The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-08-02

some OF these other fellows IN gilt
epaulets. However. I've not come 20
that point yet. The fact Is have q
private AFFAIR to attend 10 before I
leave this nelghborhood. Can you
guess what It is?"
II? Certainly not"
"Well, you viii know shortly-the
ambulance ia coming"
rode my horse slowly forward,
keeping at the edge Of tho road, until
assured a sufficient distance separated
us. Then / gave the restive animal
a sharp touch OF tho spur, sending him
swiftly forward MY escort would have
mile or two the start, yet that was
nothing. MY thoughts were not with
them, or with my military duty. but
reverted to the little company around
the wounded man. The bearing OF
the dispatch to Arnold was mere rou-
tine, involving only steady riding, but
the relations existing between Claire,
Grant, and Eric Mortimer were full
of mystery. There were connecting
links l could not understand; no doubt
had the girl been permitted to con-
clude her story l might At 1t togeth-
er, but as It was / was left cropping In
the darkness. Yet my mind tena-
ciously held to It's original theory as
to Eric's strange disappearance-he
had been betrayed by Grant, and was
being held prisoner. But where2 BY
whom? And for what purpose?
/ pondered on this problem as my
horse ploughed forward through the
dust, my eyes unconsciously scanning
the dark road. Grant could not have
known that Colonel Mortimer was be-
ing taken home. His meeting with the
ambulance party was altogether an ac-
cident. Yet / had no faith the man
was out seeking British stragglers, for
had he been dispatched on such a mis-
sion he would have had at least a
squad of soldiers with him. Then what?
The probability was that he was eth
er riding to Elmhurst, or to some rem
devious with Fagin. Some plan had
been interrupted by Clinton's sudden
march, by the British defeat at Mon
mouth, and Grant was risking his
commission, Drawing the charge Of de-
sertion, for some private purpose.
This might be love of Claire, revenge
upon Eric, or possibly both combined.
The latter would seem most probable.
He would use Eric in some way to
threaten the sister, to compel her to
sacrifice herself. She was Of a nature
to do this, as was already abundantly
proved by her assumption Of male
attire to save Eric's reputation. My
own responsibility loomed large as
reached this conclusion, and remem'
bered her appeal for help. She, also
must suspect the truth, and had turned
to me as the only one capable of un'
raveling the mystery. She trusted me-
loved me, now believed-and, under
God, l would prove worthy of her faith
With teeth clinched in sudden deter
mination l caught up with my little
squad Of plodding horsemen, and, with
word Of command, hurried them into
a sharp trot.
Riding ahead, boot to boot with
! Conroy, l thought out a plan for ac
ton, and finally, in the gray Of the
morning, told him enough of the story
to arouse his interest. Just before
sunrise we passed Elmhurst, the great
white mansion appearing silent and
deserted. There was no halting, al
though we turned in the saddle tc
look, and my eyes swept over the
troopers trotting behind us. They were
a sturdy lot, their faces bronzed from
exposure, their uniforms stained ant
dust-covered.
/ "Regulars?" I asked, nodding bacl
across my shoulder.
Not man but has seen two years
SERVICE" he replied proudly. Ham
ilton knows the troop, and he picked
us out"
al may need them for a bit Of des
perate work"
They'll do it, sir, never fear"
Good, sergeant; Wen ride hard
and trust to getting fresh horses il
Philadelphia. I'll tell Arnold the story
When we arrive there have your mel
get all the sleep they can. I'll atten'
to rations and ammunition. You ar
/ rCT .s------t1