River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-10-03

much to be said before those down
stairs complete their rather frugal
meal-Peter has promised to delay
serving as much as possible, but, as
our larder is not extensive, at best II
will not be long. You overheard Cap
tain Grants threat?"
ITO search the house for your broth
er-yes."
"He will! carry it out" quietly. her
eyes, no longer smiling, on my race.
There has never been friendship be-
tween those two, and of late my own
relations with Captain Grant have be-
come very unpleasant. / think he is
almost glad of an opportunity to thus
exercise some authority over me. He
is the kind of a man who must either
rule or ruin. Convinced that Eric is
concealed here, he will search the
house as much to spite me as for any
other reason. l should only. laugh at
him, but for your presence.
"Then your brother is not here?"
Certainly not; Eric is in no danger
but, Major Lawrence, you are.
The earnestness with which she
spoke made my heart leap. Whatever
the girls political sentiments might
be, she was plainly DESTROYS of serving
me, of once again exposing herself in
my defense. Yet her words, the frank
expression of her eyes, gave no sug-
gestion of sentiment-she was but
friend, an ally, performing woman's
part in the war game.
But I fail to understand"
"You mean me? Oh, well, you are
not the first; and no doubt it is best
so. The less you understand, the bet
ter we shall get along, Major; the
only question being, will you obey my
orders?"
Had | inclination otherwise fear
should find it impossible"
81 hardly know whether that remark
be complimentary or not. You might
mean that no other course was left
you"
(Which I suspect is true, although If
it proved so l should willingly trust
myself to your guidance. because of
my faith in you"
THAT is much better" her eyes
laughing, yet as swiftly SOLDERING again.
'But it is foolish of us to waste time
in such silly speeches. There is too
much waiting attention. Fortunately
this house is not without it's secrets,
for when built by my grandfather this
was the frontier"
But does not Grant know" I asked
soberly. 81 understood he played here
as boy, and there is not much lad
fails to learn
HE is not without knowledge,
surely, but here is something he never
ed him with the secret, and yet, as
short a time as have known you,
have no hesitancy. Isn't that frank
confession. sir?"
Zone I mean you shall never re-
greet"
Il am sure OF that; yet shall not
betray everything even to you. Please
face about with eyes to the front win
dow. Yes, so; now do not look around
until / tell YOU"
| heard her cross the room, her
skirts rustling slightly, and then the
faint clicking of some delicately ad-
justed mechanism. AS this sound
ceased, her voice again spoke.
Now, Major, the way is opened for
a safe retreat. Behold what has been
accomplished by the genii of the
lamp"
She was standing at one side of
what had been the fireplace, but now
the entire lower portion of the great
chimney had been swung aside, reveal
ing an opening amply large enough for
the entrance of a man. l took one
step forward to where could perceive
the beginning of a narrow winding
stair leading down into intense black
ness. Then / glanced aside into her
eyes.
"The concealment was perfect" 1
exclaimed in admiration. Where does
the staircase iead?"
ITO very comfortable room under
ground 1t had not been used for a
generation until this war began. Eric
and I learned of its existence by acct
dent, while rummaging over some of
our grandfather's old papers. l was
| about sixteen then, and shall never
forget our first exploration. We found
nothing down there then but a rough
bunk, an old 1anthorn, and the leath-
ern scabbard of a sword But since
then Eric has been compelled to hide
there twice to escape capture, and we
have made the room below more COM
| Portable. You will be obliged to grope
your way down the stairs, but at the
bottom will discover flint and steel,
and a lantern with ample supply of
candles. Peter will bring you food, If
you need remain there for long!"
Peter! Then he is in the secret ?"
Peter is in all secrets" she con-
fessed. From him nothing is hid, at
least so far as may concern the Morti-
mer family. You have yet to learn the
deep subtlety of Peter, Major Law
renee. He sees all things, retains all
things, and reveals nothing"
"a discovery already made"
mo, barely glimpsed: no short &C
quaintance such as yours has been
could ever serve to reveal the char
acter of Peter. Since babyhood he has
been my monitor and guide, and still
he remains to me silent mystery"
IAN old servant"
Eyes. born to the position, his father