Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-10-25

Ny prospects, fair enough the mo
ment before, were blacker than the.
had yet been. thought had been VI
to my neck in danger before appear
ed in No. 3 Broadway, but now l was
immersed to the eyes. know moi
what Arnold might have said to me al
that time, but l believe I stood still
Just as stands prisoner before the
firing-squad.
My whirlng brain saw but one end
to this. Miss Barrow would enter
take a single look at me and denounce
rue as an imposter. Then would come
exposure, and l could easily imagine
Arnold's wrath. God! | died twenty
times in as many seconds, and those
seconds seemed as many hours. l had
become fairly numb in body and brain
when saw the door opened by the or
derly who formally announced:
Mistress Agnes Barrow"
Even in my state I did not fail to
mark the beauty of the woman who
was to condemn me to death, but
could not then have described single
point about her save that she was
dressed for the street; that a mask
dangled from her wrist, and that as
she swept into the room she halted
dropped graceful courtesy, and then
stood still, her eyes playing between
me and general Arnold. She was
plainly embarrassed in finding herself
In the presence Of stranger.
"You-you sent for me, sir" she
said, in 4 low, sweet voice, turning tc
Arnold.
Mistress Barrow" said the traitor
awkwardly getting TO his feet, "were
the light better you would have nc
need of asking why. Allow me to pre-
sent your betrothed." He smiled grim
ly at the situation, undoubtedly think
ing that the strange look which came
into the girls blue eyes was caused by
happy surprise
And for an instant genuine surprise
1t undoubtedly was which stiffened
her and made her appear as II she die
not credit her senses. / marked hel
round cheeks turn pale as seemed tc
hang a moment in the wind. then tc
my utter establishment she extended
both her lace.mitted hands and glidet
toward me.
"Lysander." abe almost whispered
II am glad you are back in safety
Why have you not been to see me!
You-you may salute my forehead
sir" She bent her head toward me
and I touched her forehead with my
lips. feeling that had taken leave ot
my senses.
"Now. upon my life!" exclaimed
Arnold. with something like a ligh,
laugh. This were but cold wei
come, Mistress Agnes! Faith, fea'
that I am an iceberg that cools the
air, and the blind god must not be
chilly! I will be lenient and take my
leave OF you both. Lieutenant, woult
be pleased to see you II you will cal
again" And the polished villian-fol
he was polished, and showed it on oc
casion-bowed himself from the room
leaving the girl and me looking a
each other.
She was the first to speak. "WhaI
have / done" she exclaimed, drawing
away. II am not sure but am borr
fool to allow a strangers lips to pro
fame my forehead! You have proba
bly, something to say to me-"
Madam, l have much TO say tha
vnncf n upcoi6 - f,,rpod 10Ol
ing toward the window with vague
hope OF yet escaping from it.
"And much that you had better sa!
at once" she continued with spirit
Under what rule OF impertinence d.
YOU pose as my betrothed. sir?"
II have not so posed, madam"
MOP" she returned. "Then what
why"
~ rcsed only ms Lieutenant Mel
ton"
But why-why?" she demanded
in an undertone, stamping her foot i'm
patiently.
"To save my life, madam" ! an
swered recklessly.
"Ah! Then 1t was a God-given In
stinct that moved me" she said in
tense voice. Sir. who are you, ant
what have you done with Lysander
Tell me-, and do not deviate from th'
truth, Do you suppose / risked mysel
through whim?"
Madam" | said, with a sudden
wild hope in my heart, you hav,
snatched me from the mouth Of hell
| will answer any questions you pu
TO me-"
"Truthfully"
81 swear it, madam"
Sir" she said. fixing her blue eye
on mine. "you are a spy-a rebel spy.
i bowed. Madam, am at you
mercy"
She clasped both hands over he
bosom, "Oh, my heart-my heart! !!
she exclaimed. II was right! Ant
YOU have killed Lysander Melton?"
mo, madam"
"Tell me quickly what happened
Sit here" She sank to an embrodere'