The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-05-10
CHAPTER v.
The Threat Of Swords.


Stepping from the glare of those
cleaning parlor lights into the gloom
Of that narrow passage, blinded me for
the instant, yet a moment later, I be-
came aware of the distant glimmer Of
a candle, the faint reflection revealing
the girls face.
''Please do not talk; do not ask any
thing-yet," she urged hurriedly,
noiselessly closing the door at my
back, and as instantly gripping my
sleeve. Her breath came quickly; her
voice trembled from suppressed excite
ment. Come with me, beyond the
light yonder."
I followed her guidance, bewildered,
yet having every confidence the rea-
son for this mysterious occurrence
must be fully justified. The passage
curved slightly, terminating at closed
door. Scarce a reflection Of the candle
reached us here, yet my eyes were by
now sufficiently accustomed to the
gloom so that l could trace the out
lines Of her face. A vague doubt took
possession Of me.
"You are causing me to run away
from Grant," protested blindly. "You
are making me appear afraid to meet
him"
''No, it is not that" swiftly. "He
was not coming to you personally at
all-you were to be arrested?"
What! He knew me then%
81 am not sure-some one did, and
mentioned his suspicious. Captain
Grant was glad enough Of an excuse,
no doubt, but he" the soft voice fall
tering, "he made mistake in twitting
me for being friendly toward you"
"And you came to warn, to save
mel" I exclaimed, pressing her hand.
"That was nothing; I could do no
less. am only glad knew the way. D."
"You mean how you might reach me
first?"
"Yes; it came to me in flash when
he first left me alone, only was not
certain in which parlor you would be
waiting. l ran through the kitchen
and down the back stairs; l helped
the officers plan their decorations, and
in that way learned Of this private
passage beneath the stairs. It was
easy, but-oh, listen! they are in
there noW!"
We could hear voices through the in
tervening wall clearly enough to even |
distinguish words, as the speakers ex-
ercised little restraint. felt the girls |
slender figure press against me in the
narrow space where we stood, and l
clung to her hand, both remaining mo-
tionless and silent.
"That fellow has run, Grant"
doomed some one hoarsely, "either |
afraid, or else what you say he is.
See here, boy, did you see anyone in
here lately in scarlet jacket?"
'I don just member, sab" answered |
a negro, hesltatingly. Il was busy
over dar' cleanin' de sideboa'd."
"Well, he's not here now, that's Ger.
tain," broke in Grant impatiently,
"and we've been in all the parlors?
What next, MacHugh?"
"Try to head him off before he can
get out of the city, of course. That's
his game, probably. Osborne, have
Carter come here at once. Why didn't
you nab the fellow upstairs, Captain?
Fool play that, sending him down
here"
'T didn't wish to create row in the
ballroom; he was with Claire Morti-
mer-"
"Oh, I see," laughing coarsely.
Something besides military duty in
volved, eh?
"Tll trouble you to be trife more
careful, MacHugh," Grant said stifiy.
THE fellow did her small service in
the afternoon, and she couldn't refuse
dancing with him, as he was in uni
form, and apparently all right. ad-
yise you to drop that part Of the af-
Tair. Here's Carter now"
/ could hear the click Of the new
3omer's spurs as he crossed the room.
MacHugh chuckled.
"Touchy about 1t just the same, I
see; however wen pass up the lady.
Carter, there has been spy in here
calling himself Lieutenant
Eortesque, Of the 42nd Regiment, He
,ame through the lines this morning
With dispatches for Howe, under
,tand. Did you meet him?"
mo, sir, but one Of my men was