The Holly chieftain., 1916-02-18
CHAPTER XIII.
Before Lieutenant Raymond.

| The headlOng rush stopped in star
| tied amazement at sight OF US, and
stood there staring at them. unable to
speak. my revolver lowered. In that
instant of pause. an officer thrust the
men aside and faced me, sword in
hand
What does this mean. sir! Who
are you?" he questioned. sweeping his
glance over my uniform. and then be-
yond me at the two others.
| Il would ask the same question"
returned. not yet assured as to whom
confronted, and suspecting some trick.
"We believed ourselves attacked by
guerrillas: Are you soldiers?"
well. rather" with a short. grim
laugh. These are Pennsylvania cav.
alrymen. My name is Raymond. and
I demand to know. first of all, where
you got possession of that Third U. s.
cavalry uniform"
Perhaps in his excitement he had
not really recognized her before; but
these words were scarcely out Of his
mouth when the lady stood beside me.
facing him. / caught one swift fash
Of her eyes az though warning me to
silence. Whatever fear she had for
merly felt seemed to have left her In
this crisis. for she stood erect, her
cheeks flushed, her eyes frankly meet
ing those of the surprised officer.
| you will. however. recognize me.
lieutenant" she said pleasantly. and
extended her hand. "and II you will
listen think / can clear up the mys.
terry"
"Miss-Miss Harwood," he muir.
INJURED. slightly embarrassed. but still
belligerent. his glance wandering
from her face to mine. Certainly
We hoped to find you here. 1t was to
rescue you we came-at least it was
that hope which led me to request the
sending Of troops. and to accompany
them. This outrage has been commit.
ted, ! believe, by Cowans gang. and
this man here"
is my friend" she interrupted
quietly. Lieutenant Raymond. II
you will kindly order Jour men to re-
tire will gladly explain his presence
in the house"
you wish to speak to me alone?
mot necessarily; but l certainly
prefer greater privacy than this. You
are in commando"
| mo; Captain Whitlock is below"
He turned toward the crowd blocking
the doorway and l grasped the oppor-
tunity to breathe hasty word OF
warning into the ear of Nichols. The
| girl never glanced again at either OF
US.
Take the men back into the hall,
sergeant" the lieutenant ordered.
''and look through whatever rooms
have not been visited. Request Cap
tain Whitlock to Join me here"
| We waited motionless. the lieuten-
ants hand on the butt Of his revolver.
as though he half suspicioned treach-
cry. Twice he endeavored to open
conversation with the lady. but her
response was not encouraging. and he
evidently did not feel safe except with
his eyes on me. Raymond fronted me,
a tall, well-proportioned fellow. with
incipient mustache, black and curled
at the points; rather long face. and
eyes sternly serious. There was about
him an appearance Of force-a bit Of
bully should say-and his uniform
was new. and carefully fitted.
A man stood in the doorway. bow
ing. his mild blue eyes surveying US
nervously. He sported light beard.
closely trimmed. the top Of his head
| nh to N tso
shoulder. Miss Noreen greeted him
with welcoming smile. and he
stepped gallantly forward, bending low
as he accepted her hand.
so pleased. so delighted. Miss Har-
wood. to find you safe and we'll We
were, indeed. greatly worried at the
thought of your being here alone"
he exclaimed. slight lisp in his
voice. You have not suffered,
trust?"
mot seriously. Captain Whitlock;
the guerrillas were outwitted-"
"Ah! do not attempt to explain, l
beg. We understand what you have
passed through, as we have captured
two Of the villains. You sent for me,
Lieutenant Raymond"
Yes. sir. did" the young officers
expression exhibiting clearly the con.
tempt he felt for his superior. II pre-
ferred that you decide what shall be
done with this fellow" pointing at
finger at me. Miss Harwood vouches
for him. but fail to understand how
he comes to be in the uniform Of my
| regiment