The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-08-04


there. don't yeF?'
He Indicated with nod OF tho head,
and Claire glanced In that direction.
but without speaking.
"WeIl, can't you answer"
Il recognize Captain Grant, II that
is what you mean"
II was speaking English, wasn't II
Yer ought TO know h'En-yer engaged
ter him, amt yer?"
Certainly not" indignantly.
Grant turned about, his face witch
ing.
This Is not my fault, Claire" he
exclaimed swiftly. Don't blame me
for It. I am also q prisoner. and help
less"
She never looked at him, never an
gwered, her entire attention concenr
trated on FRgtn. who was grtnn1ng
with enjoyment
That's sure right, young lady" he
said grimly. "The Captain is only
obeytn' orders ter save his own neck
There's no love lost atween us, let
me tell yer. But we're not so blame
merciless after all, an reckon, we've
got about all thar Is in the house
worth cartin' away. Now we're goin'
to have some fun, an leave two happy
hearts behind. Amt that 1t, Jones
Clinton's licked; Washington has his
hands fun up north; an this hull
blame country is ours. Somewhere
Mistress, I've heard tell that you an
this Captain WAS pretty thtct-hoW is
it2"
Her eyes exhibited Indignant sur
prise, but, after an instantis hestta-
| ton, her lips answered.
Il hardly know what you mean, sir,
We were children together"
"An' engaged ter be married-eh? -
There was an arrangement Of that
nature between our parents. But why
should this interest your
He ignored the question, but his
eyes hardened.
81 heard it this way. You were en-
| gagged -Intfl a few weeks ago. Then
you met a damned Continental, spy,
an imagined yer fell in love with him.
| Now de yer know what interest I've
got? I'm with the Red-coats, an If l
can turn a trick fer that side I'm
| a-goin' ter do It. You'll be b1essin' me
| fer It some day. Now, see here, girl
! I'm a-goin' ter marry yer of before
! leavtn' this house. I reckon yer amt
intendfn' to make no fuss about it,
are yer2"
She did not appear to comprehend.
to realize the man was in earnest; she
even smiled slightly.
~Is this some joke, sir, that fan
TO grasp?" she asked. VIII you not
explain?''
Explain, helIt" and Fagfn clapped
his hat on his head, uttering a rough
oath Il spoke plain enough Yer
a-goin' ter marry Grant, here an now,
an there's the parson, waittn' ter do
the job"
She partly turned, and as she
recognised jerks, the color deserted
her cheeks, and her hands grasped ths
side Of the door for support.
Marry Captain Grant, II" she ex,
claimed, Mortified. mo, neveri"
"Oh, guess yer win, my beauty.
Good Lord, why not? He's not SO
bad; there's many a girl would jump
at the chance. Your plantations Join,
an he's a Kings officer"
Listen to me, sir" she broke in,
now cool and determined. TN give
you my answer. 1 have already given
it to Captain Grant. I win not marry
him-not even to save this house from
destruction; not even to release my
brother from your hands. We can
suffer, If necessary, for we are of a
fighting race. but 1 shah never yield
to threats"
She swept past him, around the end
Of the table, and confronted Grant,
who drew back a step, scowling.
$50 this is your way, is it, to win a
woman you cannot gain by fair
means? No, there is no need OF your
answering; understand the whole
despicable scheme. You masquerade
ing as a prisoner Of this creature!
You are his puppet- I've known it for
months. I learned the truth from
Eric, and from that moment I despised
you. While I believed you an honor
stal<A soldier I was able to treat you
! with outward respect, but no longer.
You threatened me with forced mar
Rage once before, and failed. Now
you endeavor to succeed with the help
Of this outlaw. But you never shall!
No, do not speak, do not hold out your
hands to mel You are not prisoner.
These men are here at your iIstiga-
lion; you ara concerned IN their in
fanny. I would rather die than have
you touch mel"
She turned her back upon him, her
lace white, her eyes blazing, but Fa-
gin stood between her and the en-
trance, grinning savagely.
; Let me pass, sir; this is my IA
theirs house"
Not while am here, Mlstress," he
snarled, without moving. THE old
man isn't ridin' after me with squad
ron Of cavalry today. This happens
TO be my turn to give orders, and yer
to obeyi Do yer hear-yern obeyi
Those were Mt pretty words yer spoke
TO Grant, but they don't hurt me none