Charlevoix county herald., 1917-11-16

he will rage n Mrs. Melton 10 not
there at the time set His carriage II
at the door. saw II as drove In"
Il am aware OF II. Cannot we de-
wise some way? Time Is precious"
II might 60 with Mrs. Melton" sug-
gested the girl.
But you could not throttle her. She
would blurt out what Lysander has
told her. The fat would be In flames
at once. for she is probably already
convinced that you are rebel at
heart"
The girls face was white. "Oh
my .Godi" she exclaimed. "Will this
strain never end? II had but her
figure l would dress and act her part.
| could get pass that way"
II was fortunate suggestion.
though absurd so far as Agnes was
concerned. l mean, it was fortunate,
because 1t put into my head desper'
ate idea. There was not more than
fifteen minutes to lose. ! spran8
10 the girls side and whispered fierce
ly, as II afraid the dead OF deaf would
hear me:
Il have It! / will take the part OF
my aunt. Heaven be thanked for her
lack of grace! She Is as large as /,
and has a mans ffgure-a mans face
and voice! Clinton has seen her but
once-only long enough to know her
peculiar style. BY the gods OF war.
I'll try It! ] must! Bring me her skirt
and hat and will get into them! then
! will lock her in the library and with
you go to Clinton. II is our last-ouE
only chance!"
The girls blue eyes opened wide as
the scheme dawned on her. but she
did not denounce II as a crazy one.
And he?" she asked, pointing to the
man on the bed.
IN lock him in his own closetf
Your chariot is here?"
Eyes; cane IN it,
Tell Peter TO drive to headquarters
and await you there. We may want 1t
later"
/ spoke in a fierce hurry. but my
brains were clear. My insane scheme
the only possible solution to our diff
Guilty.
think Agnes began to see it, also;
but she appeared too astonished to
speak. And then ] did thing for
which l have no excuse save one. but
was young and daring then! bent
and, gathering her in my arms. kiss
e, her on the iIouth. 60" said as ]
loosened her.
She had neither struggled nor pro-
tested. but her face was like the pink
of summer sunset as she looked at
me as If she would probe my soul;
then, without a word, she turned and
ran from the room.
She had not gotten down the stairs
ere had pulled Melton from the bed
and dragged him into his closet, lock-
ing the door Of it. He was then be-
ginning to recover, and moaned feebly.
! took of my coat to prepare for the
very widest act Of my life; but
thought the girl would never return.
she was SO long gone. ! use the word
act in its histronic sense. had rath-
er distinguished myself as an amateur
in days gone by, and as / had never
thought 10 put my talents as mimic
to such high test as was now de-
mandedl
When Agnes returned with her arms
full OF effects from my aunt's ward
~ n Co. he ~ 4. hut
l saw that here were not all the things
necessary. There was a long. black
gown OF some stuff and bonnet
which would easily pass muster and
help hide my face, but Mrs. Melton's
peculiar marks were too widely known
to be neglected. turned to the girl.
whose manner gave no hint Of the
little passage between us. did yeu
tell Peter to go to headquarters?" !
asked.
"Yes-and he has gone"
'Is Mrs. Melton still In the libraryf"
Yes. She was sitting by the win
dow, looking like Patience on mon
ument, as passed the door,"
Remain here while ! interview her.
would not have you identified with
what I am about to do" And with
that left the room. ran down the hall,
and entered the library.
My aunt was sitting stifYly upright,
her mitted hands folded. her position
indicating tense expectancy. When
she saw me enter hurriedly and coat.
less, she showed her establishment In
the way she threw up her chin. con.
fess had no liking for my business.
but war Is war.
Madam" said ], bawling into the
trumpet she aimed at me. II see that
your son has returned. He has con-
Guided that he will not go with you to
see Sir Henry Clinton"
GLORY to Gideon!" she exclaimed
sharply. AN he leavin' me settin'
here as If"
Mrs. Melton" interrupted. driv-
ing my words together In an effort
to get done with her, did It never
occur to you that might not be what
I appear to be? Did 1t ever occur to
you that your step-nephew might not