The Cairo bulletin., 1912-06-08

WIG. w III 10 oAc tAii6I IVY - ySA -
terfere in my personal affairs again.
| am going TO XIII you"
Indeed" smilingly. rs Mistress
Mortimer aware of the honor you are
according herr"
she is aware OF the engagement,
II that is what you mean 1t has been
understood since our childhood.
"Oh. / see; family arrangement.
Well Grant, this is all very interest
ing. but | am unable to conceive what
| have to do with 1t. met Mistress
Mortimer by accident, and then was
fortunate enough TO dance with her
once. Ills scarcely likely We shall
ever meet again The daughter OF u
colonel of Queens Rangers is not apt
to come again into contact with an
officer Of the Maryland Line. | don't
know why you should single me out
In this matter don't even know the
lady's brother"
"T4er hrother?"
Eyes. the family renegade; the twin
brother on Lees stan"
| could not perceive the expression
of the mans face, but he was long
while answering.
"Oh, yes. She told you about him.
1T was mentioned Would | know
the boy from any resemblance TO his
sister,"
| Yves, at least | should suppose
so. You must have become very init
mate for her to have told you that.
I You see tit is family secret"
Nothing for Tories to boast over,
should imagine. However. 1t came
up naturally enough while we spoke OF
the sufferings OF the American army
during the winter. 1t is sad thing
the way this war has divided families.
Has Mistress Claire any Colonial SEN
timents?"
"How the devil do | know! She
would not be likely to air them before
| me. | don't know what fool trick you
played on her last night. but she's on
the right side just the same"
81 think so, too"
His manner was so disagreeable
that instantly determined to have an
end. | had more important work be-
fore me than quarreling with this fell
low, and. somehow. his claimed init
macy with Mistress Mortimer grated
upon me strangely.
IF that Is all you requested an In
terview for, Captain Grant," l said
coldly, "Iql trouble you to return to
your men"
Irritated that had even condescend'
ed to question him, turned back up
the road to where the men were yet
busy about the wagons, spoke few
words TO Duval, he explaining to me
the best route toward the river cross
ing at Burlington. and then swung In
to the saddle and sent the black for
ward to the crest of the ridge.
permitted the animal to go his own
gait, and for mile or more he kept
up hot gallop, finally firing to q
trot SO far an | could judge from the
few stars visible we were travelling al
most due north. However, was Ger
tainly getting farther away from The
British lines, and could swing to the
!, left at daylight. 1t made little differ
enee where l struck the Delaware;
every mile north added to my safety.
My horse had fallen into long
swinging lope, bearing us forward rap
idly. The moon had disappeared, bu
the sky was glittering with stars, ant
could distinguish the main feature!
OF the country traversed | was on tht
summit of a slight ridge, but the roat
swerved to the right, leading dowr
into a broad valley. There were nj
signs Of habltations. until we rounded
the edge Of small grove. and came
suddenly upon a little village Of ,
dozen houses on either side the high
way. These were wrapped in dark
ness, apparently deserted, shapeles
appearing structures, although
thought one had the appearance OF |
tavern, and another seemed a store
There was a well in front of this last
and water sparkled in log trough be
side It. My horse stopped, buryin,
his nostrils In the water, and, sud
/. denly made aware Of my own thirst
| swung down from the saddle. M!
hands were upon the well-rope when
without warning, was gripped from
0 behind, and flung down into the dir
Of the road. | made desperate effor
to break away, but two men held me
one with knee pressed into my chest
the other uplifting the butt OF a pfc
y tol over my head. There was not
word spoken, but could see the!
T. we're in uniform. although the fellow
II kneeling on me had the features an,
;, long hair Of an Indian. My hors
u started to bolt, but his rein wa
L gripped. and then third figure
Q mounted, rode into the range of M
vision.
u Search him for weapons, Tonepah.
d said boyish voice briefly. "Ther
are pistols in the saddle holsters, bu
y he may haveSothers. Then tic him u
as quick as you can"
B. There was no mistaking my captor
4, the young dragoon lieutenant. an
q the three who had escaped with hin
y But why had they ridden in this d
y rection? WAT object could they hav
u In thus attacking me? They afforde
% me little opportunity for solving theH