The state herald., 1913-01-24

fighting Seldom. Trouble with the
colonel is he takes the affair too seri-
ously; imagines he is actually on the
trail. and proposes to remain out all
night. became tired Of such foolish
ness and rode back"
you mean you leftf Deserted?"
"Oh. hardly that" lazily. you see
! was sent out with detachment to
ride down the Lewiston road. ! mere
ly left my sergeant In command and
turned my horses head this way. l
can be back by morning. and wanted
to see you"
ITO see me. Captain Grant! You
disobeyed my fathers orders to ride
back and see me? hardly appreciate
the honor"
"oh. suppose not" his tone grown
suddenly bitter. But / am here Just
the same. and propose carrying out
my intention. What do you think l
am made of-wood? You treat me as
though l possessed no feelings to be
hurt. See here. Claire. don't draw
away from me like that. What has
got into you lately? You have led me
a merry chase all winter In Philadel.
phia, but now you have even dared
to fiaunt me to my face. and In the
presence of your father. Do you sup
pose I am the kind to stand for that?
What is the matter. girl? Who has
come between US? Is 1t that rascally
rebel? No; you stay where you are.
and answer me. That Is what came
back alone for. to find out"
She was upon her feet. and could
even see her hand clasping a lattice
OF the summer house.
why do you ask thisf What right
have you? There was never q prom
ise between u.s.
THE understanding has existed for
ten years: never denied until now" he
protested hotly. you knew I loved
you: I've fought q dozen men on your
account"
True enough" she broke in. you
have challenged every gentleman who
has dared address me. Did you think
such swashbuckling was going to win
my heart? Any girl possessing self
respect would revolt at such methods.
Whatever affection I may have felt
for you as boy has been driven from
me by these actions. You wanted q
slave. q servant. not q companion. and
II IL not In Mortimer blood to yield
to every whim. to every crack of the
whip. never loved you. never con.
fessed l did. tried to be obedie ent,
endeavored to like you to please my
father. but this past winter has SO
thoroughly revealed your real charac-
ter that will pretend no longer"
my character! We have known
each other from childhood. I know
well enough what has made the diff.
ference in you"
Indeed"
Yes. indeed: It's that damned Con.
tinental sry."
ut has been some one ell along,
according to your theory-any gentle
man who has shown me ordinary kind
ness. You have called out Captain
Kincadc. Lieutenant Mathieson. Major
Lang. and others. Just to prove your
ownership OF me. You have made me
the laughing stock Of Philadelphia,
Now II pleases you to select Major
Lawrence with whom TO associate my
name. Because he danced with mo
once you feel justified In quarrcling
with him In my presence. In goadinR
him into lighting you. II was the act
OF n cowardly bully. Whatever respect
may once have had for you. Captain
Grant. has been dlssipated this past
winter"
Can you tell me 1t Is. not Law.
rencei"
II could tell you. and very plainly.
but ! refuse to be questioned"
We'll. by Gadl I know without nsk.
Ing" and he sprang to his feet. grip.
ping her hand. You've helped that
fellow against me from the first. III
put up with It no longer. l came back
hero tonight desperate. prepared to re-
sort to any measures. meant to
give you chance. and. by hcavenl
have. Do you think am the sort OF
man you cnn play WITH Ill can have
you only by force then II Ia going to
be that. oh. don't try to pull away
ivc got you now Just m wanted you
---nionci Your father Ia not here. and
that fool Seldom is busy enough out
yondcr. There Ia not even u guard
to interfere. Do you know what I
mean TO dor
shc mndc no answer. but her silence
seemed to fan his anger.
"sulky. nrc your Well. I'll tell you
Just the same There's preacher iiv.
Ing at tho crossroadp-you know him.
that snivciing. long.faccd jerks. He's
n ranting rebel NIL right. but hcll do
what ! pay. or III cut hla heart out.
You are goinN there with mo tonight
10 bD fuafrtad IN ptit mr. and IN th,u.