The Rice belt journal., 1916-01-21
CHAPTER VI
The Mistress Of tho House.

''OOu Win ear pressed against the
panel fingers gripping the butt OF my
revolver An ordinary latch held the
aoor closed, and pressed this open
ing the barrier slightly. The move
ment made not the slightest noise and
gave me a glimpse within
IN 'front.' Of small grato Ere her
PACK toward me, snuggled comforta bly
down in the depths OF an easy chair
sat woman reading. | could see little
OF her because Of the high back Of the
chair rising between us-only a mass
OF dark brown hair. a smooth. rounded
cheek, and the small white hand rest.
Ing on the chair arm. knew va.ueIy
her waist was white, her skirt gray.
and ! saw the glimmer Of a pearl.
handled pistol lying on a closed chest
at her side. Still she was only a
woman. mere girl apparently. whom
! mad no cause TO fear. The sudden
reaction caused me to smile with re-.
hef, and to return my revolver silent.
ly TO the belt. Her eyes remained on
the page Of the book think |
would have withdrawn without 4 word
but, at that instant. a draft from the
open door iickered her liKLt, 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, a tremor in the
voice, but no shrinking in those eyes
that looked straight at me.
J moved forward from out OF the
shadow into the radius Of light. II
was only a step, but the girl recoled
slightly. the pearlhandled pistol ris.
ing instantly to level with nv ewes.
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 grayely, for my 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 faint
acknowledgment that my appearance
was not entirely uniaVorable. Yet
surely that alone was all | could hope
for Except for that one chance en-
counter on the road we had never met
since we were children, and she would
not likely associate the son OF Judge
Wyatt with the man now confronting
her, attired In the wet and muddy uni
form OF a Federal lieutenant. Indeed
It was better she should not; and a
feeling OF relief swept over me as |
realized her failure to connect me with
the past No memory Of my features
found expression In her face, as her
eyes fell from mine to the clothes |
wore.
You are Union? an o11cer of-of
cavalry? I-csn scarcely comprehend
why you should be here" Her attI
tude no longer threatening. the gleam-
ing pistol lowered. There are Federal
troops at LeWisburs, but-but DO
not recall your face"
My being here is wholly an acci.
dent" | explained quietly. Il supposed
the house deserted, and sought en-,
trance to get away from fhS storm
There was q broken window"
Yes" she interrupted, her eyes
a gain on mine auestIoninEly. 81 found
that when + came; someone had
broken in"
Robbery, no doubt.
u am not sure a. to that. have
found nothing OF any value missing.
Indeed Ws left nothinE here to attract
yandals." She hesitated, as though
doubtful Of the propriety Of further ex.
PLANTATION to a stranger, II beloL g
here" she added simply This Is my
home"
Yes; supposed as much; you are
Miss Noreen Harwoodl"
Her blue eyes wldened, her hand
grasping more tightly the back OF the
chair
Yes" she admitted You knew my
tather?"
Slightly; enough to be aware of the
existence Of his daughter, and that this
was his plantation
Then you must be connected with
the garrison at Charleston"
mo. Miss Harwood; | belong to the
Arr,y ~ tho Pot0mac and am here