The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-14
CHAPTER XVI.
The Woman I Loved,

and / think my heart actually stop
ped beating as stood gazing helpless
ly into her face. l saw her eyes
open wide In astonished recognition,
and then a deep flush swept over
throat and cheek. For the instant
believed she would not speak, or that
she would give way to her excitement
and betray everything. l burst give
no signal Of warning, for there ex.
listed no tie between us to warrant
my expecting any consideration from
her. II was an instant so tense that
her silence seemed like a blow. Yet
1t was only an instant. Then her
eyes smiled into mine most frankly,
and her hand was extended.
II am more than delighted to meet
you. Colonel Curran." she said calmly,
although l could feel her lips tremble
to the words, while the fingers I held
were like ice. Myrtle was one of
my dearest friends, and she chanced
TO be In my mind even as we met.
That was why" she added, turning
toward Miss Minor, as though she felt
her momentary agitation had not
passed GHobserved, ~ was so sur.
prised when you first presented
Colonel Curran." .'','
II confess to having felt strangely
myself" returned the other, archly,
although / believe I concealed my
feelings far better than you did, Edith.
Really, / thought you were going to
faint. II must be that Colonel Curran
exercises some strange occult influ-
ence over the weaker sex. Perhaps
he Is the seventh son Of q seventh
son; are you. Colonel? However,
dear. am safe for the present from
his mysterious spell, and you will be
compelled to face the danger alone, as
here comes Lieutenant Hammersmith
to claim the dance I've promised
him"
Before Mrs. Brennan could inter.
fere. the laughing girl had placed her
hand on the Lieutenant's blue sleeve,
and, with a mocking goodbye flung
backward over her shoulder, vanished
In the crowd. leaving us standing
there alone.
The lady waited in much apparent in
gently tapping the floor
with her neatly shod foot.
Would you be exceedingly angry
II / were to ask you to dance" I
questioned, stealing surreptitiously q
glance at her proudly averted face.
Angry? Most assuredly not" in
apparent surprise. yet l trust you
will not ask me. ! have been upon
the floor only once tonight. am
not at all In the mood"
"If there were chairs here should
to ask even a greater favor
that you would consent to sit out this
set with me-"
She turned slightly, lifted her eyes
inquiringly 70 mine, and her face
lightened
mo doubt We might discover seats
difficulty in the anteroom,"
she answered. indicating the direction
by glance. There do net appear to
be many sitters' at this ball, and the
few who do are not crowded"
The apartment contained, as she
but few occupants, and
conducted her to the farther end OF
1t, where We found a comfortable
divan and no troublesome neighbors.
AS glanced at her now, l marked
a distinct change In her face. The
old indifference, so we'll assumed
while we were In the presence of
others, had utterly vanished as by
magic, and she sat looking at me in
anxious yet impetuous questioning.
Captain Wayne" she exclaimed,
her eyes never once leaving my face,
what does this mean? this masquer.
ade? this wearing Of the Federal uni.
form? this taking Of another's name?
this being here at ALP"
IF should say that came hoping
to see you again." answered, scarce
knowing how best to proceed or how
far to put confidence In her, what
would you think?"
IF that Is true. that you were ex.
tremely foolish to take such a risk for
so small reward" she returned calm.
ly. Nor, under these circumstances,
would l remain here so much as
moment TO encourage you. But Il is
no. rue. This is no light act: your
very life must lie In the balance. or
you could never assume such risk"
Il would trust you gladly with my
life or my honor" replied soberly.
III had less faith In you should
not be here now. I understand that
am condemned TO be shot as a SPY
at daybreak
Shot? On what authority? Who
told you?"
On The order Of General Sheridan
My Informant was Lieutenant Caon,
OF his staff"
shot? As a spy? Why, II surely
cannot be! Frank said Cartain
lA