A Daughter of Maryland — page 87: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

~0) A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. nigger who is supposed to be hiding somewhere in this “vicinity. ’’ ‘‘And that young heir of Graymont,’’ spoke up Blandon. ‘They are hiding at the old Granary. Have you been down that way?’’ | ‘‘Yes, sir,’’ replied Aurian firmly, though she wondered how she could appear so calm. ‘‘I have just come from there.’? — ‘*Didn’t you see that young Southard there?’’ demanded Blandon, crowding his horse forward abreast of Esten Berners’ animal. ‘‘He could not have been there or I should have seen him. ’’ | ‘*And the nigger ?’’ ‘*T am sure he is not there.’’ ‘‘Funny!’’ supplementing his statement with an oath. ‘*Both have been seen coming this way. Beware how you try to deceive us. It——’’ ‘*Mr. Blandon,’’ said Esten Berners sharply, turning to his companion, ‘‘the loyalty of a Lancier is beyond dispute. If you want to search the old mill do so, but I vouch for — the word of Miss Lancier. It is my opinion you are on the wrong track, and that you are losing valuable time beating about this bush. Shall I have the pleasure of escorting you home, Miss Lancier?’’. ‘*You are very kind, Mr. Berners,’’ replied Aurian, with a breath of relief. ‘‘If Mr. Southard or the negro had been at the mill I must of necessity have seen them.’’ She was on dangerous ground, but she knew it would not do to falter then. What if they should insist on visiting the old Granary after all she had said? She realized that not only Carroll Southard’s safety but her own was at stake. To her great joy therefore she heard Blandon’s command: ‘*Right about face, boys! The dogs must have gone as I thought at first, to Whippet’s swamp. Move on, lively !’’ and nodding an adieu to Esten and Aurian, the little caval- - cade soon disappeared from sight. a - comicboo cS mn co