The evening world. Newspaper, August 10, 1916, Page 13

BY RANDALL PARRISH T MY LADY OF DOUBT A romance of the Revolution with hero and heroine brought together in a series of nerve trying adventures threaded on a mystery that deepens with every chapter. erre +O ee & ’ oF PRECROING CHAPTERS he + ert Bete aes i nd 9 tusnber of baglieh eobtion, but o Woking Uewtenant (Claire tm @ Britian nm) emcapee and Ieler han Lawton’ seivet H Aa be sear alloy wy ened wa CHAPTER XV. (Continued ) The Queen’s Rangers. MUST face them and went forward to the head of the stairs, anticipating an easy explanation of my presence within, Already quite a @quad was inside the front door bend- ing over the bodies and staring about curtously “Pine Robbers, eh, Colonel?” sald one contemptucusly hat fellow has cutthroat written all over him ‘t see any #igns of our men here “Queen lying back of the . air,” reported a soldier briefly; “Irian lookin’ mi Tho man addressed as Colonel, a Ranger himeelf from his green uni+ form, looked up quickly and saw me. He called out an order, and three or four men sprang up the stairs, grasp- ing and leading me down. I made no resistance, not realizing I waa in any danger. The Colonel, a tall man with 4 gray mustache and goateo, and dark, ‘ wearching eyes, faced me sternly. “What are you doing here, sir? Com: peak up! What does all this and he swept his hand about sture. , came along ‘about thirty minutes ago,” 1 explained, beginning to appre- clate my situation from the suspicious lances cast at me, and recalling how Gisreputable my appearance must be. found things just as they are now, air, There's been a fight and robbery.” “You saw no one? No British sol- ers?” 1 shook my head, conscious of the flery grip with which I was being held. A couple of the men dragged out the body from behind the stairs, and as the face came into the light, the Colo- nal's eyes saw it. I heard the sharp breath expelled througi@ his lips as he siarsd down into those ghastly fea- tuces. “Good Lord! Mike! What in Grune of heaven does this mean? ‘Was supposed to be with Claire!” . understood in a fi dae swiftly chose @ course of . This gray-headed Colonel was her father, and I would serve him in this emer- gency without thought of my own danger. “Colonel Mortimer,” I sa ing him straight in the eyes. cause of your threats, but because I wish to serve you, Now I know who you are, and I will tell you all I know about this whole affair.” “Was-—was my daughter here?” he interrupted. “Yes, wir. “My God! and Eric?” “Not to my knowledge—there was man called Peter, this fellow, and a black slave or two, They were all I caw. the He I paused an instant to get a grip on my thoughts, I need not tell all, vonfess my identity or mention my personal relations with the daughter, “Lam a soldier, Col, Mortimer, in Max- well's Brigade of Washington's army. What brought me here has nothing to do With the present story, I was in the fight over yonder near Mount Lau- rel night before last when we captured Delavan's forage train”——~ “What burst imethe dragoon offi- cer, “Was Delavan defeated, then? Hadn't Grant joined him?” “Yes to both questions, sir, Dela- van was killed and Grant surrendered, He and his men were paroled and started for Philadelphia last evening from here.” What became of you?” “Oh, L had other business, and never got back along here until just at daylight this morning, Then I found things (his way.” “You don't know What occurred, then ri "No more than you do, The Colonel turned lly away. “selden, place this fellow under guard fm the library here. We will learn vhat his business might be in CHAPTER XVI. At Cross Purposes. 'T could not be considered an wapleasant place of impris- onment, yet It was useless for me to contrive any plan of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat with- in eying me rather malevolently. heard the swift booi-peats of an ap- proaching horse being ridden furl ously up the gravel driveway, At the door he was hastily checked, and & voice spoke peremptorily “Here, you, take the rein!” There’ was a pause, and then the me voice, and | recognized it now as Grant's beyond a doubt. I had barely time to rise to my feet when he entored. His eyes swept across the guard, and then centred the gods!" he exclaimed “IC i. tan't the spy! 1 miss the red jackot, out I know the face, Mister Lieutenaut bortesque.” “Major Lawrence, if you pleas I returned quietly. G “We'll not quarrci over the name. had ccoagion bnew pou under be bearing one ¥ were @ oy. beneath the other leoter of ° wi Thang you wilh equal plese we, under either | * guiding down the al ble pur ing where the Colonel wee foued, then the guard ehveed barrier betwen ue Very weil, two | would rather leave my timer than to him, and adly grateful th : would at Indeed however, when threw open the door, ordering my a nduct me inte the Colo * | Wan taken to t where the furniture had b What rearranged, und found myself ynfronting Morts » the officer ft heard addressed as Beldon, and ant 1» Colonel wheeled sharply about and looked at me sternly, “Weil, air, | 1 © very Lite Lime to on 4 present, but I advise truthful name?” | »o In the Continen- What rank?” the Maryland Line, xwell's Hrigade.”’ “Dressed hurried! jot your uniform “IL have lately been serving with the Jersey militia, sir, as Capt, Vrant can testify,” I answered civ. ily. “AM right, Grant, go on," he aald probably, and’ shortly, "Only I shall pass Judgment an a soldi nd not because of any personal quarrel, What ie it you That this man came into Philadel- phia three days ago, dressed as an ome of British infantry. He to be Lieut. Fortesque of rty ond Foot, with dépe patches from New York. Howe vouched for him and furnished him with @ pass and orderly. He put in the whole day studying the posi tions of our troops, and in the eve- ning was & guest at the Mischianza Andro gave him a@ card, I heard— and danced there with your daugh- ter, I doubted the man from our first meeting, and later picked up certain rumors which convinced m he was @ spy. Some, words pas: iiyves on bi | dancing floor, an &@ consequence I asked meet me below. Bae ang pected, or else he had the heart of a coward, for he failed to appear.” Did you intend to fight him?’ “No; “we planned an arrest. ported to MacHugh what I had hi and ho had Carter close at hand wit #® squad of the guard.” ‘A very pretty trick on mere sus- picion,” ‘commented the Colonel some disgust, “But go on with your story. a h Grant sucked in his breath quickly, ™ evidently surprised at the remark. “Clalre was waiting for me in the dining room, but aft ter had scattered his men to posts I took a turn about the in hope of thus running across the fellow, 1 ivored me, but, damn he jumped into me like a fixht- ing cock, struck me in the face and taunted me into meeting him there and then,” “Good boy! the right stuff, eh, Sel- don “I supposed it all a bluff,” went on Grant, paying no heed to the inter- ruption, “but we went at it behind the pavilion, and I had pricked him twice when the guard came up and separated us, At that the fellow took to his heels and, by Gad! got away--swam the Delaware, while we were beating the west shore, The next I saw of him he was in com- mand of those ragamuffins who at- tacked us out yonder, Now he shows up here looting this house on the trail of ‘F Fagin, I'd hang him offhand if It was me, Mortimer looked across at me ear- nestly, but with an expression of doubt In his eyes, “Lam informed that you have al ready acknowledged belng conc in thls house yesterday.” “T have, sir.” “Did any one know of your pres- ence here?” “I was brought here—a prisoner.” ided surprise, “Pris- 4 “I was captured by three men, dressed as Queen's Rangers, on a road some miles to the west, They made no explanation. although I have some reason to believe I was mis- taken for another, 1 was held in a strong reom in the basement over- night.” “Then you saw your captors by dayliant?” “Two of them, yex—a man called Peter. and an Irish fellow with chin foret rd. What!" and Mortimer started for- ard, “Peter and Mike in uniform! This is beyond belief, Were they alone?" “They were apparently under the orders of a young Lieutenant—the same who had command of Delavan’ advarre guard, I was unable to dis- tinguish the lad's face.” “Delavan's advance guard!" and the Colonel turned toward Grant, “What do you know about this, sir? Who was he?" The Captain hesitated, shifting un- easily on his feet. “II do not know, sir," he explained ally, driv answe., “I merely, A a glimpse of the boy when I first joined the column, II thought £ recognized him, but w: Who did you supp “Your son Erie, sir. CHAPTER XV Again the Cellar-Roem. HE father sank back tn his | | e him to be? chair, breathing heavily. “Erie here, making use of this house and my s vants,” he muttered. ean scarcely believe It true, Was— was he here yesterday morning when you came?” “I found no trace of his presence, oir.” ‘There was @ morat of ailence, broken unexpecte:: In 9 ’ardon me, softly, Seldon sprang forward and offered her @ chair, but she m ke him with a bow and 1 n in S'FUNNY ! NO ANSWER, WONDER WHERE “but much’ of this the identity of Major Lawrenc perhaps gentlemen, mystery. and hOW POR TWO HEED Piet AWAY FROM THE nosy CITY reas. I turned in surprise and saw re standing quietly in the door- she sald explain stablish I can s, her eyes upon her father, Not had she even glanced toward her Grant or me, but L noticed th nig days? al? ° low! “L was not in the house when they came, father; of the stables, We were obliged to ride hard as were turned a “and EB “He arrived, “and must deep flush of her excite going to explain? the strange But, first, Clair soberly, ° chased several miles, and i soon as tt appeared safe. nent. olor on cheek ¢ How ace actions of the How came she to be he: What was sho said her father “how does it happen you are Fagin, and sho replied pe already own lines.” The Colonel's eyes wandered about » little bewilde xroup, and We supposed you in the hands t ‘Red’ my men are out now tracking | ron of » fel- & aqua Peter and I were back fortunately mounted, ‘ted before Captain Grant unhesitatingly, safe within his his doubt and ent were clearly evident, You know this man?” he turned and looked at me for the first time, @ silent plea in her blue eyes, do—he {# Major Lawrence of General volvo Washington’ low, but distinct, known him since '# anny, “TL have the Continental troops were first quartered in Phila- recovered ed slightly, yet as instantly my outward composure, realizing that this strange girl again purposed posure, falsehood, “Indeed; you were doubtless aware then that protecting even at the she me from ex- expense of @ he was within Sir Henry Clinton's lines as a spy ur from it,” hed easily, not glancing toward me, but permit- ting her eyes to rest wildered “Why, tha Did you tel! my, fath face of ¢ a story, Captain?” he “Did I! growled What else idea is per indignantly. upon the be- aptain Grant. Uy absurd. 80 ridiculous could IT say?" “He was within pur lines in British uniform.” Her long | a. depths modestly “Yet there might be other reasons fe st si a laugh, appreciation, “Good enough, by claimed heartily,‘ or ne bh mp" such confessed nes velled masquerade, the blue gentlemen,” “Would it be impos- think you, that he should have e Woe cleared ‘The fellow would be a poor soldier indeed Grant?" The Ranger scowled at him in sul- len response, his fa to fall great a risk as be slapped his knee the mystery in such a to again ineet by he ex- lass has with a word. test—eh, lark with paa- sion Colonel Mortimer's face had ox. pressed many emotions, while she was Speaking, but now it hardened tnto military severity, his hand clinched on the arm of the chair, ’ “Do I understand then that this vy the rustle of officer was there at your request?” (i maven sttn HIRAM SINCE 1 WAS ( fOY ru BET WES A PLAL Mi —— i . oe) Ff a “I think,” hesitating knew he was not unwelcome. ‘And,” his voice breaking slightly, came here also to meet you?" Sertainly not,” her head lifting in- dignantly, “I am your daughter, and am guilty of nothing unworthy our family name, 1 have no shame to confess. Major Lawrence is an officer and a gentleman, the friénd of Wash- Mghtly, ington, and my friend also, At any other ‘time he would be a welcome Buest at our tab hia » If he Mirae >} life to meet with me in Philadelphia it was done openly and honorably in the midst of acquaintances, There has been nothing hidden or clandes- tine. He was brought to Elmhurst a prisoner, bound to his horse, guarded by armed men, In the morning [ learned his identity, and at once had him released, That is all," and she Rave a gesture with her hands, “and I trust, gentiemen, my explanation will be sufficient.’ t The Colonel looked at us allently for what seemed a long while, his fingers fondling the tresses of tho girl's hair, “Major Lawrence, I shall hoid you prisoner of war, referring your case to Sir Henry Clinton, In the mean while you gliall receive every consid- eration possible in accordance with 1am now going to Join Capi. your rank, men in pursuit of Fagin. Grant, you will accompany Mr, Seiden, 1 shall leave you charge of the prisoner until we re- turn, “Come, Grant, we shall b hard to overtake our men They left the house together, and I Watohed them ride past the window, followed by a dozen soldiers. Aa they disappeared Seldon stepped aside to the hall door, “You may send two men ip he Ferguson.” They entered quietly, glancing about with some curiosity, but taking position on either side of me at Bel- lon's command, Claire stood beside the table in silence, her glance out the window. Only as we w 1 aoout to ve to ride leave the room her eyes meet mine, ‘That swift glinpse beneath the dark lashes caused me to leave the room with swiftly beating heart, With Seldon ahead, and the two guards be- hind, | tramped down the stairs Into the basement, and was again locked within the walls of the strong reom ly the light I judged the time son what beyond noon, when the door opened suddenly and Peter appeared bearing @ tray. He was as mysteri~ ously silentvand professional as upon his first visit, not even favoring me with a glance, his mind apparently intent upon hix duties, moving about noiselessly, wiping the tabi and placing his load of dishes thereon with great care that all should be arranged in perfect order. The doo» remaiged ajar during (hese prepara- tons, a Queen's Ranger standing there motionless, leaning on his gun, and eyeing us steadily 1 had picked up almost the last crumb, toying with it In desperation, when a volce spoke apparently from ead of the stairs, The Range a head to answer, and at the t @ paper pellet was crushed into my hand, Instinetively my fin- gers closed over it, and as the guard turned baek again, gruffly ordering us to burry up, Peter was at the op- posite side of the table gathering up the dishes, his bald head ining bril- lantly, his eyes as dull as those of fish. I ned back watehing him, clutehing the paper pellet in the palm of one hand, until he passed out witn the tray, and the door clicked behind UNL NO USE KNOCKIN’ SiR TANT NO ONE T’ HOME, “pehim. Fearful lest I mi “ Weki's THE Ob PLACE | NOW, HEQE'S wikRE WE BG SURPRISE ComES upon, my heart beating wildly In an- ticipation, I lay down inthe bunk with ace to the wall, and unrolled the pel let. It contained but a few wo hastily scribbled, in a lady's delicate handwriting. “Don't despair; if they are away until after dark T will ar- range. Can do nothing before.” There Was no signature, but | needed none to know whose fingers bad held the pencil, The hours of that afternoon dragged thomselves along with exasperating slowness, As the gray of twilight a proached, my ears, rained to th slightest sound, distinguished the changing of sentinels. vainly for any visitor; darkness closed me in, but no one came with food, I pressed my face against the bara striving to look into the night, my only reward the glimpse of « few dis- 8, uddenly, as 1 stood s sounded at @ distance, ndistinguishable, and then unched along the gravelled co & Number of men ward the back of the They were below my range house. of viston, but & moment Jater 1 heard the sounds of scattered shots, and saw the sharp flash of firing, I was atill clinging to the bars, trying to deter- mine what it all meant, whe door was opened, The light of a lan- tern in his hand revealed a green and white uniform, and the deeply seamed face of a man of fifty, “Quick now, yer damned rebel," he eaid hoaraely. “Le up Jam me one, an’ here 's the rope.” “What! I comprehended the plan in a flash, She had discovered a séntry money would buy; to lead the others a long enough to effect my Peter had taken to the wood: gun, Whether he escaped captured, the was the delay would be short, With the knowledge came action. I bore the unresisting Ranger to the floor, hurling down the tray of food he bore in a mass of broken crock- ery, and bound him hand and foot, leaving the fellow lying across the open doorway, He was without arms except his heavy gun, which I left beside him. An instant I paused to ask a question, holding aloft the lan- tern #0 as to see his face, "Now, man, speak quick; you were given some word for me? structions how | was to get Sure; but ye drew those cords Ueht! You are to go upstairs, out the front door and turn to the right; there's a horse in the thicket beyond the — summe house. = Dam loosen that ankle rope, will ye I gave it a twitch, but felt tittle compassion for the fellow, and ran up the ate caving the lantern low, Ik the Way even in tho dark and enced Myte trouble in feeling T met with no interfore and heard Sound, the house seemingly deser Only I opened the front door could t hear distant, irregular firing to. the northeast, Assured that no guard re- mained, I flung myself recklensly over the porch rail onto the smooth turf of the lawn, The dim outlines of the latticed summer house could be din- cerned not thirty feet distant, and [ started toward it unhesitatingly, [ had made half the distance when a horse neighed suddenly to my right, and, startled at the sound, T fell flat, creeping cautiously forward into the shadow of a low bush, 1 had risen to my knees, believing the animal must be the one left there for my use, when | heard the growl of @ voice, @ man's voice, from out the Wu Sek OF AUGuilO H eR ME 1 DONT Werte AND Tal THE 1: Was comin’ 1 WANT TO (eo. eM j ' summer house, An instant { could not locate the und nor distinguish it clearly; then A sentence cut the alr so distinctly that I recognized the speaker, Grant! What was he doing here? Had wo delayed too long? Had Fagin's pur- suers returned? If #0, why was he there in the summer house, and with whom was he conversing? I crouched back listening, afrald to move. “[ saw the gleam of your white skirt as I rounded the house,” he ex- claimed. “By Gad, I thought the horse was going to bolt with me. Fine bit of luck this, finding you out here alone. ‘hi @oilng om out yon- Lut £ watted 45) “There was an attack on the horse mwuard and Mr. Seldon ts in pursuit. But how does It happen you have re- turned alone?” “T was sent out with a detachment to ride down the Lewiston Road. morely loft my se nt in command and turned my horac's head this way, T can be back by morning, and I Wanted to ste you “To see me, Capt. Grant! You dis- obeyed my father's ordere to ride back and see me? I hardly ap- preciate the honor.” “Oh, I suppose not.” hia tone grown, suddenly bitter, “But Iam hore just the same, and propose carrying out my intentfn. do, you think T am made of—wood? You treat me as though T posseased no feelings to be hurt, ee he Claire, don't draw away from me like that, What has got into you lately? You have led me a merry chase all winter in Phila- delphia, but now you have even dared to flaunt me to my face, id in the presence of your father, Do you su pose Iam the kind to atand for tha girl?’ Who has In it that rascally rebel? No; you atay where you are and answer me, That Is what I came back alone for, to find out.” She was upon her feet, and T could even see her hand clasping a lattice of the summer house, “Why do you ask this? What right have you? The: never a prom- between uf derstanding haa existed fi never denied until now,” he protested hotly, ‘You knew 1 loved you; I've fought a dozen men = have challenged who has dared addr ame, Did you think such swash-buckling was go- tng to win my heart? Any girl pos- sessing self-reap would revolt at such methods, Whatever affection I may have felt for you as a boy has been Oriven from me by these ac- tions, You wanted a slave, a ser- vant, not a companion, and it t# not in Mortimer blood to yield to every whim, to every crack of the whip I never loved you, never confessed [ did. T tried to be obedient, endeay- ored to like you to please my father, but this past winter has so thor- oughly revealed your real character that [ will pretend no longer.” “My charact We have known each other from childhood. 1 know well enough what has made the dif- ference in you. “Indeed!” “You, indeed; Continental spy fellow against me from the first put up with it no longer, T came back here to-night desperate, pre- pared to resort to any measure, I meant to give you a chance, and, by heaven! T have, Do you think T am the sort of man you can play with? If I can have you only by force then it's that damned You've helped that Vii NUXT By BEGINS IN NE uy ges, te be that Heway! I ool seus oo Oh, do Bulky, ere you! t the saw Theres a ne at romroade pivelling know faced rebes all right on LiL ewe hi but he'll & heart out me toomight bot lee You area ‘and by t come to your 4 wo quietly, oF there*was & moment’ then her white robed @gure epreni forth Into the startient ft eaw him grasp her, tearing the shoulder of her dress with the flerce rip of thie fingers | wee aiready upon my fe crouching beni epa to spring ir face ou coward! You @eurt® ‘old your temper, Mistress,” with © enarting laugh, “I know how to conquer you ‘That moment I reached him, CHAPTER Xvill. 1 Uncever Capt. Grant. N apite of the fact that he wan armed, the advantage 7, was all with ma Mie grip on the girl dragged her to the ground with him, but she rolled aside as we grappled like two wild beasts, my fingers at hie throat. I knew the strength of the man, but my firat blow had sent his Orain reeling, while the surprise of my unexpected assault fave ce the grip sought, He to one knee, wrenching his but went down a ed as we clung to Vv for mastery, He fought like a fend, gouging and snap. ing to make me break my hold, Dat only clung the closer, twisting one hand free and driving my fist into his At last 1 gripped bis pistol, forth, 24 struck with the butt. He sank@back, limp and breathless, and I rose to my knees looking down into the upturned face, Almost at the moment her hand my shoulder, Bho was close be: me, looking up into my face, her eyes filled with © every gentleman fety, Grant lay motionless upon the grass, & mere darker shadow, ‘o linger there, however strong the temptation, was to expose her to evi greater peril, Already Seldon’s men must be returning toward the house, She. caught my arm, urging me toward the thicket where the horee was concealed; then s with a new thought, “T and * she whispered "There are British patrols between here and the Delaware. Quick, acd I will have your horse untied,” I did as directed, feeling the value of the suggestion, and, a moment later, to all appearances an officer of Queen's Rangers, slipped through the thicket of trees and took the reins from her handa, Her eyes flashed upat me andlioat ( all restraint in thelr swift challengy. "Tam going to apenk—Jjust a sore, th yet I muat give It utterance before Tide out into the dark, away from you. Llove you, It mal 0 difter- ence to me where you! mpathios maybe in thie struggle, you have won my heart, Look up, dear, and Ieten, Tam going back to the camp, bask to the campaign, I know not what the night, what the morrow may bring, Hut i know forever I love you, an that if Live I | surely come back, Will you be glad? Will you promise welcome?” ot could feel her tremble, yet there was no shrinking in her face, no arm, Thore are but three words to speak; whisper them, dear, and I go. hree words!" Such easy words; they are trem- bling on your lips now--I love you: “Will you go, then? At once?" “I pledge my word.” She drew a deep breath, her eyes shadowed, but IT could hear the swift pulsing of her heart. “Then-—then I will-I love you.” With the words T kissed her, prese- ing my lips to hers; an Instant they clung, and I felt the pressure of her arm, the hot blood rioting through my 18, Nweetheart,”" I whispered, “sweet he art 1 turned fully realizing the danger, the neces- without another word, sity of action, Her hand touched mine as I grasped the rein. “some day,” she sald softly, “you may understand and forgive me.” “L understand now more than you think,” 1 returned swift ‘and 1am coming back to learn al Mistress Claire still clung to my hand, but only to whisper a sentence of instruction "Go straight north, reach the hedge; fol Major, until you w the shadow of that beyond tho orchard, and thea take the road running westward. Don't mount until you reach there= wood i jood-bye, you will not forget me?” 1-1 am afrald not, but—but you must go!” { lett her standing there, am of white against the ubbery, motion Phere is no incl a faint dark ny Jent of that night's ride which [ rec distinetly, [me ly pushed on vuily through the darkness, leaving my mougt to choose course, dent we were 1 toward the river. T was aut. ficiently acquainted with the valley of the Delaware, when daylight came, to decide upon tho rest ford It was daylight when I drew up on the bluff summit to gaze down into the river valley, My vantage of height gave me a wide vista, embrac- ing the silvery stream, and a long atreteh of meadow land, dotted with farmhouses, and Intersected by roads, In the middle distance small villages faced each other across the stream and toward these mi of the road converged—proof of the existence of a ford, 1 could not be mistaken as WEEK'S COMPLETE SAND-LOCKED © HOLMAN DAY 1 frearure-hunting story. Three million dollare in gold hare was the prine, buried under only a little sand and water; but diving for brought to ite seekers warthing adventurca that will thrill the reader. XT MONDAY'S EVENING WORLD bere a rh put i deniy reali led NOVEL me od " eetee the maddie por eh ded paper caine | it forth curwadiy. caught the sumnature at of @ brief pote, i stared at it ip surprise, Fagin! How came to be writieg to Capt Grant? pretended to be o Tory, to be t -. worlously considered ~—why, possibly it wae true, the iines almost at @ glance, comprehending at Aret, and then the base villainy Fe had ~ cere 80 communteate with Feel Me 2 ntrived to get Col, Mortimer to main and rode alone to the rendesvous at ‘There, doubtless, he received Fagin's report, with papers, whatever they were, and then returned to Elmburst, determined to force hie will with the girl What had happened then I knew well, for I had been part of it. What a pity Mt waa I had failed to kill the fellow, inatead of leaving him unconscious, |. The papers! Perhaps they wore ia the coat aiso. Surely Grant had no time to change or destroy th as he must have ridden directly to Him. buret. T aeurched the pocketa of the garment hastily, finding a note cr Wo, his orders to’ escort. Dglavan, email packot tied secufely by 1 tet no hesitancy in open- ing thie, and ascortaining ‘ita con- tents, The limes I read hastily seemed to blur before my eyes; I bare! pur. by little I grasped the meaning of it all, and thea my mind leaped to recognition of Grant's pur- . ‘hey were notes of invtriction, rief orders, suggestions, temorand, Such as might be issued to a scoret agent greatly trusted. These were addressed simply “Mortimer,” many pengeee, others marked tials, but I inetantiy recognised the hand- writing of Washington, Hamilton st ee FA hehe question this e erty of Eric e Umer, but why Rad the boy preserved these. private instructions, covering months of operationa, I should judge, cence pogrnaly, one was dated? And ‘used them to be of suc! to, Captain Grant? igen. @ answer came in a flash of sua- plolon—the Colonel. “He could. be threatened with them,- bfacikmatied, disgraced before Hir Henry Clinton, driven from h addressed m covered at Elmhurst, and wei = ficient to convict of treason, te wea @ fiendish plot, well conceived, and rant was fully capable of carrying it out to the end. J could realise what ¢ possession of these papers meaat to him—military advancement, a éis- tribution of the Mortimer estate tn which he would doubtless share, and a fresh hold on Claire whereby he sould terrify the girl into acceptin him, I stood there In uncertainty, turn- ing these papers over and over in my hands, striving to rmine my dut The best service I could ler wi tu destroy these notes, and then seek out Eric Mortimer, in Lee's <P tell him the whole story, that any one could do now was to warn the Mortimers againat Grant, to let them know his treachery, and this gould be best accomplished through Arie. With flint and steel I butit a emall firs of leaves in a cleft beside the road, and fed to the farses one by one the papers from packet. When the last paper had been re- duced to ashes, I stamped out the embeve at fie, under my boot heel, and, wi! ighter heart, je, down the hill toward the ford. ro CHAPTER XIX. Between Love and Duty. T was already growing dark when I rode into our lines at Valley Forge, A brief Interview with Co}, Hamil- ton revealed his apprecta- tion of my work, and that my bastily made notes of the Philadelphia de- fenses had been received twenty-four hours earlier, Busy days and nights of fatigue followed, Washington, watching like & hawk every movement of Sir Henry Claton in Philadelphia, convinced by every report ree that he was about to evacuate the city, bent all his enerkies toward placing his little / and @ cord. a ndition for bat Au wus nt, commotion, appar- ently even amid that turmo’ ng battle, Ham~ ilton granted me two days’ leave, T rode into Lee's headquarters, and asked his chief-of-staft for Eric’ Mor- timer. “L should be very gad to oblige you, Major Lawrence,” be replied gravely, “but unfortunately I have no present knowledge of the young man ie “But he was attached to General Lee's staft “Only in a way-—he was useful to ua) f’s a scout because of bis intimate — knowledge of the Jerseya. His home, 1 understand, wae near Mount: Holly,’ “And you have heard nothing from ~ young Mortimer since?” “Not a word." It was with heavy heart T'tode the camp of my regiméht, and down on the bare ground, with pillowed upon the saddle, knowin, id sound in @ few, hours, ere (To Be Continues © ae