Part 15 (1/2)

Daniel Eske answered precipitately: ”For God's sake, sir, don't let this go againstany coe, sir, has been twice a-waving her hand to uard here I never took no notice, so helpminimized by the lens, Stuart could discern all the coquettish details of the apparition; the garb of white dressed doe skin--a fabric as soft and flexible, the writers of that day tell us, as ”velvet cloth”--the fringed borders of which were hung with shells and bits of tinkling metal; the hair, duly anointed, black and lustrous, dressed high on the head and decorated with sled about the neck, and the hly valued by the Indians, painted an indelible red With a definite realization of the menace of treachery in her presence, Stuart's face was stern indeed as he looked at her All at once his expression changed

”Do as I bid you,” he said to the sentry, suddenly re-Whip-poor-will,” and her talk of the handsoossip touching the Scotcharded ain But no,--she is going,--show yourself at the ,--must risk a shot now and then”

The loop-hole here attained the size of a s commanded only by the river, which would expose any marksman to a direct return fire

”Now, she sees you,” exclai fellow's face appeared in the aperture, gruff, sheepish, consciously punished and ridiculous,--how could he dream of Stuart's scheme! ”Take off your hat

Wave it to her Wave it with a will, e of tone, ”I advise you, for your own good, to stay away froarrison is detected in engaging in sign language with the enemy he will certainly be court-martialed and shot”

”Captain,” protested the boy, with tears in his eyes, ”I'd as lieve be shot now, sir, as to have you think I would hold any coirl,--the forward hussy ca her hand I'd--”

But Captain Stuart was half down the ladder, and, despite young Eske's red coat, and the fact that he smelled poith more satisfaction than perfu about his head without dodging, and had , when he could scarce bear his sore feet to the ground, the tears in his eyes overflowed upon the admired freckles on his cheek, and he shed the as to cootten him utterly, except as a factor in his plan

He sat so jocund and cheerful beside the table in the great hall that Odalie, su he ood news,--a theory corrected in another moment by the downcast, remonstrant, doubtful expression on De the door behind her, replied to so he had already said:--

”At all events it is perfectly safe to lay the matter before Mrs

MacLeod”

To this Demere responded disaffectedly, ”Oh, certainly, beyond a doubt”

”Mrs MacLeod,” said Stuart deliberately, and growing very grave, as he sat opposite to her with one hand on the table, ”we are trusting very deeply to your courage and discretion when I tell you that our situation here is very dangerous, and the prospect nearly desperate”

She looked at hiht of her own, of all that she loved And for a moment her heart stood still

”You know that all received es, fail as applied to Indian warfare You can be of the greatest service to us in this eency Will you volunteer?” There was a little smile at the corner of Stuart's lip as he looked at her steadily

”No, no, I protest,” cried Demere ”Tell her first what she is to do”

”No,” said Stuart, ”when you agreed to the plan you expressly stipulated that you were to have no responsibility Now if Mrs MacLeod volunteers it is as a soldier and unquestioningly under orders”

”It is sudden,” hesitated Odalie ”May I tell my husband?”

”Would he allow you to risk yourself?” asked Stuart ”And yet it is for yourself, your husband, your child, the garrison,--to save all our lives, God willing”

Odalie's color rose, her eyes grew bright ”I know I can trust you to ht as it er

I volunteer”

The two men looked at her for one moment, their hearts in their eyes