The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-06-08
CHAPTER VI.
The Mistress Of the Houss.

The Mistress Of the Heuss.
stood with ear pressed against the
panel. fingers gripping the butt Of my
revolver An ordinary latch held the
door closed. and pressed this. open
ing the barrier slightly. The move
ment made not the slightest noise. and
gave me glimpse within
In front Of q small crate fire. her
back toward me. snuggled comfortably
down IN the depths OF an easy chair
sat . woman reading. l could see little
Of her because Of the high back Of the
chair rising between us-Only . mass
OF dark brown hair. . 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
at her side. Still she was only a
woman. a 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
iy to the belt Her eyes remained on
the page Of the book think I
would have withdrawn without a word.
but. at that instant. a 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. a 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 rig
Ing instantly to 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, az |
bowed gravely. for my lamp is on
the stairs"
l 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 unfavorable. Ye,
surely that alone was all could hope
for. Except for that one chance en-
counter on the road we had never me,
since we were children. and she would
not likely associate the son of Judge
Wyatt with the man now confrontins
her. attired In the wet and muddy uni
form Of Federal lieutenant. Indeed
1t was better she should not: and 6
feeling Of relief swept over me as
realized her failure to connect me will
the past. No memory of my feature:
found expression in her face, as hel
eyes fell from mine to the clothes
wore.
, You are Union? an officer of-o
cavalry? lean scarcely comprehend
why you should be here" Her atti
tude no longer threatening. the CLEAN
ing pistol lowered. There are Fedora
troops at Lewisburg. but-but d.
not recall your face"
My being here is wholly an acci
dent" explained quietly. II suppose,
the house deserted. and sought en-
trance to get away from the storm
There was broken window"
YES" she interrupted, her eye
again on niue questioningly. II foun,
that when came; someone ha,
broken in"
Robbery. no doubt"
~ am not sure as to that. hav,
found nothing Of any value missing
Indeed we left nothing here to attrac
vandals" She hesit2ted. as thougl
doubtful Of the propriety Of further e,
PLANTATION to . stranger. IL belon
here" she added simply. This is m
home"
"Yes: | supposed as much: you ar
Miss Noreen Harwood?"
Her blue eyes widened. her han
grasping more tightly the back of tn
chair.
YES" she admitted. You knew m
father?"
Slightly: enough to be aware Of -th
existence OF his daughter. and that thi
was his plantation"
"Then you must be connected Wit
the garrison at Charleston?
"No. Miss Harwood; ! belong to tn
Army Of the Potomac. and am her
enlv m pacruitinR service. A word