The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1912-06-14

Certainly not; only answer my
questions. Good heavens. man! do you
think ! am log Of wood! Act like
human being. Who 10 the lieutenantr
"A Dragon. SIR"
Peter" I broke out, irritated be
yond patience. Il have some reason to
believe you q liar. But I'm going to
get the truth from you II have 10
choke 1t out"
Yes sir; very good. indeed. sir.
However. there would seem to be NO
need Of your resorting to such ex-
IRENE measures, SIR"
Then you will tell me what wish
to known"
at will afford me pleasure. sir"
Somehow l could not rid myself Of
the suspicion that the fellow was re-
cretly laughing at me. yet his round
face was innocent and placid. his eyes
discreetly lowered.
"Then kindly inform me. first Of all.
who this young lieutenant To-"
Il fear, sir" solemnly. that ! may
have misinformed you when ! said
he was . Dragon"
"Yes!" eagerly.
II would correct my statement some
what-he 10 . Light Dragon. sir"
In spite OF my effort At self-controI.
I swore, tempted to batter that stolid
face, yet realizing the utter useless
ness Of such violence.
"Now, see here!" broke forth
flercely. Have done with your play.
You are no soldier: doubt II you
were ever ON horses back until to-
night. And those fellows with you are
mot Queens Rangers, I'll swear"
"How do you know. sirr' he inter.
rupted gently. Are you In the army.
sir?"
"of coure I an" I cried. answsrint
without consideration.
Il thought 90. sir; although your
clothes do not proclaim the fact. May
ask which armyf" ..=
He had turned the tables most neat.
ly. and glanced down over my rough
garments, awakening suddenly to the
knowledge that was also In mas.
querade. To be sure ] had one I'D.
yantage-l knew these men had been
part Of Delavan's foragers. and hence
1t heart must be loyalists.
"That 10 not q question I intend an.
swering to every rufhsn who stops me
on the highway" I returned shortly.
II wish to know what this outrage
means! win know. you wooden-head.
ed image! ! was about my business
when the four Of you attacked me. !
wasn't the man you were after 1t all.
and yet I am held prisoner. shut up
here behind iron bars. What II this
place. anyhow"
at IL called 'Elmhurst.' SIR"
"Elmhurst? A country sstatef"
Eyes, sir, one Of the old plantations. "
Its . name never heard. Where
II that precious lieutenant"
II presume he ID In bed. SIR" and
Peter rose quietly to his feet, and be-
gan replacing the dishes ON his tray.
Apparently there was not . nervous
throb TO his pulse. and he remained
blissfully Indifferent to my presence.
I stared helplessly at him. even words
failing me.
"You refuse to inform me ~ to the
truth Of this AFFAIR."" faltered at last.
NJ he lifted his burden on one arm.
He turned . stolid face my way.
II would seem 40. sir. ! have 10
thank you for most delightful eve
ming. sir. Your conversation has been
both instructive and entertaining.
However. sir. the hour 10 now late.
and I should advise your retiring"
He bowed solemnly, bacling toward
the door. and sprang to my feet.
overtaken By . sudden determination
TO make . break for freedom. Their
was . slight glitter In Peters graz
eyes. - he raped sharply with hia
heel on the door.
Il hardly think that would BE- sdvts-
able. SIR" he warned softly The man
outside 10 armed. and In ths excite.
ment might hurt you."
There vas click Of the lock. and
the heavy door swung opsn. stood
motionless. tempted 70 spriag. yst not
daring the ventuFs. Peter backed
majestically out. and caught .
glimpse Of ths srayhsasd. and the
black outline Il . pistol. Thea the
door closed. leaving mo alone. The
little scrap Of candle left sputtsred
feebly. and. sitter walking across the
aoor . hslf-dosen times. striving 70
gain control a. ny temper. ! blew Il
out. and csawIed Into the bunk. There
WAS nothing ! could "a. but wait for
morning: not . sound reachsd ~
from without. ard. bseore I realised
the possibility. ] was fast asleep.
must have slspe loas anA sosa1ly.
Tor Whoa I Anally awoks . gssaa e
sua lay The full lsasth = ~ soo0.
ard fooA was upoa TIE table oooe