The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-08-29

cbeyin' orders ter save his own neck.
There's no love lost atween us, let
me tell yer. But we're not 20 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 It, Jonesi
Clinton's licked; Washington has his
hands full up north; an this huh
blame country Is ours. Somewhere,
Mistress, i've heard tell that you an
this Captain was pretty thick-how Is
it?"
Her eyes exhibited indignant sur
prise, but, after an instant's hesita'
ton, her Hips answered.
II hardly know what you mean, sir.
We were children together"
AN engaged ter be married-eh? r
There was an arrangement Of that
nature between our parents. But why
should this interest your"
He ignored the question. but hie
eyes hardened.
Il heard 1t this way. You were en-
gagged until q few weeks ago. Then
You met 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 II
can turn trick fer that side I'm
a.goin' ter do It. You1l be biessin' me
fer 1t some day. Now. see here, girl,
I'm a-goin' ter marry yer off before
leayin' this house. reckon yer amt
intendin' to make no fuss about 1t,
are yer?"
She did not appear 20 comprehend,
to realize the man was In earnest; she
even smiled slightly.
els this some Joke, cir, that fail
10 grasp9" che asked. ''Will you not
explain3"
''Hxplain. heili" and Fagin ciapped
his hat on his head, uttering rough
oath. = spoke plain enough. Yer
a,goin' ter marry Grant, here an now,
an there's the Darson. waitin' ter do
the Job"
AShe partly turned, and ne she
recognized jerks, the color deserted
her cheeks, and her hands grasped the
side OF the door for support.
Marry Captain Grant, r. she en-
claimed, Mortified. mo, neve1l"
"Oh, guess yer viii, my beauty.
Good Lord. why notS He's not so
badj there's many girl would Jump
at the chance. Your plantations Join.
an he's a Kings officer"
Listen to mo, sir" she broke In.
now cool and determined an give
you my answer. have already given
It TO Captain Grant. l viii not marry
him-not even to save this house from
destruction; not even to release my
brother from your hands We can
suffer, II necessary, for we are Of
lighting race, but shall never yield
10 threats"
She swept past him, around the end
Of tho table, and confronted Grant,
who drew back step, acowling.
ESQ this ls your way, is It, to win d
woman you cannot gain by fair
means n No, there Is no need Of your
answering; understand the whole
despicable scheme. You masquerad-
tng as a prisoner Of this creaturel
You are his puppet. rye known II for
months. learned the truth from
Eric, and from that moment despised
you. While believed you an honor
able soldier I was able 20 treat you
With outward respect, but no longeN
You threatened me with forced mar
giage once before, and failed. Now
you endeavor to succeed with the help
Of this outlaw. But you never shalt
No, do not speak, do not hold out your
hands to mel You are not prisoner.
These men are here at your instiga-
tion; you are concerned In their In
fanny. ] would rather die than have
you touch mel"
She turned her back upon him, her
face white, her eyes blazing, but 70,
gin stood between her and the en-
trance. grinning savageiy.
sI.et me pass. slrl THE Is my o.
TIERS house,
mot while am here. Mistress" be
snnrled, without moving. 'sThe old
man isn't ridin' after me witha squad
son OF cavalry today. This happens
to be- my turn to give orders, and yer
% obeyi DO yer hear-yer'll obeyl
Those were MT pretty words yer spoke
to Grant, but they dent hurt me none.
You damned little spitfre, I'd marry
yer myself II / could. just to break yer
spirit. As It is, I'll show yer yer mas
Ter fer once So It's the spy yer wants
Is it7"
She stared at him without word,
a depth Of hatred but no fear in her
level eyes.
Lost yer tongue, have yeRf Wen,
veil find It fer yer fast enough.
What's the fellows nameS"
TO whom do you refer7r she asked,
her passage blocked.
''The Continental who's put Grant
out Of the running9"
4 presume you mean Major Law.
renee. although no one has authority
to couple my name with his"
"Oh. indeedi III show yer author
ity in plenty. Mistress. Come, now,
I'm done discussing this matter. As
long as yer father Isn't able ter at
tend ter this affair am a-goin' ter
act IN his place. Wen have loyalist