding place, when
heard the blacksmith calmly open
his outer door, where he stood smok
ing, clad in leathern apron, awaiting
the approaching ,horsemen. They
swept about the corner of the smithy
almost at the same moment, pulling
up their tired horses at sight Of him.
From amid the thud of hoofs, and the
rattle Of accoutrements, voice spoke
sharply;
$50 you're here, Farrell, you old
rebel hypocrite. Well, what are you
hiding now?"
81 was not aware that I had any
thing to hide, Captain Grant," was the
dignified response. This is my shop,
an where should be-"
ooh, hell! We all know you we'll
enough, you old fox, and Wen catch
you red-handed yet, and hang you.
But we're not hunting after your kind
-oday. Did you see anything Of fell
ow in sarlet jacket along here last
night, or this morning?"
l failed to catch Farrell's answer,
out the voice of the officer was suf-
iciently loud to reach me.
"A rebel spy; the sneaking rascal
must have swan the Delaware. Well
ook about your shop just the same
before we ride on. Mason, take a half
lozen men with you, and rake the
,lace over"
heard the sound Of their boots on
he floor, and burrowed lower in my
,ox Two or three entered the old
hop, and began to probe about among
he debris. One kicked the box in
which l lay, and thrust a bayonet
own through the loose papers, barely
Missing my shoulder. With teeth
linched l remained breathless, but
he fellow seemed satisfied, and moved
n, after searching the dark corner
eyond. At last ] heard them all go
ut, mumbling to each other, and ven
lred to sit up again, and draw a fresh
reath. They had left the door ajar.
nd had glimpse through the crack.
'arrell was leaning cRrelessly In the