The Lamar register., 1913-03-05


sAttaek Tonight. Plan .. Use Tsls.
graph" She Read.
he was q rejected sutton OF her daugn-
tors.
Surprise, horror and conviction
lodged in her soul, and were mirrored
in her face. Arrelsford saw and d.
vined what was passing in her mind,
and. eager to strike while the iron was
hot, bent forward open-mouthed to
continue his line of reasoning and de-
nunciation, but Mrs. Varney checked
him. She laid her finger upon her Lips
and pointed with the other hand to
the front Of the house
What" exclaimed the Confederate
secret service agent: ~ he theref
Mrs. Varnsy nodded
He may be. He went out to the
summer-house some time ago to wait
for Edith; they were going over to
Caroline Mitford's later on. saw
him go down the walk"
do you suppose my men could have
alarmed himr asked Arrelsford.
greatly perturbed at this unexpected
development.
81 don't know. They were all at the
back windows. They didn't seem to
make much noise. l suppose not. You
have . description of the man for
whom the letter was intended"
Yes, at the ONCE; but I remember
1t perfectly"
Does it At this-this Captain
Thorns?"
You might a. well know sooner or
later, Mrs. varney. that there II no
Captain Thorne. This II an assumed
name. and the man you have in your
house II 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 recognised a. q reputable per
son. % that he would be less likely
to be suspected. He has corrupted
your servants-you saw old Jonas
and he has contrived to enlist the pow
erful support Of your daughter. His
aim il the war department telegraph
office. He il friendly with the men q
that ONCE. What else he hasn't done
or what he has, the Lord only knows.
But Warrington IL not the only place
where they have a secret service; We
have one at Richmond. Whatever
game he plays, It IL one that two can
play; and now 1t il my play"
The patter of light footsteps was
heard on the stairs. . flash Of white
seen through the open door into the
hall dimly lighted, and Edith varney
came rapidly. almost breathlessly, into
the room. She had changed her dress,
and II 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 lowered white muslin
frock that she was going to accept
the invitation. In one hand she held
her hat. which she swung carelessly
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 surei"
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 reahzing what
a terrible effect such disclosures a.
she had listened to would produce
upon tho mind of tho girl
Come" said Edith. turning rapidly
toward the rear window; I'VE must
stop It."
Mrs. varney stood a. II 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
10 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.