The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-07-24
MY LADY OF DOUBT
Continued from Preceding Page.

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
90 do this, as was already abundantly
proved by her assumption Of male
attire to save Eric's reputation. My
own responsibility doomed 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 I'm.
raveling the mystery She trusted me,
loved me, now believed-and, under
God. would prove worthy Of her faith.
With teeth clinched in sudden deter.
mination caught up with my little
squad Of plodding horsemen, and, with
word Of command, hurried them into
q sharp trot.
Riding ahead, boot to boot with
Conroy, I thought out a plan for 40
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 hating, al
though we turned in the saddle to
book, and my eyes swept over the
troopers trotting behind US. They were
. sturdy lot, their faces bronEed from
exposure, their uniforms stained and
Undiscovered.
'Regulars?" I asked, nodding back
across my shoulder.
Not a man but has seen two years
service" he replied proudly. Ham.
1lton knows the troop, and he picked
as out"
Il may need them for a bit Of des.
perate work"
They'll do It, SIR, never fear"
Good, sergeant; we'll ride hard,
and trust to getting fresh horses in
Philadelphia. I'll tell Arnold the story,
When We arrive there have your men
get all the sleep they can. I'll attend
TO rations and ammunition. You are
simply to have the men rested and
ready. Cannot we make better time?
The horses seem in good condition"
We passed swiftly over the level
country, meeting few stragglers, but
paying them small attention. By two
O'Clock we were on the banks of the
Delaware, and a half-hour later,
swung down stifdy from the saddle in
front of Arnold's headquarters on
High street.
He was an officer never greatly
liked, with his swapping eyes and ar
rogant manner, but he was courteous
enough on this occasion, questioning
me after reading the dispatch, and of,
3ering me a glass Of wine.
you look aired. major, and must
rest before you start back. 1 shall
have my report ready by shutdown"
General Arnold" I said, standing
respectfully hat in hand, "I have IA.
vor to ask-that you will send your
report by some other messenger, and
give me a detail for special service. q"
He looked up in surprise.
Special service, sir! But you are
not assigned to my command"
"That is true, general" l insisted.
rbut the conditions warrant the IN
usual application"
What -ervice is contemplated
"An attempt to kill or capture Red
Eagin, and release a scout whom I
believe he holds prisoner"
you hope to accomplish all this
. a1cmeT'
with tho assistance Of the sergeant
md ten dragons who came here with
ne. They are In camp now on the
Eeraey Shore
He walked across the room, stared
pu1 OF the window, and then again
aced me.
v "BY Cad, SIR. mis- Is a most sxtraor.
anaEy request. Damne. I'd like 70
Bst hold OF Fagin all right, but ! need
b know more OF your plan, and the
reason you have for asking such a
agtaiL It looks fOolhardy to my
Es&ndS
I went over ne situation carefully,
watching the effect Of my words in
tho mans face He sat at the table
now, leaning forward eagerly. Ar
mold had the reputation Of gallant,
and my first reference to q young lady
aroused him.
"The names pisase-you mentioned
no name"
"Clairs Mortimer, SIR"
~Ah! ALL I remember her well
Danced with her myself. Now go on
sir; can appreciate the tale better
for my recollection Of the fair hero
lne."
was not long at 1t, although be
Interrupted me occasionally by shrewd
questioning. AS / concluded he KEEP
silent a moment, looking at me from
under his heavy brows.
cit looks like rather q blind trai
to me, major" he said kindly, 'bu
I'm no spoil-sport IN such an affair
You might have the luck to stumble
onto your party, and I'd take tbs
chance myself If I were in your shoes
You wish to start at sunset?'
yes, sir"
You need horses. rations and pistc