Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-24
"A TALISMAN. !"
81 HON. MRS. NE.
CHAPTER VI.


ly looked-for, fervently -prayed-f re-
Inducements had not come yet, and
each moment now might make their
coming of no avail.
Things had grown worse and worse.
The enemy's fire increased as the
brave little garrison decreased, and
the most awful Of all rumors was
whispered from one to another with
despairing face-the ammunition was
falling short.
II think things are nearly at an end,
Mr.. Leigh" Dorothy said, coming up
10 her patient with a new look upon
her white young face. 81 have just
been talking to MAJOR Harvey, and he
says-we all know it, and we are all
prepared-he says if we are not sue
cored in three hours we must---'
She did not finish her sentence, eX-
cept by the anguish in her brave eyes.
The next ms ant she tried TO smile;
but Leigh's face had grown white to
the very lips. He caught the little
hand and held it rs in vice, while he
rose from his couch and stood upright.
dorothy. stay with me, he said in
shoGr5e unsteady accents. "Stay with
ms, my little one, for these few remain
ing hours. | will protect you while a
drop of blood remains in my veins,
and then | would Stay you with my own
hand, Dorothy, rather than you should
fall among those fiends outside"
His tee were clenched between the
bfoodless lips.
II have revolver here" the girl
said, drawing one from the folds of
her gown. 1T is loaded, Mr.. Leigh.
/ have kept it always on purpose.
When hope is over | can die. l shall
kill myself before one of those outside
enter"
She gave quick involuntary shud-
der, and then the brave deep eyes
looked into Eberhard's, and his were
strained and filled with a horror Of
agony like nothing the mans life had
ever known before.
\ The end is coming now, Eberhard,
Wand think that the worst is over"
..Stay with me-" he only repeated,
crushing the little fingers in his con-
vulsive grasp. But self was lost in
Dorothy now.
Il will come back in minute she
said, disengag.Hg herself firmly. Il
must just fetch Elyira. She is in the
officers quarters all alone. Sir Peter
died this morning"
The slight white figure sped away,
and Lord Lester stood, forgetful of his
wound-forgetful of everything but
the moments he counted with feverish
impotence until the girl returned.
..What is that" Suddenly he
started as a sound, exceeding all
others fell on his ear, and cry an
swered him:
"A shell struck the officers quarters.
They are on fire."
Then suddenly, as the flames leaped
upward and outward, spreading like
wildfre among the heated combusti-
bles, someone cried:
''Miss Beauchamp is there!'
Two or three darted to the rescue,
but one was there before them. Weak
ness and wound forgotten, and giants
strength momentarily possessed, Eber-
hard, Lord Lester, dashed across the
yard now swept by a scathing fire
from the enemy's guns, and gained the
burning pile.
As he entered it he saw her, the
slim white figure with the soft dark
hair, lying on the ground, the little
hands clasped in unconsciousness.
Raising it in his herculean grasp,
the soldier again faced the open
square. Shot and shell whistled
around him as he ran the gauntlet
with his precious burden. Those
watching him in breathless eagerness,
saw him stagger once as If struck.
He is down, they murmured. mo;
he has rcco cred; he is gaining shell
ter. Bravo! he has saved her"
Lord Lester gained the building,
and. staggering again, white and eX-
hausted now, laid his burden upon the
ground tenderly--gently.
He laid it down, face upwards, and
then terrible cry-a cry whose des-
pair and pain none Of those who heard
it ever forgot-bro5e from the man as
he saw the features OF the woman he
had saved.
1T is not Dorothy" he cried IL
have left my own darling 10 die"
II am here, Eberhard," sweet
voice said. and Dorothy Beauchamp's
eyes. holding even in this awful mo-
ment strange, deep, sudden happi-
ness, gazcd into his. u followed YOU"
she said simply. Il was close by,
waiting TO hell Elvira, when you pick
ed her up. ran behind you, and you
sheltered me to "a great extent. No;
Dan not wo nded-not even scratched.
answering his unspoken question; but
then her glance fol- on her cousin, and
she knelt down beside her with a cry.
"Elvira! Look az her. She is dying"
The surgeon who CHANGED 70 be there
bent over Lady RusAin's silent form.
mo hope" he said with shake Of
his head; ''the ball has struck vital
spot. 1t is only question Of minutes.
I can do nothing"
..What Is only question Of min