The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-07-13
CHAPTER xIil-centInuss.

Ans captain utte0 pair OF glasses
to his eyes and surveyed me with
care.
why. bless me. 20 he TO-" he ejacu-
lated. and you never saw him BE-.
fore!"
mo. and there 10 not another Third
U. .. cavalryman west Of the Al.
leghenies."
The girl laughed and laid her hand
on Whitlock's arm.
Il told Lieutenant Raymond that I
would explain fully" she said. pre-
tending to be amused. II 1t is the uni.
form my friend wears. must assume
all responsibility. a. furnished It,"
"You!" there was q sarcastic sneer
in the lieutenant's surprised exclams.
ton. why should you have in your
possession Q uniform Of the Third Reg.
ulars?"
Il did not" she answered sweetly.
but looking at Whitlock. That uni.
form belonged to my cousin. an ON.
Ger Of the Third Kentucky"
Raymond uttered a smothered az.
preston. stared an instant At her
slightly averted face. and then, with
one stride forward. swung me to the
light
"see here. Captain Whitlock," he
exclaimed Indignantly. Il cannot COZ
ceive what object Miss Harwood may
have in desiring to protect this man.
but this is not the uniform Of any vol.
unteer regiment"
DO I understand. lieutenant. that
you dare question my word7" shs
asked proudly. her eyes gazing
straight into his. Il am unaccustomed
cir. to such treatment"
wait a moment. Raymond" broke
In the captain. There is no doubt Of
Miss Harwood's loyalty. Let US hear
hsr explanation first. You say. Miss
Harwood, you know this man? that he
is friend? May I ask his name?"
Surely; only desire an oppor
tunity to answer any question. He is
Thomas Wyatt. the son of the late
Judge Wyatt. whose home was on the
ridge yonder. We were children to-
gether."
"A rebel?"
Really. never thought to ask"
carelessly. Il was too glad to have
his protection. We've spoke only of
our childhood days together. still I
gathered the impression that MIR.
Wyatt had never Joined either side.
and was merely here to look after his
property. OF course he can explain
all that" e.
But how came he to be dressed In
that uniform?" burst in Raymond
"Will you be courteous enough to
permit me to tell you? have endeav-
ored twice already to fully explain.
Mr.. Wyatt came here In the midst Of
the storm last night He had found
his own home destroyed. and this was
the nearest shelter to be found He
supposed the house deserted. and
merely sought protection until morn
ing How I chanced to be here you
gentlemen both know. and that mat
ter requires no explanation MIR. Wyatt
arrived with his clothing muddy. and
soaked with rain. ! gave him the
only change to be found in the house
"a uniform belonging originally to q
cousin of mine. Lieutenant Anton
Harwood. Third Kentucky cavalry.
But this is not the uniform worn
By volunteer troops. Captain Whit.
lock. insist"
Really. Lieutenant Raymond" the
girl said. fronting him. her eyes
sparkling. this is becoming moot tire
some. What do l care what uniform 1t
Is! have told you where 1t came
from. how it chanced to be there. and
the reason 1t was worn by this man.
l cannot be expected to know all the
petty distinctions Of the service"
But surely" spoke up the captain.
plainly bewildered. the suit he wore
when he came can be produced. You
know where that is?"
II know where It was" she an.
swered coolly. Hanging before the
fireplace In the dining room. How
ever | cannot guarantee that It re-.
mains there now-this house has bees
sstssA ~ oewaa's guerrillas, and.