The Cairo bulletin., 1912-06-29
,CpralnH Acrc Iuec SEQ Dt1

leaning forward to look into her face.
why should I? General WASHINGTON
told me 1t was Erie who came for his
father Why should suspect in this
darkness?'
Il represented myself as Eric
she stammered.
| And was 1t you also who rode into
our lines yesterday. telling of elm
! toms whereabouts
YES" hesitatlngly. her eyes lifting
to my face.
| "But you must listen to me. Major
Lawrence; you must learn why did
| so unwomanly an act"
First answer one question"
Gladly"
as there an Eric Mortimer
| There 49," she answered frankly
my brother. 1t was for his sake ]
did all this"
A moment I sat In my saddle 81.
| lently. our horses walking side by side
through the night, while / endeavored
| TO grasp the meaning of her confess
| sion. knew that she was riding bare.
headed. her face turned away.
GO on" l said at last, tell me the
| whole story"
Il WILL" firmly, her head uplifted. II
was tempted to do so at Elmhurst,
but something seemed to seal my lips.
| There Is now no longer any excuse for
silence. IL wish you to know, and.
then, perhaps. you may feel more
kindly disposed toward me-"
| Your father is aware"
No, not even father. He is scarce
| ly conscious OF what is going on about
him. Peter knows, and Tonepah,"
| with wave of her hand into the dark
| shadows.
They are with you, housekeeping
guard over him?"
Yes; they have known from the
beginning; not everything, OF course,
for that was not necessary. Peter is
an old servant, silent and trustworthy,
He would never question an act OF
mine, while the Indian has reason to
be grateful and loyal to ME. What
ever indiseFetion, Major Lawrence.
may have been guilty of, have gone
nowhere unaccompanied by these
two, You will believe that?"
Yes, and whatever else you tell
mo"
| "That, now, must necessarily be
| the entire story. Az | proceed you
will be convinced. I think, that only a
true confidence In. you would enable
me to speak with such frankness. II
know of no one else In whom could
| contide, and-and the time hass come
when / must have help-the help of a
friend should have explained to
my father-indeed intended to do so
/ but now he is helpless to aid me.
| There Is no one else ! feel able to
trust. I-I-you were In my thought
| tonight; IL am not sure | did not
syen pray for your coming, and--and
then God sent you"
My hand sought hers, and held II
| against my horses name.
| "Tell 1t in your own way. DEAR" ]
whispered.
She flashed one glance into my face,
leaving her hand in mine, while our
| horses took dozen strides.
ut win not take long, she began,
In so low a voice, that leaned for
ward to listen, "and you already know
I many of the characters and can Judge
their motives. have been strangely
| situated since the commencement OF
his war, only. surely ours is not the
only family divided in its loyalty. My
ather was a. Kings officer, and felt il
MS duty to serve the crown. While
he has said little, yet know that
Town in his heart his sympathies have
been with the Colonies. Those OF my
brother were openly from the start
and my father has never attempted to
i interfere with his actions. They talk.
I'd 1t all over together, and Eric chose
his own course. Only Alfred Grant
made trouble, presuming on what he
.ermed our engagement, and endeavor'
ed TO force my brother to Join the
Kings troops. The two quarreled bit
.erly, and Eric. a hot.headed boy
struck him. Grant has never forgiven
hat blow, nor Eric's influence over
ne, To the latter he attributes my
Iislike-yet this was not true; 1t was
because as I grew older realized the
II character of the man"
She paused moment, gathering the
threads Of thought more closely.
lid not speak, preferring she should
ell the story In her own way.
The two did not meet after thai
or many months, The Queens
Rangers, in which regiment my fla
her secured Grant commission
we're in New York, while Eric was sta
toned up the river with Morgan''
fflemen.. When New Jersey was in
Saded, both commands came south
ind, because of Eric's knowledge O
his country, he was detailed as scout
This