American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-09-26

uceaDle, SO as to cause the girl to ask
a~nxiously:
HE has not been injured?"
Who, the colonel" with a short
laugh. n fear Of that while pursu.
ing those fellows; they ride too fast,
and are scattered by now all the way
from here to the Atlantic. Probably a
squad or the same gang out there
hghting Seldom. Trouble with the
colonel is he takes the affair too seri-
ously; imagines he is actually on the
trail, and proposes TO remain out all
night. became tired of such foolish
ness and rode back
you mean you left? Deserted?"
oh, hardly that" lazily. "You see
was sent out with a detachment to
ride down the Lewiston road. I mere
ly left my sergeant in command and
turned my horses head this way. !
can be back by morning, and I wanted
to see you"
"To see me, Captain Grant! You
dlsobeyed my fathers orders to ride
back and see me? l hardly appreciate
the honor"
oh, suppose not" his tone grown
suddenly bitter. But l am here Just
the same, and propose carrying out
my Intention. What do you think ]
am made of-wood? You treat me as
though | possessed no feelings to be
hurt. See here, Claire. don't draw
away from me like that. What has
got into you lately? You have led me
a merry chase all winter in Philadel.
phia, but now you have ever dared
to Haunt me to my face, and in the
presence of your father. Do you sup
pose am the kind to stand for that?
What is the matter, girl? Who has
come between US? Is it that rascally
rebel? No; you stay where you are,
and answer me. That is what l came
back alone for, TO find out"
She was Upon her feet, and l could
even see her hand claspirg a lattice
of the summer house.
why do you ask this? What right
have you? There was never a prom.
Use between u.s."
The understanding has existed for
ten years; never denied until now" he
protested hotly. you knew l loved
you; I've fought a dozen men on your
account"
True enough" she broke in, '.you
have challenged every gentleman who
has dared address me. Did you think
such swashbuckling was going to win
my heart? ANY girl possessing self
respect would revolt at such methods.
Whatever affection I may have felt
for you as a boy has been driven from
lie by these actions. You wanted a
slave, a servant, not a companion, and
it is not in Mortimer blood to Weld
to every whim, to every crack of the
whip. eve loved you, never con-
fessed I did. l tried to be obedient,
endeavored to like you to please my
father, but this past winter has so
thoroughly revealed your real charac-
ter that I will pretend no longer"
MY character! We have known
each other from childhood. know
we'll enough what has made the diff.
ference in you"
Indeed"
Eyes. indeed; it's that damned Con.
tinental spy"
1T has been some one all along,
according to your theory-any gentle
man who has shown me ordinary kind.
ness. You have called out Captain
kincade, Lieutenant Mathieson, Major
Lang, and others, just to prove you
ownership of me. You have made me
the laughing stock of Philadelphia.
Now it pleases you to select Major
with whom to associate m
name. Because he danced with me
once you feel justified in quarreling
with him in my presence. in goading
him into fighting you. 1t was the act
Of a cowardly bully. Whatever respect
may once have had for you. Captain
Grant. has been dissipated this past
Can you tell me 1t is not Law
Il could tell you. and very plainly,
but | refuse to be questioned"
We'll. by Cad. know without ask.
aAt hN oPAohc LIS ANCtt SIP
ping her hand. You've helped that
elbow against me from the first. I'll
up with it no longer. l came back
lere tonight desperate, prepared to re-
sort to any measures. | meant TO
give you a chance. and. by heaven!
have. Do you think | am the sort of
nan you a play with? II l can have
Tou only by force then it is going TO
,e that. oh, don't try TO pull away!
We got you now just as l wanted you
alone Your father is not here, and
hat fool Seldom is busy enough out
-onder. There is not eve a guard
interfere. Do you know what l
mean to do?"
She made no answer. but her silence
eemed to fan his anger. +
"Sulgy. are you? Wen, I'll tell you
ust the same. There's a preacher liv-
ng at the erossroads-you know him,
hat sniveling. long-faced jerks. He's
rontfnp rehol all right but he1l do