The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-12-20

from below. Could she be there'
was there any other secret passage
by which she could have disappeared?
shuddered at memory Of what 1t
meant to be shut up In that dismal
hole, without the companionship OF
light. Fearful Of some accident |
paused long enough to wedge d heavy
piece OF furniture in the opening, and
then, shading the bit of candle, began
cropping my way down. | had reached
the lower floor before the Pickering
yellow rays revealed any evidence OF
e presence. Then ! saw a girl lying
head down upon the table. My hand
touched her arm before she moved,
but then she faced me, w~ild-eyed, the
pistol cleaning in the candle-light.
Claire! C~laire!" / exclaimed,
startled at her sudden movement.
Surely you know me-"
For the instant she did not, her
eyes full Of terror.
No! no." she cried Historically.
"Oh, 1t cannot be! 1t Is a dream. You
-you-tell me who you are?"
caught her hand, the pistol fall
ing to the floor, and placed the candle
stick upon the table.
1T is no dream, dear. am Allen
Lawrence, and have come for you.
know look ~disreputable enough, but
there has been fghting-surely you
know me now"
She caught her breath quickly.
clinging to me with both hands--her
eyes sottening as she studied my face.
"Allen-Allen lawrence" she re-
peated softly. "Oh, can scarcely be-
liove it true. Let me feel Of you. +
| believe | was going ~insane-the
dark, the awful dark, and, and no way
out-no way out"
Yes. yes, / understand" I whis-
pered, drawing her to me. 81 was hid
den here once, remember. But it is
W. with now"
"But-how did you find a way to
me? Il V thought until 1t was
all yer that | had shut myself in here
to die. | was SO frightened. | Just
ran and hid. Oh. you cannot conceive
what l had gone through"
She drew away from me. and again
hid her face on the table.
"Oh, but | can, Claire" and bent
over her. my hand fondling her hair.
Il was there In the hall below, ready
even then to act in your defense. /
heard all that was said, saw all that
was done"
"You-you we're there?" sobbing out
the words. You saw me kill him."
yes, and had you delayed another
instant should have done It,"
~"Then-then," she glanced up, tears
d!mming her eyes, you do not blame
me? You do not think me a wicked
wretch"
81 think you a brave, noble woman"
/ burst forth. How could | feel 9th
erwise? Look up, little girl; | want
to see your face. No, don't shrink
back from me. There is no cause. I
know the whole story without your
speaking a word. You asked me to
come back to help you, and | came"
Yes" she whispered. Il know.
You have been so good"
Good! / loved you. dear. From the
moment l lifted you out Of the way Of
that mob In Philadelphia, I have loved
you. | did not understand much that
occurred, but | have never doubted
you. Now | realize the cause of your
masquerade and know you were iusti-
fed. can bring you good news--Eric
Is not a traitor. but was a prisoner.
captured by Fagtn. and held at Grants
request. We found him bound and
under guard out yonder. as we ap-
preached the house"
And he Ia here now!"
Yes; he was hurt in the fight, and
10 still unconscious, but will live"
His reputation"
els safe. Washington believes he
brought him the news Of Clinton's
route Of march, and will never know
otherwise"
She arose to her feet. standing
straight and slender before me, the
pickering light OF the candle on her
face.
Major Lawrence" she began, II
wish to get out of here-it seems like
a grave to me-but must speak first.
Oh, ! am 80 glad have accomplished
what I e%ndeavored to do for my broth
er. Captain Grant tried to make me
believe him a deserter, but | would
not. When he failed to come back to
me as he had promised, | could hardly
determine what my duty was. knew
his plans, his orders, and the thought
came that | should carry these out
We looked sufficiently alike
so that this could be done with little
danger Of discovery. He had uni.
forms concealed here, and felt driven
to impersonate him. | do not insist
| did right; ! do not know--cnly
seemed right to me. Then-than"
her voice faltered, y met you, again
and again, and IL began to doubt
| had no one TO conide in.
one to advise me. ! was simply
compelled to go ahead. and keep my
own secret. The only ones | knew
could absolutely trust were our old
house servants"
You doubted me. even?"
Yes, at first. but you must not
blame me. We met strangely; you
a gentleman and an officer:
felt sure Of this, and was tempted oft.
to tell YOU my story But before
| dared do so, you-you sgcke Of other
and-aud then was .IfraId."