The state herald., 1916-06-09
CHAPTER VI.

l 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 mo glimpse within.
In front Of small CRATE IRE, her
back toward me. snuggled comfortably
down in the depths Of an easy chair.
sat woman reading. I 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. I knew vaguely
her waist was white. her skirt cray.
and ! saw the slimmer Of . pearl.
handled pistol lying ON . closed chest
at her side. Still she was only .
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 I
would have withdrawn without q word.
but. at that instant. . draft from the
open door iickered her light. and she
glanced about seeking the cause. 1
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 I knew her to be
Noreen Harwood.
who are you? Why are you hsrei"
she asked tcrsely. . 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 Il
was only 4 step. but the girl recoiIed
slightly. the pearl.handled pistol rts.
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" I an.
swered. seeking to relieve the strain.
and holding my hat In one hand. a. I
bowed sraveiy. 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 unfavorable. 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 Federal lieutenant. Indeed
II was better she should not; and q
feeling Of relief swept over me a.
realized her failure to connect me with
tho past. No memory OF my features
found expression In her face. ss her
eyes fell from mine to the clothes l
wore.
You are Union? an ofiicer of-of
cavalryi Hcan scarcely comprehend
why you should be here" Her stti.
tude no longer threatening. the CLEAN.
ing pistol lowered There are Federal
troops at Lewisbnrg. but-but I do
not recall your face"
My being here is wholly All aec,.
dent" I explained quietly. Il supposed
the house deserted. and sought en-.
trance TO get away from tho storm.
There was \ broken window"
Yes" she interrupted, her eyes
again on mine questioningly. Il found
that when came: someone had
broken In"
Robbery. no doubt"
u am not sure as to that. | haye
found nothing OF any value missing,
Indeed we left nothing here to attract
vandals." She hesitsted. as though
doubtful OF tho propricty OF further ex.
PLANTATION TO stranger. IL belong
here" she added simply. This 10 my
home"
Yes; 1 supposed a. much: you are
Miss Norccn Harwood7"
Her blue eyes widcncd. her hand
xrasping morc tightly tho back Of thc
chair.
YES" she admitted. You knew my
fathcrf"
slightly: enough to be nwnrc OF the
existence Of his daughter, aud that this
was his plantation.
"Then you must be connected With
the garrison at CharicstonS
mo. Miss Hnrwood: I belong to the
Army OF the Potomac. and am here
snly on recruiting service A word OF