The evening world. Newspaper, August 12, 1916, Page 9

ind the rr, me ald A te . : F ipgi r-?* tft era heomier te her feces tomes hme (irae & Lawrie meanee wo find the CHAPTER XXIV. OMI on, Mortimer, and we'll woon find out what is 1 turned to the pris = yur gang? wll find out fer yersel Mister,” ho answered nullenly, “an! maybe damn quick to “They are in the grape arbor to the uth of the house in Eric. ‘That was where Farin id them to lie quiet and wait orders “Then wo Will explore along the North side, keeping the fence between us. I've got a handful of men over there in the orchard. If you are both ready we'll go.” We camo in back of the summer house and had just left the road when three horsemen galloped pant straignt up toward the front door, which stood wide open. The black shadow of a man appeared in the glow of light, shading his eyes as he looked out into the darkness 6 that you, Culver es," sullenty, the speaker swing- Ing down from the saddle, He dragged the centre tigure rough ly from his horse and busted him up the st “The ol’ fool thinks we're goin’ to Kill him, I reckon; been prayin’ for am hour past, Bill got so mad he choked him twice, but it didn’t do no Here, take him along in, will yer, and let us hustle some grub.” The man addressed grabved the limp figure tar from gently and hustled him through the door, As the others disappeared, leading the three horses, Mortimer grasped my sleove, “That's Preacher Jenks,” he whis- rom down @t the Cross What can Fagin want of f Fagin is Grant's tool, and Grant is here,” I an. ed soberly, “Ll an ready to make a guess at what ts U) The recolwction of the Captain's threat at the summer house instantly recurred to memory, “Here, you lads, skulk down into these bushes, while [ try that balcony. ‘That is the library, isn't it, Erie? I thought 6 ‘ve been under guard there twice, The window shows no light, but some one is in the room beyond, Give me a leg up, Tom, and stand close so you can hear if I’ speak.” It was not high from the ground, but I could not grip the top of the rail without help. With ‘Tom's assist~ ance I went over lightly enough and without noise. ‘The window was the ie which had been broken dur- jug the tirst assault on the house, and never repaired, I found ample yoom for crawling through. The door into the hall stood partly ajar, a little light streaming through the crack, 8o | experienced no difficulty in moving shout fre A glance told me the apartment was unoccupied, although 1 heard the murmur of distant voices earnestly conversing. © Where the fellow was who had been ut door 1 could not deter: ed somehow, wall for the hadow, and at the fr mine, He had disappes and [ slipped along the necessary ten feet like crept in beneath the shelter of the stulrcase. From here I could look into the room opposite, although enly a portion of the space was ré vealed There was no cloth on the table, and but a fow dishes, but I counted a half-dozen bottles, mostly empty, and numerous glasses. Grant was at one end, his uniform bored and stained, hut his eyes alone betraying intoxiva- tion. Beside him was a tall, sloop- shouldered man, with matted beard, wearing the cout of a British Grena- dier, but with all insignia of rank ripped from it. He had @ mean mouth, and yellow, fang-like teeth wore displayed whenever he spoke. Beyond this fellow, and only hal secn from where I crouched, was a hoavy-set individual, his face wmost purpie, with a thatch of uncombed red hair, He wore the cocke hut of & dragaon, pushed to the buck of his head, his feet were encased in long vairy boots, crossed on the table, Ipe, the stem «ripped firmly between bis teeth, Who the bearded man 10 Thad no means of knowing, ates eet wan, without doubt, Fagin. I stared at him, fascinated, Fecalling the stories of his fiendish truelty, my heart thumping violently, While my fingers gripped the butt of my pistol. Then, without warning, w Maan stepped out of the darkened par- for, passed within three feet of my hiding place, and stood within the fining room door. ‘The three within fooked at him, and Fagin roared out: “what is it now? Heard from Culvert CHAPTER XXV. COULD only eee the fellow's back, with hair hanging low over the collar, but his voice was clear. “Got here five minutes ago. The preacher ts locked In the parlor.” 4 ! Good! Now we can play gies eh, Captain? Or," turn. ut suspiciously and staring at Steer, who eat with eyes shaded MY LADY OF DOUBT BY RANDALL PARRISH nee 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, eit The by one hand, “are you @eakening & the t rawe heat choice and whe oF eon wow te think we should and prove to her ‘ ’ © emptied the glace in bis band eiving rance to hn oath as he re pisced Hop the table Yer already in bad en out buntin more trowiie ' ‘ t the gitt belie ie posbinn ter Fve yer purpore rt fr oecheme. I bring preacher Tom,” 1 whispe fly, “find th nye and bring m in here through that broken window, They " ' rebard to the right, and there are no guards in front, Move tively, but be quiet 1 caught @ glimpse of Jonke's face as Will Jerked him forward ‘The man was eray With terror, bis parchment-ihe skin seamed wrted, He was at . wearing a fapping about his 1 fairly held him up in the dos y, and both Fagin and Jones laughed at the pitiful sight, ¢ former ending hiv roar with an out burst of profanit “Now, seo her ou canting olf hypocrite, Fim Red Fagin, an’ Dg You know what that meana, I'm pisen an’ L don't like your style, Now you're goin’ to do just what FE tell you, or the boys will have a bangin’ be wi ravine. Speak up, an’ tell mi you propose do. Jenks wet his dry ips with his tongue, clinging to the sides of the door with both hands ‘ What what te {t you wish of me? his uncertain gaze wandering over the three faces but coming back to to marry this ofeer here lady at young lady? or—Claire ts the name, | nt? Yes, Clatre; you know her, 1 reckon,” 1 could hear the unfortuna breathe in the silence, but eyes threatened, “Ia-is aho here?” he faltered help- ‘Does she desire the—the man .” broke in Fagin blunt- my affair, an’ the fewer questions you ask the better, If we Want some fun, what the hell have you got to do with ft, you snivelling spoil-sport! I haven't asked either of them about It. I just decided it wi time they got married, Stand up, man, and let go that door.” He drew @ derringer from his belt and flung it onto the table, “There's my author- ity—that an’ fifty hell-hounds outside wondering why I don’t loot the house an’ be done. Do you want to be turned over to them? If you don't, then speak up, Wl you tle them or not?" Jenks'’s eves wandered toward Jones, who stared blankly hack at him, yel- low fangs showinn beneath his beard, “Why-—-of course—yes," he faltered weakly, “I--suppose TI mus “Dont seem much chance to get out, does there. parson? Well, I reckon it won't burt vcur conscience ularly. Bint Where's BIN” ‘ou sent him to guard the front explained sone hat's 5 I die. You'll do just stairs an’ bring the own, She's with the old man, Culberson is guerding the doc an’ Hotter not say what sho's wanted for: Just tell her Capt. Grant wishes to k to her a moment.” nes straightened up, and pushed past the preacher, the stairs creak- ing under his weight as he went up over my head. Grant arcse and stood looking out the windew Into the glow of the sunshine, and Jenks dropped into the nearest chatr, still staring across the table at Fagin, For the first time T seemed to entirely grasp the situation. TI got to my feet, yet dared not move so much aya step, for Fagin was facing thy hallway, It apparently would be beiter to wait until after the girl cAme downstairs, until those in the house were to- gether, before we struck. I wanted to kr what she would say, how whe v what vuld act, when she understoud was proposed, The time al- lowed mo for deetsion was short, as it seemed searce'y a minute before 1 heard thelr footstens above. CHAPTER XXVI. |AGIN heard them coming and tovk his boots from the } table, and sat up straight H} in his chair; the preacher pushed hig back until half concealed behind the door; Grant never looked around, Jones came into view first, and behind hin walked Claire, her cheeks flushed, her head held bigh. At the door sie paused, refusing to f enter, her eyes calmly surveying the cecupants. “You sent for me, sir,” she said coldly. "May 1 ask for what pur- Vagin's cool Insolence unable to wit nd unmoved beauty and ber calmness of meanor, Apparently he had never met her before, for, with face redder than ever, he got to his feet, half bowing, and stammering slightly, iy name is Fagin, Mistress," he said, striving to retain his accus- tomed roughness, "I reckon you have heard of ms, “I have,” proudly, her eyes meeting his, “and, therefore, wonder what your purpose inay be in ordering me here, I wish to return to my father who requires iny services." The guerilla jaughed, now angered by her manner. “Well, I thought I'd tell you, who I was so you wouldn't try any Digh- and-mighty business,” he said doarses ly, and eyeing her fiercely, "That ain't the sort c' thing that goes with an’ yer ain't the first one I've taken down 4 peg or two, However, T don't mean you no harm, only you'd better behave yourself, Yer know that man over there, don't yer?” He indicated with a nod of the head, and Claire glanced in that d ection, but without speaking. Well, can't you answer?" ig what you mean.” “twas |Pay Day | | Evening World Daily Magacine, Saturday, August 12, 1916 + “Fr THERE & OTH \ BEATING THe WIFE TO IT, WHEN You COLLECT ) YOUR SALARY eee onereteaneateee MLL JUST HIDE IT IN THIS OL’ COAT Yer ought ter know him—yer en- gaged him, ain't yer?” ‘Certainly not,” ingignantly. Grant turned about, his face twitch- in for tt. helpless.” She never looked at him swered, her trated on F said grimly his is not exclaimed swiftly. ‘agin, enjoyment 8 sure right, young lad: my fault, Clair “Don't he blame me I am also a prisoner, and or ane attention concen= who was grinning tre he is only “Phe Captain obeyin'’ orders ter save his own neck. There's no me tell yer. merciless © lost utween us, let But we're not so blame after we've Kot @ house worth © al, an’, L re ut all thar ts run’ away. No kon, the re goin’ to have some fun, an’ leave two happy hearts behind. Um a-goin’ ter marry yer off ibefore leavin’ this hous, I reckon yer ain't intendin’ to make no fuss about it, are yer? She partly turn 1 Jenks, nix ehe side and “Marry Capt. claimed, horrified, ; her hands grasped of the door for support 1, and as sho recog- the color deserted her the Grant! I? she “No, never!” She swept past him, around the end of the table and confronted G who drew back a step, scowling a@ woman means? N: answering; despicable scheme, ing as a prisoner of this creature! You ure his puppet, io this is your way, Is it, to win you cannot gain by there 1% no need of your fair understand whole d- the You masqui I've known it for months. I learned the truth from Eric, und from that moment 1 de- spised you, While I believed you an honorable soldier I was able to treat you with outward respect, but no jonger- You ttireatened me with « forced marriage once before, and failed. Now you endeavor to succeed with the help of thix outlaw. But you never shall! No, do not speak! do not hold out your hands to me! You are not # prisoner, he cerned in These men are @ ut your instigation; you are con. their rather die than have you touch m infamy. I wou She turned her back upon him, her face wiilte, her eyes blazing, but Fagin stood between her and the entrance, grinning savagely “Let me pass, sir; this is my father's house.” tewhile Tan here, Mistress,” he snarled, without moying. "The old man isn’t ridin’ after ma with a squadron of happens to be m and yer's to obe obey! Those cavilry to-day. This turn to give orde Do yer hear—yer'li weren't pretty words er spoke to Grant, but they don't urt me none You damned little spitfire, I'd marry yer myself if I could, just to break yer spirit. Aw Lt is, T'll show yer yer master fer onow So it's the spy yer want, is She stared at him without a word, a depth level eye of hatred but no fear in her “To whom do you refer?” she asked, her passnge blocked, “The Continental who's pat Grant out of the running.” “I presume you mean Major Law- renee, although no one has authority "Oh, Ind ity in’ plenty, mistress, name with him," ! TN show yer author- Come, now, ['m done discussing this matter. As long as yer Come move, English, wasn't I? him along. fathor isn't able ter at tend ter this affair act in his place marriage, by God, an’ recognize Captain Grant, if that Step out here, Jenks, a I am a-goin' ter We'll have a loyalist ® it now. get busy. rou coyote—Jones, hustle jow, Captain, there's a HEY! FoR THE Love OF MIKE, WHERE'S J THAT OL COAT | HAD IN THE good place ter stand, in between those windows. Mistress Claire"—— He reached forth one great hand, the fingers gripping her sleeve, but she wrenched away, the cloth tearing us sho sprang back Her face was white, her lips set, her eyes blazing, but Fagin, assured of her helplessness, laughed and stepped forward. From what hidden cone ment it came I know not was the flash of a polis! sharp report, the whirl of smoke and the brute went backward over a chair, crasling to the floor, With bands flung high over his head. I was aware of the swift rush of a body past me, of steps going up the stairs, and then, with a yell, my men poured out from the library into the hall CHAPTFR XXVII. CARCELY comprehending i that Claire had eseaped trom the vm, L was swept forward by the onrush of bodt ‘The preacher was knocked headlong beneath the table, but I lay motionless underfoot, Jones and Grant turned to a door at the right and I leaped after U mn. One of the two fired and the ball struck my shoulder, the impact throwing me back against one of my men, An instant 1 felt sick and dizzy, yet realized | we not seriously hurt, and managed to stag- wer tomy fe The door was closed and locked, and, although my head reeled, L began to think clearly. “The other way, lads!” 1 erted, “Quick, into the hall!" We tumbled out through the nar- row entrance, and 1 found myselt next to Eric. But we were too late to head off the fugitives, or prevent their achieving their purpose. In through the reaf door, contused as t What had oceurred, yet. shout fioveely, poured Fagin's woly Ing trouble. Fire! you damned fools fre!" roared Jones, and there was crash. ng of guns, the densy snuke swith thy between us, A drag ny right went sprawling: he hind gave vent to a yell as he plunged head first down the base. Inent stairs, ‘There ways’ the sound of splintering wood, of breaking Blass. I felt the blood in my veins leap to the fever of it We were upon the fellows in a rsh, firing in their very faces 4 leaping madly at them. The little room beyond the walls, barely space for a half dozen to flight in, shoulder to shoulder, but t 6: hind, eager to strike also, presse us 80 recklessly that we hurled them back, To me it was all confusion. uproar, deadly fighting. I could think of nothing to rieht or left, only of the struggling devils in my front ==, forms, came and vanished in the swirl of smoke, brown Kun baur- rels whirled before me, flashes of fire burned my eyes, strange feature bearded, malignant, glared st Our mad onrush swept them back, helpless, demoralized. 1 stumbled over bodies, slipped in pools of blood, yet kept my feet. very muscle ached; T was cut and pounded. yet drove into the mass, shouting to those behind: “Come on, lada! driving them!" A yard, two yards, three--beyond the door where the men had escaped we won our way. Then they sould ko no further, Blockedy tunable to retreat, wedged helplessly against the far end of the hall, they turned like cornered rats, I could ae@ nothing of Jones, but I heard him raging like @ fend, Come on! We're TRAMP FINE MINUTES AGO SAS + By Jack Callahan —————— LOS Lek ONL OF OvR | GAVE IT TOA WHICH WAY DID HE GO? “Now, you curs, now!” he stormed. “You cowardly acum—perhape you'll fight when you can’t run! at are you afraid of? ‘There's only a hand~ ful, you can chew ‘em up, if you will!’ Push ‘em back, there! Push tem back!" With @ yell of rage, those crushed against the wall hurtled forward, driving the others; men were lifted and hurled at us; others gripped our feet; by sheer foree of numb they swept us backward. It was hand to hand, neither side bavin Ume to reload their weapons, The smoke rose, permitting a view of the shambles cre was a tangle of arms, @ jumble of faces. They were maddened beasts, desperate, revenge- ful. Hands clutched at us, gun butte were thrust into our faces, the crush too densa to permit of their being swung overhead. My Dragoons had their sabres out, and stood to it like men, the steel blades dripping as they tasted blood. But killing ono only brought a yo man to tha front One does ny » much as feel in such a jumble. Yet I knew wo were worsted, outnumbered. ‘They cume at us like a battering ram. T saw the sergeant shot throukh the forehe I saw Eric go down beneath a crush- ing stroke, and roll under my feet. 1 stepp n bodies, Hghting for my own life as L ney fought before. “To the fs Tcried, "*V T cannot dexe ft, but we did T held the rear death with our rs, men! ‘The stairs e can hold them there!” be now how we made I only know Tom and sweeping circles of vhirling gun barrels, falling back st step as we fought Yet fight a8 we uld there was no holding them, \Ve were forced to give way. Oaths, | yells, cries of sudden fear, made a perfect babel, I could not understand, could not grasp the Meaning of the sudden pante. Who were those men surging in through the front do pouring out throug: the library? ‘Then @ voice roared out "Bedad. hey're Fagin's hell hounds, ter hell wid ‘em! Where had [heard the vo: fore? 1 sank down, too stand, my herd hanging edge of the st Some hand drew me buck, but | had no strength left. Only Leould think=-and the truth came to me, Camden militia! Cam don militia! By all the gods, Farrel! was there! s the voice of the Irish minute man heard the night we ptured Delavon's raiders, Then I closed my eses, and forgot, CHAPTER XXVIIL. WAS unconscious, yet not for long, The first touch of water served to revive me and 1 became dimly aware that an arm sup ported my head, although everything wus Indistinet before my eyes, “More water, Mike," sald @ votce close at hand. "Yes, that will do. Where is Farreti? Oh, Dan, this is Major Lawre “One of the Dragoons said he was in command. Hurt badly? “No, I think not; but utterly hausted, and weak from loss of ble They put up & kame fight” “Only three on their feet when we got in. Hullo, Lawrence, geting back to the world, lad "Yos,"" T managed to answer, feel- ing strength enough to lift myself, and vaguely noticing his feature: thie you, Farrell?” “Ls certainly ia,” oheerfully, “Duval +4 * HE Dow ery ) VP TLL GO IN AND ) 6 \ Serato AT N BUT- | TOOK THE MONEY OUT FIRST! | explanation of her vanishing. has his arm about you, and t = den boys are herding those’ daria down below. (Xow had some trucas om the way thin, 4 meat Note 8 look, How many rubbed my head, endeavoring to recollect, staring down into the Rall, it wae aed hae dead and wounde » and at the foot of the : vl of Ab edly etairs was “Twelve, altogether,” I replied fin- oly ‘They—they were too many for “Three to one, or more, I should Judge. We fot here just in time. I was Md now, looking Into their faces, slowly grasping the situation. “Yeo,” I said, fesling the necessity of knowing. “How did it happen? What brought.you? Washington—" ‘All natural enough. Clinton got away night before last with what was left of his army. Left fires burning, and made a forced march Sandy Hook. Lett ave his troops. Wash- realising the uselessness of holding them longer, sent most of his militia home. About six miles out there on the pike road a half-crazy preacher named Jenks came up with us. was too badly frightened to tell @ straight story, but we got out of him that there was a fight on here, and came over as fast as our horses would travel His eyes swept the ball. “Five minutes later would have been too late The name of Jenks recalled to my mind instantly. In spite of Duval I aripped the broken rail and gained my feet, swaying alightly but able to wtand. My hand still grasped tha twisted rifle barrel, which J used as a cane, “But, Farrell, the girl! Do you know anything about the girl?” “What girl? Do you mean Claire Mortimer? Is she here?” “Yeu, her father is lying helplessly wounded upstaira, and she must be vith him. Erte fs somewhere in the ier dead or wounded. I saw just aa we retreated to the hin stairs There was a wounded Dragoon Ie ing against the wall, and half-way down the hall lay another body, face down Without doubt thie was the guard Fogin had stationed there. Duval paused to help the wounded man, but Farrell and tm on across the dead guard to the open door beyond, Col. Mortimer, unab 1o move, Was propped Up on hia pil low, one band grasping a pistol, Wits shaking arm he levelled it at u Who are you? Quick, now!" he quavered T've shot one, and I'm ‘ood for more.” *You know ma, Colonel,” and Par. rell stepped inside, "Tam ‘Bull? Farre this ts Major Lawn " He looked at us with dull eyes, t hand falling weakly Farrell~Farrell—surely, the black smith, What Lawrence? The—-the officer Claire knows Yes; he's a rough-looking ob. admit, but there has been a n below, alr, in which he share, We've just cleaned Fugin's gang, We ca tell the od news to daughter. ‘The Colonel's head sank back upon the muased pillow. "My daughter—Claire—ahe is not ‘ot here!" I cried, aroused by the admission, “Did she not return to you?" “No; they came for her to down ataira—a tall man with « black beard, and two others, They took her away a ago, and I have esen nothing ‘of her having been there. j ened, donperate—ao fur an she knew, Oy j alone againat NEXT WEEK'S COMPLETE NOVEL SAND-LOCKED By HOLMAN DAY 1 freasure- hunting story. “Lheee million dollare in gold hare was the priae, buried under only a little sand and water; but diving for it brought to seckera wlartling adventures that will thrill the reader BEGINS IN NEXT MONDAYS EVENING WORLD f her he # nual or breath awh ° t eine ' in ot Mejor, free ‘ . * he ‘ t gue A “ on vat the f ‘ ad bet be i was 6 «the ' y wful dark, and-and BO ' . iw ant” 1 while. ' eoher to 1 wae iW noe remember, But it ‘ | would have how lone #0 miyaeit He was forcing her it jou find « way to nartiage me? t er thought until it wee inte marriage! WIth whom’? all over that 1} had shut myself in Capt Grant t wered passion. here t ~ | was frightens ' ately, It was a just ran and hid Oh, you cannot n ' 1 ve what Tt had gone thr re 1 a helpiom her She drew away from me and an fe bid her face on the table ue. al wank Oh but Teen, Claire” and T bent 1 ane over ver my hand fondling her hair. He and and gov nm the hall below, ready me fellows Crom th Cob tw your defen ' chimed in Parrett ly, Eve heard all the i, wow all chat known it, aod (old Lawrence « 9 done month ago. Lonty hope he waa k You you were there?” robbing out Hut what can bh the words “You saw me kill him?” Yer, and had you deiayed another instant | should have done |t passed along here.” in for Dh ttaken "Then -then,’, ahe glanced up, tears ny eye fre at door, dimming ber ey you do not blame » she is hiding somewhere in me? You do not think mo a wicked front rooma Come on, Law. © he” rence, and we'll xeareh them,” “L think you a brave, noble woman,” We went out hurriedly, leaving (he T burat forth, “How could | feet wounded man lying helplessly on the otherwise? Look up, little girl; fT bed, und stepped carelesly across the want to see your fice, No, dome sentinel lying inthe hallway, ahrink back from me. ‘There is no momory of Peter recurred the kind to desert hi cause, | know the whole story with He was 1 out you speaking aword, You asked mistress at much @ time, Stopping me to come bac farrell, L stepped back to inquire eamne, back to help you, and I he Colonel opened hia eyes weerlly "Yes," ehe whispered, “Lknow, You at wound of my have been #0 ood,” wy. oth Hoo! loved you, dear, From slowly, “Both the moment I lifted you out of the were went away and bave not pated no da Grant present I ground my teeth savagely to- ther, recalling the treachery of the to find @ surgeon, returned. We antici- fr bere with Capt. way of that mob in Philadelphia I have loved you, I did not understand mueh that occurred, but | have never. doubted you, Now | realise the cause of your masquerade and knew you were Justified, 1 can bring you good jatter, hig uita to Claire, his de- news—-Erie is not a traitor, but was a ,colving of Eric, his atealleg of pa- priaoner, captured by Fagin and held pers, hoping thus to ruin Ris owe at Grant's request. We found hin Colonel, his alliance with Fagin, his selling of British secrets, Here was a villain through and through and I hoped he had already paid the pen- alty, If not, I vowed the man should never eascape, Hut the thought of the missing girl came back, driving all “is safe. Washington belleves he else from my mind, She ‘on brought him the news of Clinton's none of those rooms we searched, nor route of march, and will never know Ald we dliacover the lightest evidence bound and under rd out aa We approached the houne.” “And he is here now?! “Yes; he waa hurt in the fight, and ta atill unconscious, but will live.’ “Hie reputation” yonder Ant Yo her fect, standin: stood In the door of the deserted mu- ender before one sic room staring helplesmly about, « of the candle her sudden possibility occurred to me, Ay! that munt be the truth, the full ie had come flying up the stairs, fright- “Major Lawrence,” she began, wish to get out of here—it seems tke @ grave to mo—but I must speak firat Tam so glad I have accomplished 1 endeavo! to do for my Fagin'a unscrupulous wy, band, She had not returned to her father or eacaped by way of the hall, Drowmer. Capt. Grant tried te male Where then could she have gone? The me Peteve him & tiseninn ne back to aecret stalroane, down which she had We ay "he ‘had promised, I could hurried me, and which was known only to nereci?, Eric and Peter. | DAardly determine what my duty was. : 1 knew his plans, hia orders and the gripped Farrell's arm eagerly, 4 You know this hoyse well-—ald you fhowemt Ce ocr e Weor 4 ever hoar of necret passages in it?” have out myself. aiPagpaelty a havo heard it whiapered in gos- clontly alike ao that this could be sip” he answered, “that cach were gone with little danger of discovery Mee in the old Indian days. Why?", He had uniforms concealed here, and “Tecause It te true, The girl bid | felt driven to impersonate him. 1 me here from Grant. And that ia “0 not Inaist that I did right; 1 do where we will find her. The opgning know—only jt seemed right to Ny there by the false chimney, but -T fe Then—then,” her volce faltered, «no conception of how {tt works: T met you, again and again, and I~ ‘a made me turn my back while she I began to doubt myself, I had no one operated the mechaniem,” to confide in, no one to advise me. I He stooped down and began search Was sinply compelled to go ahead and along the fireplace, and I joined him, keep my own secret. The only ones T Together our hands felt over every Knew [ could absolutely trust ware inch of surface, ‘There was no re- old house aervants, aponse, not even a crack to guide u ‘ou doubted me even?” At last he glanced aside and our eyes “Yes, at first, but you must not peta blame me, We met strangely; you “Who knew of this beside Claire?” were a gentieman and an officer; I ! he asked felt sure of this, and was tempted “Erie and the servant Swanson. oftentimes to tell you my story. But She told ma she and her brother dis- how could [ tell you then that I had covered it by accident through read- dressed as 4 man and played the ears ! ing an old memoranda of a apy? I-—I thought you might “And the Colonel Is not aware of Ita despise me, and—and I wished ao to existence?" retain your respect. It was an acci- ‘ “IT underatand not. dent we were with Delavan thi the boy lives night. We were endeavoring to way- He left the room and I heard his lay @ courter, and rode suddenly into voice calling down the stairs, but did his party. I had to invent @ tale on not distinguish the words of reply. the spur of the moment. Major Law- I straightened up as he left the rence, now that you know all, tell me room and my ey joked into a small thing I must know before we inirror above the open grate. Good others—would you wish Heavens! Could that be my reflec. ter to do as T have done?’ tion? Hareheaded, my face streaked “Not to pasa through with blood and-dlry ci Oonl regh suraig’ T retumas toasty, eee my shirt ripped to the waist. Tecarce- ghould rejoice at her loyalty, and be ly looked human. In sudden burst of proud of her. Claire, Claire, thei Do you know if anger I reached out and gripped the has never been in my heart aught but mirror, Jerking {t savagely, ‘Then T Jove for you. As Lady of the Blended sprang back. Slowly, with a faint Rose, daughter of a Colonel of chek of the mechanism, the mantel Queen's Rangers, even in the disguise place wan swinging open. of a dragoon, T have never questioned : the depth of your Womanhood. Once CHAPTER XXIX. T guessed you a Brittyh spy, yet ceased not to love you. Am I to have my reward? You know little of me, as you say, but a an offer and a gatleman, I ask you to repeat again what you whispered to me once yonder under the stars—do you member, dear?” t was only to compel y COULD scarcely believe my eyes as the mantel swung slowly outward, revealing the black hole beyond, I glanced about helplessly, 1 sprang to the door of the room coll back Farrell, He was not in im y hall, but as my eyes swept U to leave te the upp And now it in an invitation to re its length | remembered a balf- moin” burned candle in the chamber oppo- — Her eyes were uplifted to mine nite. By the time [ returned with it Slowly [ drew her toward me, her | lighted, the mantel had turned on its arms were upon my shoulders apd our j pivot, leaving the way clear, The lps met harrow stair was vacant, stretching — "Tlove you," she satd slowly, “Yes, down into the black depth. 1 Hatened, dear, | love you” my heart throbbing, but no sound Above us, his head thrust through came from below, Could ehe be the opening, Farret! called: there? [had reached the lower floor "Have you found her, Major? Shait before the flickering yellow rays Tcome down vealed any evidence of her preser It's not necessary.” Then T saw girl ng head down ‘The Colonel is half crazy, and the Upon the table. My hand touched her boy ls getting back his senses,” arm before she moved, but then sho We went up together, 1 bearing faced me, wild-eyed, the pistol gleam fhe candle in one hand, and helping ing in the candle light long the circular stairs wit Cla halve! 1 exclaimed, other. In the upper hall TL glanced sturtied at her sudden movement, below, but the bodies of the dead had Surely you know me been removed. Farrel! stood bare- For the instant she did not, her headed, @ great figure on bis short eyes full of terror, No! no!” she cried bysterically, been a fing night's work,” “Oh, it cannot be! dt ts a dream! id steadily, “the last of Fagin’s You~you-—tell me who you are gang.” T caught her hand, the pistol fall. “Dead? “Ay, and Grant with him—begging your pardon, mistress.”’ Her eyes glanced trom his face into mine, and my hand-cl It was thus we went in etood beside the Colonel’ (THE BND.) ing to the floor and plu k upon the table tis no dream, d Tam Allen Lawrence, and I have come for you. 1 know I look disreputable enough but there has been fighting—surely you know me now,’ 4 the candle-