Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1917-10-26

the fear that he will be caught and
hanged higher than Haman."
AS he ought to be-" said.
But as he never will be. Sir, II Is
your business to get from here as soon
~ possible. Perhaps can help you.
and give you some information to
carry back to Washington. am go
ing away. and"
"You going away" interrupted.
with an indefinite feeling OF personal
loss.
81 am going to Join my friend. Ma
rian Romayne, ut Governor Robinson
house at Bloomingdale. before they
return to town. ] will communicate
with you. have planned 1t all. Now,
In the light of reason, sir. am trust
ing you with but little warrant"
Madam, my life In in your hands"
And my liberty and reputation In
yours. II would 60 hard with me II
you let 1t be known what have done
and what l really am. And yet I
have faith in you. Walk by my side. "
I obeyed her az child might have
obeyed, a complete subject to this lit
tie woman, whose head came hardly
TO my shoulder. And obedient. too, not
only because Twas more than grateful
to her or that she had the whip-hand
OF me; there was a witchery about
her not easily explained by her sex
alone, for women had hitherto given
me no trouble or heart pangs.
But the girl was different-differ'
emit In everything-from her piled up
hair on which the last OF the soft light
was falling. to the tip Of her small
shoe. Her 1.-the figure was perfect,
her cheeks and chin rounded. her lips
as full and red as the most striking
beauty In the land; but the difference
lay In her lack OF the petty affection
of those days.
Her blue eyes were bright, frank
and fearless-aye, and trusting her
lips were not forever, drawn into a
simpering smile. and her manner no
more mincing than her words. She
was natural; she was the epitome Of
youth; the opening rose: the rush and
warmth of early summer. And Ly-
sander Melton would possess all this
IL he returned. My heart protested.
l suddenly hated him worse than ever.
"You have other Questions?" she
finally said, as II she were too con-
scious of my silent admiration.
Several" answered. among
which Is to ask you IL you know why
Lysander picked me out for death?'
Eyes," she returned. at is the hor-
rid story spoke about. protested to
him by letter and"
II read your letter"
Captain Dressler." she continued
firmly, "Lysander Melton knew you
were in Morristown - how l do not
know. He swindled an officer at cards
and was Obliged to leave the city OF
resign, and he offered to his colonel
to penetrate the American camp" She
hesitated.
THAT would hardly be a motive to
murder me-"
mo; but your fathers will left
here In the hands of his lawyer, was
enough for him."
MY fathers will?" l cried.
yes. He gives the property-the
whole estate-to your aunt In case you
die childless. l have seen the will.
Need you be told more?"
I stopped short in my walk and
faced her in CONSERVATION. THAT
devil meant to murder me that my
aunt might inherit?"
Undoubtedly. Which would mean
that he would have control of the
property and handle the cash, having
his stepmother under his influence.
He did not tell me this-he dared not;
but he limited 1t to his mother. and she
would not 60 quite so far, and asked
me to use my prayers on him. I final
ly got the facts from her. was shock
ed. Hence my protest" She spoke
very quietly.
by Heavens!" / exclaimed. "You
take 1t calmly enough! How. in the
name of God. could you become be-
trothed to such a monster"
1T is a natural question" she re-
tuTueu, IN u tone that buOWeu sue was
not surprised ut 1t. do not misjudge
me, Captain Dressler. am trained to
calmness and poise-M'sieur Ledare
drilled that into me. Where would
you be now had not been calm?
will tell you. sir. that I have been
bound to Lysander Melton since was
girl of fourteen. II was the work OF
his father and mine-and-and / was
an obedient child"
And there, standing In the after
glow, she gave me q sketch Of her
past! of how her father-as patriotic
as my own-had trained her. and how
he had died, leaving his best friend,
John Cassel, as her guardian; how she
was recalled from Paris; how her
guardian had changed his colors, join
ed the Loyal Provincials in the South.
and became q colonel; how, before he
took the field, he placed her In the
care of my aunt. who welcomed the
money she brought; how she hid her
political sentiments under q mask of
loyalty to the king In order not to be
ostracized, and how she had quietly
work "A for tho cauaa