Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-05-23
CHAPTER xxxit
4 Threatened Marriage,

nta pOCtA 1rQm inc taple, hnQ sdt UP
straight ID hia ehaifj the preacher
pushed hla back Until half concealed
behind the door, Grant never looked
around, Jones came Into view first,
and behind him walked Claire, her
cheeks flushed. her head bold high. At
the door she paused, refusing to enter,
her eyes calmly surveying the oocu-
pants,
"You sent for me, SIR" she said
coldly. MAY I ash for what %purpossf".
Even Fagin's cool insolence was I'M
able to withstand unmoved her beauty
and her calmness of demeanor. Ap-
parently he had never met her before.
for, with face redder than ever, be got
to his feet, half bowling. and STAN
mering slightly.
MY nam Ia Fagin, Mistress" he
said, striving to retain his accustomed
roughnegs. II reckon you have heard
Of me-"
II have" proudly. her eyes meeting
his, "and, therefore, wonder what your
purpose may be in ordering me here. l
wish to return to my father who re-
quires my services"
The guerilla laughed, now angered
by her manner.
We'll, I thought I'd tell you who I
was 30 you wouldn't try any high and
mighty business" he said coarsely,
and eying her fieroely. THAT amt the
sort O. thing that goes with me, an
yer amt tho FIRST u I've taken down
q peg or two. However, I don't mean
you no harm, only you'd better behave
yourself. Yer know that man over
there, don't yerf
He indicated with a nod Of the head,
and Claire glanced In that direction,
but without speaking.
"Well, can't you answer?"
ri recognize Captain Grant, II that
is what you mean"
81 was speaking English, wasn't I!
Yer ought to know him-yer engaged
ter him. amt yer7"
Certainly not" Indignantly.
Grant turned about, his face witch
ing.
This is not my fault, Claire" he
exclaimed swiftly. Don't blame me
for 1t. I am also a prisoner, and help
less"
She never looked at him, never an
swered, her entire attention concen
trated on Fagin, who was g~rinnins
with enjoyment,
That's sure right, young lady" hs
said grizzly. "The Captain Is only
obeyin' orders ter save his w neck
There's no love lost atween US, lei
me tell yer. But we're not so blame
merciless after all, an I reckon, we've
got about all hal 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 hi
hands full up north; an this hui
blame country is ours. Somewhere
Mistress, I've heard tell that you al
this Captain was pretty thick-how II
it?"
Her eyes exhibited indignant sur
prise, but, after IN instants hesita
ton, her lips answered.
Il hardly know what O mean, sir
We were children together"
An engaged ter be married-eh?
There Was IN arrangement Of tina
nature between our parents. But VII.
should this interest your"
He ignored the question, but hi
eyes hardened.
Il heard it this way. You were en-
gagged until q few weeks ago. Their
you met a damned Continental, a spy
an imagined yer fell in love with him
Now de yer know what interest Nv,
got? I'm with the Red-coats, an II
can turn a trick fer that side In
a-goin' ter do It. You'll be blessin' m,
fer It some day. Now, see here, girl
I'm a-goin' ter marry yer off befor,
leavin' this house. ! reckon yer ain
.nteudiu' to make no fus. about It
are yerf
She did not appear to comprehend
to realize the man was IN earnest; sh'
even smiled slightly.
rs this some Joke, sir, that l fai
to graspf" she asked. will you no
explainf"
Explain, HE'LL" and Fagin olappe1
his hat IN his head, uttering a rougl
oath. II spoke plain enough. Ye
a-goin' ter marry Grant, here an now
an there's the parson. waitin' gr d,
the job"