Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-08-01
ngnr over near Lone Tree"

q hgnt over near Lone Tree"
THAT was your sister,"
What! You don't mean 1t was
Claire?"
But l do. I CHANGED to be in that
affair myself. and saw her. Later she,
with three others-Peter, an Indian.
and an Irishman-captured me, mis-
taking me for some one else, and took
me to Elmhurst. As soon as she
learned my identity she acknowl-
edged her error. But I have not
learned yet why she was with Della
van, or for whom she mistook me-"
The lad drew in his breath sharp
ly, gripping me by the shoulder.
by the Lord Harry" he exclaimed
excitedly. There isn't another girl
In the Colonies who would have done
It. I'll bet ! can explain, but even !
didn't think she would ever have the
nerve to perform such deed. told
you left my papers there. forgot
them where changed my clothes. You
see came out wearing the uniform OF
British dragoon lieutenant, and had
It all planned out to Join Delavan, and
guide him toward Philadelphia over
the Lone Tree road. Just before ! LETT
our camp at Valley Forge on this trip
I received orders from Washington to
keep my eyes open for courier rid.
Ing from Philadelphia to New York
with Clinton's plans Of evacuation.
Hamilton seemed to know all about
this, and sent me special instructions.
I talked of 1t with Claire, planned how
I was going to waylay him, and to.
gether we fixed up those servants as
soldiers to help me carry out the de-
ception."
He paused, chuckling, and halted,
eager to learn the rest.
"And when you disappeared; when,
perhaps, she heard Of your capture.
or suspected 1t, she assumed the dis
carded uniform and went forth In
your stead"
That's It, Lawrence. She would,
II she thought It was right; II she be-
lieved such an act necessary to save
my reputation. I'll bet she found the
papers in my pocket, and mistook you
for Clinton's dispatch bearer"
There Is no doubt of It," l said So
berly. "And that wasn't all she did
to protect you. 1t was the talk at
Lees headquarters that you had de-
serted. She stamped that lie, by
riding into our lines day before yes.
terday, bringing an exact report OF
where Clinton was marching. didn't
see her, but l heard all about 1t. and
you get the credit. Washington told
me with his own lips, and granted her
permission to remove your father, who
was badly wounded, to Elmhurst."
Good God! Are they here now?"
"They must have reached here early
yesterday morning. passed them on
the road at ten o'clock. Grant had
Just Joined their party, claiming to
be hunting after deserters."
He chung to the fence rail. staring
, out toward the house.
Grant Do you know, / believe
/ that fellow Is at the bottom Of this
, whole affair. He's in love with Claire
and-and he's working some scheme
1 to gain power over her."
r Several schemes. l think" I 70
3 turned heartily. 1--WE nipped two Of
them In the bud already. Someway
4 Mortimer, he got possession Of those
a instructions you received from Wash
! ington and Hamilton. / ran into hin
D over there on the lawn. back Of the
! Summef.h6u5e. He wrs threatening
| Claire, trying to drive her into mar
, rying him offhand. We had bit of O
fight. and got the best Of It When
| left wore his coat, and later found
. your papers in his pocket Do you
, remember how they were addressed?'
) He shook his head.
, Simply Mortimer It occurred tC
me he could turn them over to Clln
ton, accuse the colonel Of treason, ant
Z share In the confscation Of this es
tate. or else hold them as threat
, over your sister. burned them"
He was silent for a long minute
breathing hard; then he thrust out hi
hand and clasped mine.
THE damned villalnl" he ejaculat
ed. his voice trembling. Every NOV,
, he has made has been an attempt Il
l ruin us. l can see It now. Do yol
/ suppose Claire really cares for tn,
fellowf"
- II am very sure she does not"
q "Then what. in heavens name, doe
she let him hang around for? al
a ways hated the sight Of his black fac,
and internal grin. but somehow,
D thought she rather liked him. won
Ter II he can be there now! II he is
3 then he and Fagin are up to some dew
a llment."
"And what that may be we'll never
discover by talking here" put In
sternly, suddenly realizing We were
: wasting time. Come. let's get around
I Ito the north side"
We came In back Of the summer
house. and had just left the road
when three horsemen galloped past
straight up to the front door. which
stood wide open. The black shadow
Of man appeared in the glow o.
light. shading his eyes as he looked
out into the darkness.
''Is that you. Culveri-
YES" sullenly, the speaker swing
, Ing down from the saddle.
} well. you've been hell Of while
getting here. Fagin will skin yo'
alive; it's nearly daylight already"
Did the best could; the cantin
, hypocrite wasn't at home; ~had to q
. clear to Medford after him. Come OF
, now. get out o. thatl"
He dragged the center figure rough
ly from his horse. and hustled hin
! up the steps.
} The Oh fool thinks we're goin' 4
, kill him, | reckon; been prayln' 70
/ IN hour past. Bill got so mad h
| n