Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-05-07
Copyright A. C hcCiurC & Co, I9L

out looking toward me, "and appreci-
ate the care with which my name has
thus far been guarded. Now | am
ready to make my own explanation"
But, first, Claire" said her father
soberly, how does 1t happen you are
here? We supposed you in the hands
of Red Fagin. and a squadron Of my
men are out now tracking the fel-
lows"
~ was not in the house when they
came, father; Peter and / were back Of
the stables, fortunately mounted. We
were Obliged to ride hard, as we were
chased several miles, and returned as
soon as 1t appeared safe"
And Eric?"
"He departed before Captain Grant
arrived" she replied unhesitatingly,
and must be already safe within his
own lines"
ut was Eric, them"
"Who else could it be? Surely Cap
tain Grant told you as much"
The colonel's yes wandered about
the little group, and his doubt and be-
wilderment were clearly evident.
"Do you know Eric's purpose In
coming here? i'm %presuming to act az
an officer in Delavan's company"
He did not inform me, sir"
you know this man."
She turned. and looked at me for
the first time, a silent plea in her blue
eyes.
81 do-he Is Major Lawrence OF Gen
eral Washington's army" her voice
low, but distinct. Il have known him
since tho Continental troops were first
CHARTERED In Philadelphia"
I started slightly, yet as instantly
recovered my outward composure,
realizing that this strange girl again
purposed protecting me from exposure,
even at the expense of a falsehood.
Indeed; you were doubtless aware
then that he was within Sir Henry
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 bewil-
dered face Of Captain Grant. "Why
that idea is perfectly absurd. Did you
tell my father so ridiculous a story.
captain"
Did I! What else could l say?" he
growled Indignantly. "He was within
our lines in British uniform"
Her long lashes yelled the blue
depths modestly.
"Yet there might be other reasons
for such masquerade. gentlemen" she
confessed. Would it be impossible,
think you. that he should have taken
50 great a 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 Gad!" he ex-
claimed heartily. "The lass has cleared
the mystery with a word. The fellow
would be a poor soldier indeed to fail
in such a test-eh, Grant,"
The Ranger scowled at him In sui
len response, his face dark with pas
sion.
"Heil's acre! This thing may touch
your humor, but not mine. What is
the meaning of your words, Mistress
Claire? Are you shameless, forgetting
the pledge between u.s."
She turned her face toward him as
a queen might, her head held high,
her cheeks flaming.
You have said your answer once
for all, Captain Grant. There is no
pledge between US"
But. daughter" broke In the colonel,
still bewildered by this sudden explo-
sion. Il can scarcely comprehend;
surely it was understood that you were
affianced to this son Of an aid neigh
Dor"
Understood, yes, by those who kind,
ly arranged the affair, but the fact
that l might possess a heart Of my
own was entirely overlooked. AS q
child | permitted you to plan my fu-
ture without protest. | am a woman
now; | have been out in the world +;
the war has taken all girlhood from
me. II this were not true the way
captain III ohi huo ndltHtu LILY 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, or danced with. He
has made me the sport OF all the city
g%allants by Jealous wrangling. Now
1t Is done with. IT'S In shame that l
am driven to SAY all this here In pres
ence OF these gentlemen, but | will not
stand in silence while Major Lawrence
Is being condemned as a spy. He was
at the dance to meet again with me,
and for no other purpose"
Colonel Mortimer's face had ex-
pressed many emotions, while she was
speaking, but now It hardened into
military severity, his hand clinched
on the arm Of the chair.
do | understand, then, that this
officer was there at your request?"
Il think" hesitating slightly, "he
knew he was not unwelcome."
And" his voice breaking slightly,
b came here also to meet your"
Certainly not" her head lifting in
dfgnantly. Il am your daughter, and
am guilty OF nothing unworthy our
family name. / have no shame to con
fess. Major Lawrence Is an officer
and a gentleman. the friend Of Wash,
inston. and my friend also. At any
other time he would be a welcome
guest at our table. II he rlsked his
life to meet with me In Philadelphia