The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-03-13

They turned In upon the open lawn
In front Of the door, and l could plain
ly distinguish the faces. There could
no longer be any doubt but what these
were the men We had fought and de.
feated the evening before. Grant, with
the two Hessian officers, was in ad.
vance, and the former strobe directly
toward the house, while the majority
OF his following flung themselves at
full length on the ground, as though
utterly exhausted. Some strange fas.
cination held me m~otionless, watching
the man climb the front steps. The
iron knocker rang loudly twice before
there came any response from with,
In. Then could hear voices, but The
words reaching me were detached, and
without definite meaning. Finally the
door closed, and the two men passed
along the hall. beyond the room In
which | waited. Then Peters voice
said solemnly. as IL announcing a dis,
tinguished guest:
f, Captain Alfred Grant,"
There was an exclamation of sur.
prise, a quick exchange of sentences
indistinguishable, although / was sure
OF Grants peculiar accent, and the
other voice was that OF the young
light Dragon lieutenant. Uncertain
what best to do stole toward the
door and gripped the knob. This was
the only known way out, for | dare
not venture to use the window which
was In plain view of those soldiers
resting on the lawn. Whether Peter
had retired or not. I possessed no
means of knowing, yet l opened the
door silently a bare inch to make sure.
AT the same instant my ears caught
the heutenant's Diminishing order, even
as my eyes had glimpse of Swanson's
broad back blocking the open doorway
OF a room nearly opposite.
That will do, Peter, for the present.
Have the table prepared for three
guests at once"
lie backed out, casting a quick
glance of caution in my direction. and
disappeared down the hall, rubbing his
bald head industriously. / opened the
door wider, wondering IL I dare ven
ture upon slipping by unobserved.
Then Grant spoke, his voice loud
enough to be easily heard,
How did we come here? Why
where else could we go? The damned
rebels stripped US clean; we had to
have food. This was the nearest
place where we We're certain of getting
any. OF course l didn't know our
foragers had left Elmhurst alone. and
that-for some cause which mystiies
Clinton-these Jersey outlaws have
been equally considerate. There was
plenty to be had here, and / meant to
have 1t In spite Of the servants"
"You must have marched straight
past your W place." the boyish voice
interrupted.
We'll, what IL we did? There was
nothing there, as you know. The
house has been stripped to a mere
shell. Not a niger left, nor a horse.
I'd like to know what influence keeps
this property untouched"
That's easily answered. You forget
W 9 are a divided family, with fighting
men on either side"
Little these outlaws care for that"
AT least they appear to, as we re-
main unmolested. There has not been
a raiding party halted here since the
war began"
Well, If you hadn't been at home.
there would have been one along
now" burst forth Grant rather rough
ly. Those fellows out there are des-
perate enough to sack the house II
that was their only method of getting
food. And promised they should have
the chance"
"Oh, you did. indeed! That would
have proven a friendly act"
Necessity does not take much ac-
count Of friendship. ! was responsible
for a hundred starving men. Under
such conditions force would be fusti.
fled. ! doubt IL l could control the fell
lows now If provisions should be re-
fused"
There Is no necessity for indulging
In threats, Captain Grant" said the
boys voice ,coldly. 'Elmhurst has
never yet turned a soldier away in
hunger. Peter will instruct what few
servants remain to attend to the inn
mediate needs of your men. May I ask
how long you expect to remain?"
/ thought Grant was walking nerv-
ously back and forth across the room
How long? Until night. probably.
Then with a bite In our haversac,rs
Wen take the road again. That Is
providing you condescend to act as
our host for SO long a time. Odds life,
but this reception is over warm ~
my thinking"
"Elmhurst is not a tavern. sir"
mo: but the home OF a loyalist-thc
of half those men ont vor.
der. However ! am not pleading sor
them, but myself personally. what
welcome have ] had? BY all the rods
| was almost compelled to fight that
old fool to even gain al
20 the han. Were those vour
orders ~ -A~~-- $500 ~-sss-
-Assuredly not. But you must cor.
sicer circumstances. and forgive pefer
Tor being over sealous In nv s.rvac.
! sscsivsd yea - . a. insw vSc
- wsra"