The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-06-01
getting back again untrl this morn.

getting back again until this morn
ing"
"The fellow is liar. colonel. Let
me see him; I'll lash the truth out Of
his lips. Where did you say he was
in the library?"
I had barely time to rise to my feet
when he entered. His eyes swept
across the guard. and then centered
upon me. Instantly they blazed with
excitement, although noticed he took
a sudden step backward in the first
shock Of surprise. his hand dropping
to the butt of pistol in his belt.
by all the gods!" he exclaimed
sharply. IF it isn't the spy! miss
the red Jacket. but know the face,
Mister Lieutenant Fortesque."
Major Lawrence. IL you please" !
returned quietly.
We'll not quarrel over the name.
I've had occasion to know you under
both: bearing one YOU were n sny.
beneath the other leader or bandlttl.
I'll hang you with equal pleasure un,
der either" Suddenly he seemed to
remember where we were. and his
face flushed with newly aroused rage.
"But first you'll explain what you are
doing here at Elmhurst. Do Jou know
whose home this Isl"
Most assuredly," determined not to
lose my temper. or to be moved by
his threats. 1T ia the property of
Colonel Mortimer. Of the Queens
Rangers"
"And-and you-you came here to
again see-the daughter?" he ques.
toned. as though half regretting the
indiscretion of such suspicion.
"Oh. no. captain; you do the lady
q grave injustice. came here a
prisoner, very much against my will,
not even aware whose plantation this
was. l had no suspicion that Mistress
Mortimer was outside Philadelphia
until I overheard your conversation
with her"
"Overheardi You! In Gods name
where were you"
I'm this room: with both doors ajar
It was impossible not to hear. You
spoke somewhat angrily. you may re-
member. not finding the lady as era.
cious in her reception as expected"
The sarcasm In my tone stung him.
but the surprise was so great that he
could only rip out an oath.
II thought you would have also en-
joyed swearing at that time" con-
tinued cooily, "only you scarcely dared
venture 80 far. You had previously
boosted to me Of your engagement to
the lady. and 1t naturally was sur.
prise to observe how lovingly she
greeted you"
"Hell's acre!" he burst out. "Did
the mink know you were there?"
"lf you refer to Mistress Mortimer,
/ presume she suspected 1t. At least
she came to me shortly thereafter"
Then l understand better what
troubled the girl. But. in Gods name!
how did you ever escape met I was
In every room of the house,"
I smiled pleasantly. There was
nothing for me to gain. or lose, by
goading him, yet 1t was rather enjoy.
able
"That. Of course. I must naturally
refuse to answer, captain. might
need to resort to the same methods
again."
There will be small chance Of your
having opportunity. Mortimer will
hang you fast enough when I tell my
tale. Don't look for mercy at hia
hands. for he's prouder than Lucifer OF
his family honor"
He was out Of the door, striding
! down the hall, bent on carrying out
his purpose. l heard his voice ask.
ing where the colonel was to be found !:
then the guard closed the barrier be,
tween us. Very well. of the two
would rather leave my fate to Morti.
mer than to him, and felt profoundly
grateful that the captain was not in
command. Had he been l should
doubtless have been hung without the
slightest formality of trial. but Nor
timer would at least hear my version
first; indeed. I could hardly believe
he would issue 80 stringent orders
without listening also to his daugh'
ter's story. l was an officer of rank;
the consequences might prove rather
serious were to be executed sum.
marily, and without proper trial.
had scarcely reasoned this out,
however, when corporal threw open
! the door. ordering my guard to con.
duct me into the colonel's presence.
! was taken to the parlor, where the
furniture had been somewhat rear
ranged. and found myself confronting
Mortimer. the officer had heard ad,
"a 4 4 !|||EI