The Ralston Independent (Ralston, Okla.), Vol. 8, No. 24, Ed. 1 Friday, October 4, 1912 Page: 3 of 8
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i
1
m
My Lady
of Doubt
I 'RANDALL
PARR1SH
(^oPTRKSHT^rrauRosCo .1911
SYNOPSIS.
Major Lawrence, son of Judge Law-
fence of Virginia, wlmsi- wife wus u I.-•••.
Is aent 011 ii |)'jrilmis mission by On.
Washington, Just iiii.-r tin- winter nt Yal
Jey Forge. IMsku-• I In h British wi.i
form Lawrence arrives uitliln tl.e eneii v's
fines. The Major attends a great fete
and saves the "Lady of the Hleie."i
Rose" from mob. lb later meets tin clrl
at a brilliant ball. Trouble Is started
over a waltz, and Lawrence la urged by
Ms partner. Mistress Mortimer (Tlu> I n ty
of the Blended Hose), to make h - escape
Lawrence Is detected as a spy by
Grant of the British Army, who agrees
•« ■ duel The duel Is stopped b\ Ci.mt -
for
one with knee pressed Into my chest,
the other uplifting the butt of a piB-
tol over my head. There was not a
word spoken, but I could see they
were In uniform, although the fellow
kneeling on me had the features and
long hair of an Indian. My horse
started to bolt, but his rein was
gripped, and then a third figure,
mounted, rode into the range of my
vffeion.
"Search him for weapons, Tonepah,"
said a boyish voice briefly. "There
are pistols in the saddle holsters, but
row escape. The Major arrives .it th<j
shop of a blacksmith, who Is frieti, lly and
knows the Lady of the Wended
Captain Grant and rangers search b. k-
•mltb shop In vain for the spy law-
rence Joins the minute tn-n. rant ana
(ila train are captured by the minute men.
CHAPTER X.—Conltlnued.
"Oh, I see; a family arrangement
Well, Grant, this is all very interest-
ing, but 1 am unable to conceive what
I have to do with it. I met Mistress
Mortimer by accident, and then was
fortunate enough to dance with her
once. 'Tls scarcely likely we shall
ever meet again. The daughter of a
colonel of Queen's Hangers is not apt
to come agalfl into contact with an
officer of the Maryland Line. I don't
know why you should single me out
in this matter. I don't even know the
lady's brother."
"Her brother?"
"Yes, the family renegade; the twin
brother on Lee's staff."
I could not perceive the expression
of the man's face, but he was a long
while answering.
"Oh, yes. She told you about him?"
"It was mentioned. Would I know
the boy from afly resemblance to his
sister?"
Y—yes, at least 1 should suppose
so. Vou must have become very inti-
mate for her to have told you that.
You see It—it is a family secret."
"Nothing for Tories to boast over,
1 should imagine. However, it came
up naturally enough while we spoke of
the sufferings of the American army
during the winter. It is a sad thing
the way this war has divided families
Has Mistress Claire any Colonial seh
timents?"
"How the devil do I know! She
would not be likely to air them before
me. I don't know what fool trick you
played on her last night, but she's on
the right side just the same."
"I think so, too."
His manner was so disagreeable
that I Instantly determined to have an
end. I had more important work be-
fore me than quarreling with this fel-
low. and, somehow, his claimed inti-
macy with Mistress Mortimer grated
upon me strangely.
"If that is all you requested an In-
terview for, Captain Grant," I said
coldly, "111 trouble you to return to
your men."
Irritated that I had even condescend-
ed to question him, I turned back up
the road to where the men were yet
busy about the wagons, spoke a few
words to Duval, he explaining to me
the best route toward the river cross-
ing at Burlington, and then swung in-
to the Baddle and Bent the black for-
ward to the crest of the ridge.
I permitted the animal to go his own
gait, and for a mile or more he kept
up a hot gallop, finally tiring to a
trot. So far bb I could Judge from the
few stars visible wc were travelin* al-
most due north. However, 1 was cer-
tainly getting farther away from the
British lines, and could swing to the
left at daylight. It mfde little tflffer-
enoe where I struck the Delaware;
every mile north added to my safety.
My horse had fallen into a long,
swinging lope, bearing us forward rap-
idly. The moon had disappeared, but
the sky wns glittering with stars, and
I could distinguish the main features
of the country traversed. I was on the
■ummtt of a slight ridge, but the road
swerved to the right, leading down
Into a brond valley. There were no
signs of habitations, until we rounded
the edge of a smnll grove, and rame
suddenly upon a little vl'Jage of a
dozen houses on either side the high-
way. These were wrapped In dark
ness, apparently deserted, shapeless
appearing itructures, although
thought one had the appearance of a
tavern, and another seemed a store.
There was a well in front of this last,
and water sparkled In a log trough be-
side It. My horse stopped, burying
his nostrils In the water, and, sud-
denly made aware of my own thirst,
1 swung down from the saddle. My
hands were upon the well-rope when,
without warning. 1 was gripped from
behind, and flung down Into the dirt
of the road. I made desperate effort
may have others. Then tie him up
III as quick as you can."
There was no mistaking my captors
—the young dragoon lieutenant, and
the three who had escaped with him.
But why had they ridden in this di-
rection? What object could they have
in thus attacking me? They afforded
me little opportunity for solving these
problems. Had I been a bale of to-
bacco I could not have been treated
with less ceremony, the white man un-
clasping my belt, while the Indian,
with a grunt, flung me over on my
face, and began binding hands and
feet. 1 kicked him once, sending him
tumbling backward, but he only came
back silently, with more cruel twist
of the rope, while the boy laughed,
bending over his horse's neck.
"Hoist him up on the black, lads,"
he Bald shortly, reining back out of
the way "Delavan's horse, Isn't It?
Yes, tie his feet underneath, and one
of you keep a hand on the reins. Peter,
you and Cass ride with him. I want
Tonepah with me. All ready? We'll
take the east road."
Some one struck the horse, and he
plunged forward, swerving sharply to
th« right In response to the strong
hand on his bit. I swayed in the sad-
dle, but the bonds held, and we went
loping forward Into the night
CHAPTER XI.
Introducing Peter.
It was a new country to me that we
traversed, a rolling country, but not
thickly settled, although the road ap-
peared to be a well-beaten track. The
gloom, coupled with the rapidity of
our movements, prevented me from
seeing anything other than those dim
objects close at hand, yet we were
evidently traveling almost straight
east. I endeavored to enter into con
versatlon with the two fellows riding
on either side of me, but neither one
so much as turned his head in re-
sponse to my voice, and I soon tired
of the attempt The night told me
little of who they might be, although
they were both in the uniform of the
Queen's Rangers, the one called Peter
on my right a round, squat figure, and
bald-headed, his bare scalp shining
oddly when once he removed his
cocked hat; the other was an older
man, with gray chin beard, and glit-
tering display of teeth.
The movements of my horse caused
the ropes to lacerate my wrists and
ankles, the pain increasing so that
once or twice I cried out. The fel-
lows guarding me did not even turn
their heads, but the lieutenant drew
up his horse so as to block us.
"What is the trouble? Are you
hurt?"
"These ropes are tearing into the
flesh," I groaned. "I'd be Just as safe
If they were loosened a bit."
1 saw him lean forward, shading his
face with one hand, as he Btared
toward me through the darkness. 1
thought he drew a quick breath as
from surprise, and there was a mo-
ment's hesitancy.
Let out the ropes a trifle, Peter,"
came the final order.
The little bald-headed man went at
It without a word, the lieutenant rein-
ing back, his horse slightly, and draw-
ing his hat lower over his eyes. In
the silence one of the horses neighed,
and the boy seemed to straighten in
his saddle, glancing suspiciously about
"Ride ahead slowly, Tonepah," he
ordered. "I'll catch up with you." He
turned back toward me. "Who are
you, anyway?"
Surprised at the unexpected quel
tion, my first thought was to conceal
my Identity. These were King's men,
and 1 was In ordinary clothes—the
rough homespun furnished "by Parrell.
If, by any chance, 1 was not the party
they had expected to waylay, I might
be released without search.
"Who am 1?" I echoed. "Do you
mean you have gone to all this trouble
without knowing whom you hold pris-
oner?"
"It seem* so," coolly. "We know
who we thought you were, but I am
beginning to doubt your being the
to break away, but two una hsld me, right man. Peter, take his hat off."
I straightened up bareheaded, the
faint star-gleam on my face. The lieu
tenant remained quiet, but Peter broke
his sphinx-like silence.
*"T ain't him, is It?"
"No; he must have taken the other
road after all." with a slight laugh.
"We've been on a wild-goose chase.
However, it's too late now to catch
the fellow on this trip."
Peter rubbed his bald pate, his eyes
on me.
"An' what'll we do with this lad?"
he answered drawllngly. "Turn him
loose?"
"Bring him along. Weil find out to-
morrow who he 1b, and what his busi-
ness may be. Men are not riding these
roads at midnight without some pur-
pose." x-
He wheeled his horse, and, with a
touch of the spur, disappeared in the
darkness ahead. Peter clambered back
into the saddle, and gripped my rein
"Come on," he said disgustedly, kick-
ing the black in the Bide. "It's a ways
yet afore yer lie down."
We rode steadily, and at a good
pace. Occasionally the older man
swore solemnly, but Peter never ut-
tered a Bound, not even turning his
head at my attempts to draw him Into
conversation. The situation mystified
me, but it became more and more evi-
dent that I should have to wait until
morning before learning the truth.
Neither Peter nor the Indian seemed
to belong to the class with which the
army was recruited. Peter appeared
more like a well-trained servant, and
his riding was atrocious. And the lieu-
tenant! There came back to me the
haunting memory that he had Joined
Delavan as a volunteer—the Dragoon
uniform sufficient proof that he was
neither of the original foraging party
of Hessians, nor of Grant's detach-
ment of Rangers. Yet these others
wore green and white, and must, there-
fore, have been in Grant's command.
How did the four manage to escape
from our attack, evidently animated
by one purpose? Why was Grant so
anxious to learn If I had seen the lieu-
tenant, and whether we had a party
out seeking him? Not one of these
questions could I answer; not one
could I even guess at with any degree
of satisfaction.
We were coming out of the low,
swamp lands Into a more thickly set-
tled, and cultivated region. Rail and
stone fences could be seen on either
side the road, and we passed swiftly
by a number of farmhouses, Bome sim-
ple log structures, although one or two
were more pretentious.
It may have been two miles further
along, when the lieutenant, and his In-
dian companion, wheeled suddenly to
the right, and, without slackening
speed, rode through an open gate, and
up a graveled roadway, circling
through a grove of trees to the front
door of a great square mansion. It
was dark and silent, a wide porch In
front supported by huge pillars, a
broad flight of steps leading from the
driveway. The Indian ran up these,
leaving the lieutenant holding his
horse, while we drew up some yards to
the rear. I heard the boom 4of the
Iron knocker, followed by a gleam of
light through a lower window. Then
a negro's voice spoke, and the front
door opened, disclosing two figures,
one with sputtering candle in hand
The two exchanged a dozen words be-
fore the lieutenant asked impatiently:
"Is it all right Tonepah?"
The taciturn Indian made no at-
tempt at speech, but gave an expres-
sive gesture, and the young officer
turned in Jtla saddle.
"Take the prisoner to the lower
room, Peter," he ordered curtly. "I'll
decide tomorrow If he can be of any
use to us."
The two fellows loosened the rope
about my ankles, and Peter waddling
ahead, the grnybeard gripping my
arm, we climbed the steps, and en-
tered the hall. A tall, slim negro, evi-
dently a house-servant from his sleek
appearance, eyeing me curiously,
handed the little fellow a second light-
ed candle, and the three of us went
tramping along the wide hall, pust the
circling stairs, until we came to a
door at the rear. This the black (lung
open, without a word, and 1 was fed
down Into the basement. The flicker-
ing candle yielded but gllmpseB of
great rooms, beautifully decorated, |
and, almost before I realized what was
occurring, I had been thrust Into a
square apartment, the door behind me
closed and locked. The two guards
left the sputtering candle, perhaps a
third burned, behind, and I heard them
•tumbling back through the darkness
to the foot of the stairs. 1 glanced
about curiously, ahaklns th* liiniaad
rope from my wrists, my mind Instant
ly reverting to the chance of escape.
Whoever these fellows might be. what-
ever their purpose, I bad no Intention
of remaining In their hands a moment
longer than necessary. Somehow their
silence, their mysterious movements,
had Impressed me with a strange feel-
ing of fear which I could not analyze.
I could not believe myself a mere pris-
oner of war, but rather as being held
for some private purpose yet to be re-
vealed. Yet the room offered little
promise. It was nearly square, the
walls of stone solidly Imbedded In
mortar, the door of oak, thickly stud-
ded with nails, and the two small win
dows protected by thick Iron bars. It
was a cell so strong that a Blugle
glance about convinced me of the hope-
lessness of any attempt at breaking
out.
1 was not there to exceed ten mln
ute8 when, without warning, the lock
clicked, and Peter came In. 1 sat up
quickly, but as Instantly he had closed
the door, and actually stood there
grinning cheerfully. I would never
have believed him capable of bo pleas-
ant an expression but for the evidence
of my own eyes.
"Spring lock," he grumbled, a thumb
over his shoulder, "opens outside."
Whatever resemblance to a soldier
he might have previously shown while
in uniform was now entirely banished.
Bareheaded, his bald dome of thought
■hluing In the candle-light, his round,
solemn face, with big innocent gray
eyes gazing at me, an apron about his
fat waist, the fellow presented an al-
most ludicrous appearance. Somehow
my heart warmed to him, especially as
I perceived the tray, heavily laden,
which he bore easily on one arm, and
the towel flung over his shoulder. And
as I stared at him his movements be-
came professional. Silently, solemnly,
his mind strictly upon his duties, he
wiped ofT the table top, and arranged
the various dishes thereon with the
greatest care, polishing cups and
I glasses, and finally placing one of the
chairs in position. Stepping back, nap-
kin still upon arm. he bowed silently.. I
took the seat Indicated, and glanced
up Into his almost expressionless face.
"Peter, you old fraud," I said swift-
ly, "have you eaten?"
"Not as yet, sir," his voice showing
Just the proper tone of deference, bis
eyes staring straight ahead.
"Then take that chair and sit down."
"Oh, no, sir; Indeed, sir, I am not at
all hungry, sir."
I squared myself, fingering the knife
at my plate.
"Peter," I said, sternly, "I'm a bet-
ter man than you are, and you'll either
sit down there and eat with me, or I'll
of the man, and striving to determln* | DIDN'T
how best to win his confidence. I was
hungry, and. not knowing what to say,
fell to work with some zest, Insisting
on his doing likewise Yet even as I
disposed of the food that stolid fac*
opposite fascinated me, and held my
naze The fellow was not so big a
fool as he looked, for while the fea-
tures remained expressionless and va-
cant, there was a sly glimmer to tha
eye, betraying an active, observant
mind behind the mask. I began to
suspect some purpose In his play act-
ing.
"What Is spur name, my man?" I
asked finally, made nervous by his
silence.
"Peter Swanson, sir," humbly.
"Oh, a Swede?"
"By ancestry only, sir," he explained, j
wiping his mouth with a corner of th#
napkin, but not lifting his eyes from
the plate. "'T Is a hundred years lino* |
we crossed the sea."
"And you've been good King's men
ever since?"
He cocked one eye up at me.
"It would seem so, sir."
"The fellow with the gray chin bearc
was Irish, was n't he?"
"He might be, sir."
"A Swede, an Irishman, and an In- |
dlan," I Bald musingly. "That makes
a nice combination for the Queen'a
Rangers. Tome now, Peter, give me
the straight of all this."
He stopped with his fork in a bit of
meat, favoring me with another stare. ,
"I think 1 fail to comprehend, sir."
"No, you don't, you rascal," a bit of
anger In my voice. "Did you bring
this supper yourself, or were you sent ]
here?"
'Under orders, sir."
"The lieutenant?"
He bowed solemnly, and asked:
"Would you object If I smoked, sir?"
"Certainly uot; only answer my
questions. Good heavens, man! do you
think 1 am a log of wood? Act like a
human being. Who Is the lieutenant?"
"A Dragoon, sir."
"Peter," I broke out, Irritated be-
yond patience, "I have Bomo reason to
believe you a liar. Rut I'm going to
KNOW WHAT ALTERC*
TION MEANT.
The Justice—You say you witnessed
this altercation.
O'Rourke—No, 01 didn't see that 01
was too busy lookln' at th' folght
CRUST COVERED BABY'S HEAD
632 Brunswick St. Baltimore, Md.—
"My baby's face broke out in pimples,
which after bathing would weep and
form scabs until his head and face
were completely covered with a crust
and his hair all fell out It waa crosa
and would not sleep. Each day It
spread until his entire face and head
were covered with weeping sores. I
tried several prescriptions, but did not
find any relief. Then I decided to try
Cutlcura Soap and Ointment.
"After using them two or threa
times the sores dried up and after a
half dozen applications all disfigure-
ment disappeared. In less than threa
weeks the sores and scales were com-
pletely gone, and baby's Bkln as
smooth and clear as when he was firs!
born. Cutlcura Soap and Ointment
cured him." (Signed) Mrs. Lottie V.
Steinwedel, Jan. 14, 1912.
Cutlcura Soap and Ointment told
neiieve you . .. ■• ...«. * - -- throughout the world. Sample of each
get the truth from you If I have to free with S2-p. Skin Book^ AM. posj
choke It out." wr<1 Cutlcura, Dept. L, Boston. Ad*
"Yes sir; very good. Indeed, sir.
However there would seem to be no One Universal Symbol,
^d of your resorting to such ex-, "Scientists at work on a unlvera*
measures sir " language have one symbol to start
"Then you will teU me what I wish with that already has the sams
to know?
"It will afford me pleasure, sir."
"Then kindly inform me, first of all,
who this young lieutenant 1b."
"I fear, sir." solemnly, "that I may
have misinformed you when I said
he was a Dragoon."
meaning the world over," a traveler
said. "That is the skull and cross,
bones. Its speech Is even more uni-
versal than music or money. Musical
values differ in different countries, bo
does money, but from one end of ths
earth to the other a skull and crosa
bones means poison."
Move for Change In Time.
The French ministry of public works
Is endeavoring to have the govern-
ment adopt the system of reckoning
time on railways by the use of ths
hours from 1 to 24, Instead of 12 noon
to 12 midnight. This system has al-
ready been adopted by many conti-
nental railways and has been In op>
eration lor years on the Canadian Par
clflc railway.
Brs. Wlnslows Soothing fiynip for Chlldrsa
leethlnir, softens the gums, reduces lnn miusr
tlou, 11 > pain. curias wind colic. Ibc bolll*.
kiy.
The man who shoots at randotd
never hits the target.
Bmokers iike LK.WIS' Single Binder cigat
for it's rich mellow quality. Adv.
Babies and grievances grow larger
with nursing.
And many a man does the things
privately that he denounces In public.
YOUNG WIFE
SAVED FROM
HOSPITAL
Tells How Sick She Was And
What Saved Her From
An Operation.
It Was a Cell 8o Strong That a Single Glance About Convinced Me of ths
Hopelessness of Any Attempt at Breaking Out.
lick you within an Inch of your life.
There 1b food enough here for three
men, and 1 want company."
He rubbed his hand across his Hps,
and I caught a gleam of Intelligence in
his eyes.
"Well, sir, seeing you put It In that
way, sir," he confesBed, almost as
though In regret, "1 hardly see how I
can refuse. It Is very flattering, sir."
He drew up the other chair and sat
down opposite me. "Would you care
for a glass of wine first, sir?" he
asked Bollcltoualy. > "It has been a
rather dusty ride."
CHAPTER^XII.
I Interview Peter.
I accepted the wine gratefully, and
sat In silence while he served the
meat, wondering at the odd character
"Yes!" eagerly.
"I would correct my statement soma
what—he Is a Light Dragoon, sir."
In spite of my effort at self-control
I swore, tempted to batter that stolid
face, yet realizing the utter uselesa
ness of such violence.
"Now, see here!" I broke fortl
fiercely. "Have done with your play.
You are no soldier; I doubt If you
were ever on a horse's back until to
night. And those fellows with you ar«
not Queen's Rangers, I'll swear."
"How do you know, sir?" he Inter
rupted gently. "Are you In the army,
sir?"
"Of coure 1 am," I cried, answering
without consideration.
I thought so. sir; although yout
clothes do not proclaim the fact. May
1 ask which army?"
(TO BU CONTINUED*)
Upper Sandusky,Ohio. — " Three yeart
ago 1 was married and went to house-
keeping. 1 was not
feeling well and
could hardly drag
myself along. I had
such tired feelings,
my back ached, my
sides ached, I hail
bladder trouble aw-
fully bad, and I could
not eat or sleep. I had
headaches, too, and
became almost a ner-
vous wreck. My doc-
tor told me to go to a hospital. I did
not like that idea very well, so, when I
saw your advertisement in a paper, I
wrote to you for advice, and have done aa
you told me. I have taken Lydia E.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound and
Liver Pills, and now I have my health.
•' If sick and ailing women would only
know enough to take your medicine,they
would get relief—M rs. Ben J. H. St AN8-
BKKY, Route 6, Box 18, Upper Sandusky,
Ohio.
If you have mysterious pains, Irregu-
larity, backache, extreme nervousnesa.
Inflammation, ulceration or displace-
ment, don't wait too long, but try Lydia
E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound now.
For thirty years Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Compound, made from roota
and herbs, has been the standard remedy
for female ills, and such unquestionable
testimony as the above proves the vain*
of this famous remedy and should gtva
avery one confidence.
0ISCASK9
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Bryant, T. E. The Ralston Independent (Ralston, Okla.), Vol. 8, No. 24, Ed. 1 Friday, October 4, 1912, newspaper, October 4, 1912; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc162881/m1/3/?q=library+literature+and+Information+Science: accessed June 1, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.