The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-07-05
Copyright 4 O Aoolssg . o.. islL
CHAPTER xxxil.


| CHAPTER xxxik
+ A Threatened Marriage.
| Fagin heard them coming and tool
his boots from the table. and sat VI
straight In his chair; the preacher
pushed his back until half concealed
behind the door; Grant never looked
around. Jones came into view first
and behind him walked Claire. bel
cheeks flushed. her head held high. Al
the door she paused. refusing to enter
her eyes calmly surveying the occu
pants.
-You sent for me, SIR" she said
ccldly. May ! ask for what purpose? p
Even Fagin's cool insolence was un-
able to Withstand unmoved her beauty
and her calmness Of demeanor. Ap.
parently he had never met her before.
for. with face redder than ever, he got
10 HE feet: half bowling. and STAN.
merins slightly.
MY name Is Fagin. Mistress" he
said. striving to retain his accustomed
roughnesa. Il reckon you have heard
Of me-"
~ have" proudly. her eyes meeting
his. "and, therefore, wonder what your
purpose may be In ordering me here. l
wish to return to my father who re,
Quires my services"
The guerilla laughed. now ansered
by her manner.
well. l thought I'd tell you who
was so you wouldn't try any high and
mighty business" he said coarsely,
and eying her f1ercely. That amt the
sort o thing that goes with me. an
yer amt the first one I've taken down
a peg or two. However, don't mean
you no harm. only you'd better behave
yourself. Yer know that man over
there. don't yer?"
He indicated with q nod OF the head,
and Claire glanced In that direction,
but without speaking.
We'll. can't you answer"
Il recognize Captain Grant, IL that
is what you mean"
II was speaking English. wasn't r.
Yer ought to know him--yer engaged
ter him, amt yer?"
Certainly not" Indignantly.
Grant turned about, his face witch.
ing.
This is not my fault, Claire" he
exclaimed swiftly Don't blame me
for It. | am also prisoner. and help.
Less"
She never looked at him, never an.
swered, her entire attention concen.
trated on Fagin, who was grfnning
with enjoyment.
That's sure right, young lady" he
said grimly. THE Captain ia only
obeyin' orders ter save his own neck.
There's no love lost atween us. let
me tell yer. But we're not 30 blame
mercfiess after all, am reckon, we've
got about all thar is In the house
worth cartin' away. Now we're goin'
to have some fun, an leave two happy
hearts behind Amt that 1t. Jones
Clfnton's licked; Washington has his
hands full up north; an this hull
blame country Is ours. Somewhere,
Mistress, I've heard ten that you an
this Captain was pretty thick--how ID
it,"
Her eyes exhibited Indignant sur
prise, but, after an instant's hesita.
ton, her lips answered.
II hardly know what you mean, sfr.
We were children together"
AN engaged ter be married--eh ?"
There was an arrangement of that
nature between our parents. But why
should this interest your"
He ignored the question, but his
eyes hardened.
II heard it this way. You were en-.
gagged until a few weeks ago. Then
you met damned Continental, spy, |
an imagined yer fell In love with him. |
Now de yer know what interest I've
got? Pm with the Red-coats, an II I |
can turn d trick fer that side I'm
a.goin' ter do 1t. You'll be blessin' me
fer 1t some day. Now, see here, girl. |
I'm a-goin' ter marry yer of before |
leavin' this house. / reckon yer amt
intendin' to make no fuss about 1t;
are yer?"
She did not appear to comprehend, |
to realize the man was In earnest; she |
even smiled slightly.
'Ts this some joke, sir. that fail
to gfasp?" she asked. "Will you notl
EXPLAIN"
Explain, hell" and Fagin clapped
his hat on his head. uttering rough |
oath. Il spoke plain enough. Yer
a-goin' ter marry Grant. here an now,
an there's the parson. waitin' ter do
the Job" M @ N
She partly turned. ana sas she
recognized jerks, the color deserted |
her cheeks, and her hands grasped the
side Of the door for support.
Marry Captain Grant! n" she ex-
claimed, horfifistl mo, neverl"
"oh, guess yer viii. my beauty. |
Good Lord, why mott He's not 80
bad; there's many girl would Jump
at the chance Your plantations Join,
an he's Kings officer"
Listen to me, sir" she, broke an,
now cool and determined. "Fli give
you my answer have already given
It to Captain Grant will not marry
him even to save this house from
not even to release. my
hrnfhAr fy-nyn vf,yyr hdnda Wa cor, |