Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-12-06
The I
Trail of a Traitor :
BY c. c. HOTCHKISS &
Copyright-The Frank A. Munsey Company )
Copyright-The Frank A, Munsey Company

By C. C. HOTCHKISS

try. But the return was more or less
necessary. Beside that there would
be little danger from Melton within
the next two hours. il Clinton kept his
promise, there w" matters calling
us both back; i for my rapier and
Champe's papers. and the girl for div
ers things q woman needs. She could
not escape in the flimsy thing she
then wore, for the sky had become
overcast, the air chilly. and storm
was threatening.
found my aunt in a dead faint on
the floor of the library, and near the
open window frolh which she had
screamed. From this concluded that
Lysander had not recovered before
she succumbed, else he would not
have thought of her as being at Clin-
tons His own escs pc was made clear
when, on examining the door OF t e
closet, | discovered that the hasp Of
the lock had gone, the bolt engaging
with wood only, which gave way easi-
ly. The open parlor window showed
how he had left the house, and his
horse accounted for his early appear
ance at headquarters.
After getting the ponderous body OF
my little respected relative to her own
apartment, / went 10 my room, recov-
cred my papers, and managed to fast
en- my sword under the pelisse 80 that
l could at least walk without its be-
ing observed. Telling Agnes to hurry
and that l would await her In the sit
ting room, went downstairs with my
nerves in q state Of tension but my
senses we'll balanced. now saw clear
hope ahead, though / had not thought
of what we should do after getting
through the barrier.
There would be time Tor that later.
The sitting or living room at Cherry
Hill was a large and high wainscoted
apartment with oak rafters dark from
age. At that hour the poor light from
growing poorer, and the great room
was almost gloomy. There was a glass
door opening onto the back piazza,
which overlooked the kitchen, garden,
and stable. In each corner Of the room
was large closet used for household
purposes, mirror in every panel as
help to light the apartment. Save
the glass door to the piazza, there
was but one entrance, a heavy oak
door opening into The main hall.
When / went downstairs We had
been in the house for nearly an hour,
and / was wondering why Agnes de-
layed joining me, when l heard her
coming. She had changed her dress
to some thick woolen stuff; close
hood had taken the place of her gay
hat, and in her hand was well-hlled
portmanteau.
I'VE must hasten!" she said, her
burning cheeks showing the state of
her nerves. Mrs. Melton has just
recovered. She thinks / will return
to her in minute. hope Clinton
will"
She never completed that sentence
She stopped short and listened, and
one did not have TO listen hard. For
at that instant heard the front door
dashed open, it having been left un
fastened when we returned; then
came the call of man, the clatter OF
many feet, and military command
/ knew what had happened.
dropped the portmanteau / had taken
from the gi1, who now spyans toward
the hall door as if to close 1t; but ere
she got halfway across the floor she
found herself face to face with her dis.
carded lover. Behind him came Brit.
ish officer and four dragons, the lat.
ter halting just outside the door.
Melton was sight.
De had got into uniform, but was
without side-arms. He was hatless
his hair was disordered, and his face
as white as chalk. Here she isl" he
exclaimed, and stopped breathing
hard as he stared at the girl. who
stood without moving. That the man
took me TO be his mother was fairly
plain. l sank into chair and quietly
fumbled for my sword, but could not
clear it. For a moment after Melton's
| exclamation not word was spoken;
in fact, there was hardly a sound in
the room; without doubt, it was the
most dramatic and least dignified mo-
ment Of my life.
He'll" said Melton, finally catch
Ing his breath and exploding. 80
you have taken the bit and are run
ming! Where 10, in Gods name?"
Agnes made no return TO this coarse
outburBt.
Where is that man?" he demanded
taking a step toward her.
Am l his keeper" returned the
girl. Il shall not speak TO you again
until you remove those men from this
room, Are you not ashamed OF your
self. sir?" She said this quietly. bu,
saw tho strain she was under; hel
cheeks were now as white rs Melton's
Whether 1t was shame or a desire
to conciliate the girl. know not; bu,
he Obeyed readily enough, and order