The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-05-30

Does II ht this-this Captain
Thorne?"
you might as well know sooner or
later, Mrs. Varney. that there is no
Captain Thorne. This Is an assumed
name, and the man you have in your
house Is Lewis Dumont."
DO you mean he came here to"
"He came to this town, to this
house." said Arrelsford vindictively.
his voice still subdued but full Of fury,
knowing your position. the influence
OF your name, your husbands rank
and service, for the sole purpose OF
getting recognized as n reputable per
son, so that he would be less likely
to be suspected He has corrupted
your seryants-you saw old Jonas
and he has contrived 20 enlist the pow
erful support of your daughter. His
aim Is the war department telegraph
office He is friendly with the men at
that office. What else he hasn't done
or what he has, the Lord only knows.
But Washington is not the only place
where they have a secret service; we
have one at Richmond. Whatever
game he plays. It is one that two can
play; and now it is my play"
The patter of light footsteps was
heard on the stairs. a fash Of white
seen through the open door into the
hall dlmly lighted, and Edith Varney
came rapidly, almost breathlessly, into
the room. She had changed her dress.
and If Caroline Milford had been
there, she would have known certainly
from the little air of festivity about
her clean but faded and darned.
sprigged and fowered white muslin
frock that she was going to accept
the invitation. In one hand she held
her hat, which she swung earelessly
by its long faded ribbons, and in the
other that official envelope which had
come to her from the President of the
Confederacy. She called to her moth
er as she ran down.
Mammal" Her face was white and
her voice was pitched high. fraught
with excited intensity. Under my
window, in the rosebushes. at the back
of the house! They're hurting some
body frightfully. am sure!"
She burst into the room with the
last word. Mrs. Varney stared at her,
understanding fully who. in all prob
ability, was being roughly dealt with
in the rosebushes, and realizing what
a terrible effect such disclosures as
she had listened to would produce
upon the mind of the girl.
Come" said Edith, turning rapidly
toward the rear window; I'VE must
stop it,"
Mrs. varney stood as If rooted to
the floor
Well" said the girl, in great sur
prise, IF you aren't coming, will go
myself"
These words awakened her mother
to action.
"Wait, Edith" she said.
Now, and for the first time, Edith
noticed Mr.. Arrelsford. who had
stepped back and away from her
mother. She replied to his salutation
with a cold and distant bow. The
mans face flushed; he turned away. |
But mamma the men outside" per
sisted the girl
Wait, my dear" said her mother,
taking her gently by the arm; 81 must
tell you something. 1t will be a great
shock to you, l am afraid"
What is it, mamma? Has father
Or"
mo, no, not that" said Mrs. Var
ney. "a man we have trusted as a
friend has shown himself conspra-
tor, a spy, a traitor"
who is it?" cried the girl, at the
same time instinctively divining-how
or why she could not tell, and that
thought smote her afterward-to
whom the reference was being made
Mrs. Varney naturally hesitated to
say the name. Arrelsford, carried
away by his passion for the girl and
his hatred for Thorne, was not so
He stepped toward her.
1T Is the gentleman, Miss Varney,
whose attentions you have been
pleased to accept in the place of
mine" he burst out bitterly.
His manner and his meaning we're
The girl stared at him
with a white, naughty face, in spite of