American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-09-19
w my outward composurs,
realizing that this strange girl again

- At inc SApeuse OF a IalSehOOd.
indeed; you were doubtless awar.
tnen that he was within Sir Henri,
Clinton's lines as a spy?"
Far from It," she laughed easily
not glancing toward me, but permit
ting her eyes to rest upon the Devil
dered face Of Captain Grant. why
tnat idea is perfectly absurd. Did yot
tell my father SO ridiculous a story
captain"
Did |! What else could / say?" hi
growled Indignantly. "He was within
our lines in British uniform"
Her long lashes yelled the blue
depths modestly.
Yet there might be other reasons
Tor such masquerade, gentlemen" she
confessed. Would it be impossible
think you, that he should have taken
30 great q risk to again meet with
me?"
There was a silence following The
simple question. broken by Seldon's
laugh, as he slapped his knee in ap.
probation.
Good enough. by Gadi" he az.
clalmed heartily. THE lass has cleared
the mystery with a word. The fellow
would be a poor soldier indeed to fail
n such a test-eh, Grant?"
The Ranger scowled at him in sui.
len response, his face dark with pas.
sion.
"Hell's acre! This thing may touch
you humor, but not mine. What is
the meaning Of your words, Mistress
Claire? Are you shameless, forgetting
the pledge between us?"
She turned her face toward him as
q queen might. her head held high,
her cheeks flaming.
you have said your answer once
Tor all, Captain Grant. There is no
pledge between u.s."
But, daughter" broke In the colonel.
still bewildered by this sudden explo-
sion. Il can scarcely comprehend:
surely 1t was understood that you were
an1anced to this son Of an aid neigh.
bor."
Understood. yes, by those who kind.
" arranged the affair, but the fact
tnat might possess a heart Of my
" was entirely overlooked. Al a
child l permitted you to plan my fu.
ture without protest. am q woman
now; l have been out in the world;
the war has taken all girlhood from
me. II this were not true the way
Captain Grant has watched my every
action in Philadelphia would have dis
gusted me with the thought Of ever
intrusting my happiness to him. He
has openly quarreled with every man
! have spoken to, OF danced with. He
has Eiade me the sport of all the city
gallants by jealous wransling. Now
1t IL done with. 'Ts in shame that I
am driven to say all this here in pres
ence OF these gentlemen, but I will not
stand In silence while Major Lawrence
10 being condemned as = SPY. He was
1t the dance to meet again with me,
and for no other purpose"
Colonel Mortimers face had q.
pressed many emotions whils she was
speaking. but now It hardened into
military severity, his hand clincAsd
on the Arm Of the chair.
DO I understand, then. that this
omcsr was there at your rsqusstr'
7 think" ~hesitatng slightly. ~
Knew he wa not unvelcomA"
And" his voice breaking slisAtly.
h came hero also to meet your
Certainly not" her head lifting In
dignantly. II Am your daughter. and
Am guilty Of nothing unworthy our
family name. I have no shame to con-
Major lawrence IL an omcsr
and q gentleman, tho friend Of Wash
ington, and my friend also. At any
other time he would be q welcome
guest at u table. II he risked his
life to meet with me In Philadelphia
1t was done openly and honorably in
the midst Of acquaintances. There
has been nothing hidden or clandes-
tine. He was brought to Elmhurst a
prisoner, bound to his horse, guarded
by armed men. In the morning l
learned his identity, and at once had
him released. That Is ALL" and she
a gesture with her hands, and
l trust. gentlemen, my explanation will
be sufficient" /
And you warned him of my suspi-
cions in Philadelphia" exclaimed
Grant. causing him to attack me. and
released him from arrest here"
That Is partially true; you endeav-
ored to provoke a quarrel the moment
you met. I had no desire he should
Into your hands As . prisoner.
When you appeared 1t this house !
assisted his escap&" (
But. Claire. how came yvl Assf
Why did you leave PAiladslpAiaf"
because ] have . hEotAse, II. whom
! can only mest IN sscyUt. - rspnsa
9u3stly. I came vfthSut thousAt a
Danger. eDr var - ~ soo - framlp
b Tits country; eur Asns 49, n.
aaf2sd uAt1 nsw unSsosAsl b. VA
aaAs. and fsA anJa5 prvassesl ~
0oss vhe eesonpa1ieA - upsa a. !,
vSesCU oA Asoss ssrvMAs -
1t tAs ~ = HI sAaas. ~
ased bowsA uDea ~ ssa. Al ~