The state herald., 1916-06-09

father must have removed thoss Of in.
portance.
Possibly he carried them WITH
him!"
She leaned her head on her hand.
her eyes thoughtful.
Il think he once told me they were
left In charge of banker at Charles.
ton-an old friend. It would be too
dangerous to carry them about with
him In the field. You see do not
know very much about his AFFAIR."
she explained. II was away at school
when the war broke out, and We have
only met briefly since. My father did
not talk freely Of his personal matters
even to me. learned Of his feud with
Cowan by accident"
1T was Q feud then?"
ION one side at least My father
was shot at, and several Of our out
houses burned. The trouble arose
over the title to property. Cowan." "
she explained. was a squatter on land
which had belonged to our family ever
since my grandfather first settled here.
We had title from Virginia, but the
tract granted had never been properly
surveyed. My father had 1t done. and
discovered that Ned Cowan and two Of
his sons occupied q part Of our land
with no legal right"
Her eyes uplifted to my face. and
then fell again. one hand opening and
closing on the back of the chair. She
laughed pleasantly.
Il hardly know why am telling you
all this family history" she continued
almost In apology 1T 10 as II talked
to an old friend who was naturally In.
terested In our affairs"
Perhaps the manner of our meeting
accounts for IT," ventured. But
truly am more deeply interested than
you imagine. II may prove Of mutual
advantage for me to know the facts.
Did Major Harwood try to force them
from his landf"
"Oh. no." hastily, my father had no
such thought. He tried to help them
to purchase the property at . very
small price. and on long time. His
intention was to aid them. but he
found himself unable to convince either
father or sons Of his real purpose. They
either could not. or would not. under.
stand. Do you realize the reckless.
lswless nature Of these mountain
meni"
"Yes. to some extent: they trust no
one"
That was the whole trouble Seem.
ingly they possessed but one idea
that II my father was killed they could
remain where they were indefinitely.
Their single instinct was to fight II out
with rifles. They refused to either
purchase or leave"
There was silence. as though she
had finished. She had seated herself
on the vide arm Of the chair. still fac
ing me. and could hear the rain beat.
ing hard against the side Of the house.
Suddenly she looked up into my face.
How odd that I should talk to you
50 freely" she exclaimed. why DO
not even know your name"
Charles II. Raymond"
could not be certain that the q.
preston Of her eyes changed. for they
suddenly looked away from me. and
she stood again upon her feet.
Raymond. you say!" the slightest
hardening Of tone apparent. "on 70
cruiting service from the Army Of the
Potomac!" She drew a quick breath.
IL think have heard the name b.
fore. Would you mind II did ask to
see your orders?"
Not In the least" l answered. not
wholly surprised that she should have
heard OF the other. and confident the
papers I bore would be properly exc
cuted. Il prefer that you have no
doubt a. to my Identity"
She took them. and noted q slight
trembling OF her hands as she held the
paper open In her fingers. her eyes
glancing swiftly down the written
lines.
II have become quite soldier OF
late" she said. and handed the pack.
axe DNCk 10 Iue. Auu ChHHOt uOuUt
your credentials. am very glad TO
meet you. Lieutenant Raymond" and
she held out her hand cordially. As
! have admitted already. ! an Noreen
Harwood.'
Whom ! shall only be delighted to
serve In any manner possible" ] 70
piled galiantly. relieved that she was
80 easily convinced
"Oh. l think the service Is more
likely to be mine. You confessed you
broke In here seeking after food and =
fire Down below we may find both.
and II will be my pleasure thus TO
serve u Federal officer You have =
lamp Without"
"on the stairs?"
She led the way like u mistress In
her own home. and | followed. There
was force OF character about the girl
not TO be ignored. She chose TO treat
me as n guest. unlimited. but none the
less welcome. u position was not re.
Ia 81 uv,e In I hslA h. Ia. n a.