The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-01-30
CHAP TER ~.
The Beginning Of trouble.

Her hand was in mine, my arm al
ready around her waist. when the off,
Ger bowed before US. He had been
but a dim figure In the afternoon, but
now | saw him for a tall, slender man,
somewhat swarthy of face, with black
hair and moustache, and a keen eye,
attired in the green and white Of the
Queens Rangers. He smiled, but with
a sarcastic curl to the upper lip not
altogether pleasant.
Your pardon, Mistress Claire" he
said boldly, sweeping me with a super
Cilious glance, but am l mistaken In
believing this waltz was pledged to
me?"
BY mistake, captain" her lips
smiling, her eyes steady. at seems
| overlooked a promise made during
The afternoon"
"Oh. indeed" he turned toward me.
staring insolently. The hero Of the
rescue, / presume"
l felt the restraining pressure of her
hand upon my sleeve, and her voice
replied calmly, before | succeeded in
linding words.
This is the gentleman who protect.
ed me from the mob, if that is what
Tou mean. Permit me to present Cap
aain Grant of the Queens Rangers,
Lieutenant-pardon my having already
forgotten your name"
"Fortesque," / stammered, intensely
hating the necessary deception.
"Ah. yes-Lieutenant Fortesque of
the Forty-second British Foot"
We bowed coldly, neither extending
a hand, the captain twisting his mus.
tache as he continued staring at me.
"Fortesque," he repeated slowly.
"Fortesque; not of this garrison, / be-
lieve."
"No, from New York." coolly. 81 re-
greet having interfered with your pro-
gram"
Don't mention It; there are other
ladies present, and, no doubt, your
gallant act was worthy the reward; q
pleasant evening, sir" and he with
drew aside, stiffly military. Eager to
lose as little as possible Of the meas
ure, l swung my partner forward,
catching a glimpse again of thu mans
face as we circled.
Pleasant disposition" l ventured,
without meaning to be u%ncivil.
"Oh, very" and her eyes met mins
frankly. But you must not quarrel
with him; that is his one speciality.
you know"
is the warning on your account.
or my own"
Both, perhaps. Captain Grants
family and mine r neighbors-or
were before war intervened-and be-
tween u fathers exists a lifelong
friendship. l could never consent to
be the cause of his quarreling with
anyone, and l have reason to know
how quick tempered he Is"
81 have little use for any man who
swaggers about seeking trouble" l re
turned, as she hesitated. 1T has been
my experience that there Is usually
cowardice back of such a disposition"
Not in this case,' earnestly. Cap
tain Grants courage has been suffl-
GENTLY tested already. ] warn you
not to presume on your theory so far
as he is concerned. advise the safer
course"
What is that?"
Her eyes met mine, smiling slightly,
and yet grave enough in their depths.
TO let this one dance prove sufi.
cient reward for your act Of rescue"
lyon rpuueSt this 7o
oh, you must not place the entire
burden Of decision on me, sir. l can
only suggest"
Has Captain Grant any authority
to dictate who shall be your partner?"
Her lashes lifted, and then fell be-
fora my gaze.
"He al least assumes the power.
and generally with fair success. I
must ask to be excused from discuss.
ing this matter further now, but-but,"
her voice trembled to a whisper, Il
am sure your safety depends upon
your leaving me-"
Astonished by these words, sudden
ly wondering IL she suspected me,
scarcely comprehending what she
meant, l stared into her face. as we
circled the room. Grant stood stifiy
against the wall where we left him,
his eyes fastened moodily on the
crowd; l realized his presence. yet
my whole thought was concentrated
the girl. the strands Of her hair
brushing my lips, her steps lightly fol-
the music, her eye downcagt.
Into the cheeks there came a flush CT
pink, and she glanced up to read the
surprise in my face.
do I need to say mcre?"
Eyes. you must" l insisted. you can
never believe / would leave you be-
cause of personal fear"
81 did not know-at first. Now
1t will require a higher motive
to influence you; ne love of life. but
love of country"
felt the closer clasp of her fingers
on my guiding hand. and knew ] took
deep breath Of surprise.
Lean your head Just a little closer.s
she whispered. I'll know you. Ma
|or Lawrence. and-and I wish y6a
!