Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-12-24
CHAPTER vi.
The Mistress 81 the House.

The Mistress Of the House.
i stood with ear pressed against the
panel, fingers gripping the butt Of my
revolver. An ordinary latch held the
door closed. and l pressed this, open
ing the barrier slightly The move
ment made not the slightest noise, and
gave me 3 glimpse within.
In front of a small CRATE fire. her
back toward me, snuggled comfortably
down in the depths OF an easy chair,
sat q woman reading. could see little
OF her because Of the high back of the
chair rising between us-only q mass
Of dark brown hair. a smooth. rounded
cheek. and the small white hand rest
ing On the chair arm. knew vaguely
her waist was white, her skirt gray.
and saw the glimmer Of a pearl
handled pistol lying on a closed chest
Ut her side. Still she was only q
woman, mere girl apparently, whom
| had no cause to fear. The sudden
reaction caused me to smile with re-
lief. and to return my revolver silent
ly to the belt. Her eyes remained on
the page of the book. think
would have withdrawn without a word.
but, at that instant. draft from the
open door fiickered her light, and she
glanced about seeking the cause.
caught the startled expression In her
eyes as she first perceived my shadow;
the book fell to the floor, her hand
gripping the pistol, even as she arose
hastily to her feet. The light was
on her face. and | knew her to be
Noreen Harwood.
who are you? Why are you here?"
she asked tersely. q tremor in the
voice, but no shrinking in those eyes
that looked straight at me.
moved forward from out OF the
shadow into the radius Of light. 1t
was only step, but the girl recoiled
slightly. the pearl-handled pistol ris-
ing instantly 80 q level with my eyes.
Stand where you are!" she ordered
What are you doing, creeping about
this house in the dark?"
Not in the dark exactly" / an
swered, seeking to relieve the strain
and holding my hat in one hand, as
bowed gravely. for nay lamp Is on
the stairs"
| marked the quick change of ex
preston In her eyes as they swept
over me. There was no evidence OF
recognition; scarcely more than q fam
acknowledgment that my appearance
was not entirely unfavorable. Ye
surely that alone was all could hops
for. Except for that one chance en-
counter on the road we had never me
since we were children, and she woule
not likely associate the son Of Judgi
Wyatt with the man nov confronting
her, attired in the wet and muddy uni
! form of q Federal lieutenant Indee.
, 1t was better she should not; and
feeling Of relief swept over me az
realized her failure to connect me viii
the past. Nc memory Of my feature
found expression In her face. as he
eyes fell from mine TO the clothes
| wore.
You are Union? IN onicer off
. cavalryf lean scarcely comprehen
why you should b here" Her att
tide no longer threatening. the CLEAN
Ing pistol lowered There are Eederz
troopG at Lewisburg. but-but |
not recall your face"
MY being here IL wholly an ace
dent" | explained quietly. 81 suppose
the house deserted. and sought @
trance to get away from the storm
There was . broken window"
YEA" she interrupted, her eye
again on mine questIoningly. Il foun
that when came: someone ha
broken In"
|. Robbery. no doubt"
I Il am not sure mn 70 that. hav
found nothing of any value missing
Indeed We left nothing here to attrat
vandals." She hesftated. as thoug
doubtful OF the propriety OF further 9
PLANTATION TO q stranger. I'll beIon