Eastern Colorado times., 1912-10-11

Good enough, by Gad!" he ex-
claimed heartily. 1.-THE lass has cleared
the mystery with word. The fellow
would be a poor soldier indeed to fail
in such a test-eh. Grant?"
The Ranger scowled at him in sui
len response. his face dark with pas
sion. So -s;-s
"Hells acrei This thing may touch
your humor, but not mine. What Is
the meaning Of your words. Mistress
Claire? Are you shameless. forgetting
the pledge between us?"
She turned her face toward him as
a queen might, her head held high.
her cheeks flaming.
You have said your answer once
for all. Captain Grant There is no
pledge between US"
But. daughter" broke in the colonel.
still bewildered by this sudden explo-
sion. II can scarcely comprehend;
surely 1t was understood that you were
aff1anced to this son Of an old neigh.
bor."
Understood. yes. by those who kind
ly arranged the affair. but the fact
that l might possess heart Of my
own was entirely overlooked. As a
child permitted you to plan my fu-
ture without protest. l am a woman
now; l have been out in the world;
the war has taken all girlhood from
me. If this were not true the way
Captain Grant has watched my every
action in Philadelphia would have dis
gusted me with the thought Of ever
intrusting my happiness to him. He
has openly quarreled with every man
have spoken to. or danced with. He
has made me the sport Of all the city
gallants by Jealous wrangling. Now
it Is done with. 'Tis in shame that l
am driven to say all this here in pres
ence of these gentlemen. but l will not
stand in silence while Major Lawrence
is being condemned as spy. He was
at the dance to meet again with me.
and for no other purpose"
Colonel Mortimer's face had ex-
pressed many emotions. while she was
speaking. but now 1t hardened into
military severity. his hand clinched
on the arm OF the chair.
do I understand, then. that this
officer was there at your request?"
81 think" hesitating slightly. "he
knew he was not unwelcome."
And" his voice breaking slightly.
"he came here also to meet you7"
Certainly not" her head lifting in
dignantly. II am your daughter. and
am guilty Of nothing unworthy our
family name. Ihave no shame to con-
fess. Major Lawrence is an officer
and gentleman. the friend Of Wash
ington, and my friend also. At any
other time he would be welcome
guest at our table. II he risked his
life to meet with me In Philadelphia
1t was done openly and honorably in
the midst of acquaintances. There
has been nothing hidden or clandes-
tine. He was brought to Elmhurst a
prisoner. bound to his horse. guarded
by armed men. In the morning
learned his identity, and at once had
him released. That Is ALL" and she
gave a gesture with her hands. "and
be sufficient"
And you warned him Of my suspi.
cions in Philadelphia" exclaimed
Grant, causing him to attack me. and
then released him from arrest here"
THAT is partially true; you endeav-
ored to provoke quarrel the moment
you met. ! had no desire he should
fall into your hal>ds as a prisoner
When you appeared at this house I
assisted his escape"
But. Claire, how came you here?
Why did you leave Philadelphia"
Because have brother, sir. whom
I can only meet In secret" she replied
quietly. Il came without thought Of
danger. for war has not cost-us friends
in this country; our home has re-
mained until now untouched by van.
dals, and l felt amply protected by
those who accompanied me upon the
ride-our old house servants" She
knelt at the side of his chair, her
head bowed upon his arm, and his
hand stroked her hair. Il regret II
have seemed unmaidenly, or dono
what you may deem wrong. father. for
1t has all seemed right to me-"
The colonel looked at us silently for
what seemed long while, his fingers
fondling the tresses Of the girls hair.
This situation leaves me in an en-
predicament," he admitted
at last slowly. II hardly know what is
my duty either as a father. or an Off
Ger Of the king. No matter what his
purpose may have been this man pen
etrated our lines in disguise; he ad.
mittedly exercised command of those
irregulars who attacked and routed