Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-10-23

Ooldness. There was something frank
and pleasant In it that gave her a sense
of restfulness.
His brouzed cheeks flushed under the
scrutiny of her large grave eyes, then he
laughed, short, mirthful laugh that
made her lips open with smile.
"Do you know he said, 81 cannot
get over the feeling that am under some
spell-and that you are spirit
"Oh, no. she answered simply, "I
am only Mary Rath.''
rOf course you are. What an ass
am not TO have remembered. Mary, 1
beg your pardon, Miss Rath, l have
heard of you often,'' and he smiled
easily.
500 they speak of me as Mary?' she
asked, with look in her eyes that
queIled the faint of familiarity il shis
manner.
He flushed again under the steady
gaze, but this time with annoyance, and
he blamed himself double barreIed
idiot not to have seen at once that this
strange girl was not a person to be made
light of.
:'who is i: that calls me Nary" she
continued, relentlessly, with a touch of
bitterness.
az beg your pardon Miss Rath for my
foolish slip. No one worthy of your
friendship would ever think of taking q
liberty with your name.'' He spoke
warmly.
"Was 1t Capt. Dalston!''
rWho calls me?'' answered q harsh
voice. s'Miss Rath l apologize for in
truding. Blaine-how are your" Capt.
Dalston himself stepped into the room,
40 To-
young officer, then, as he noted the
marks of violence in the room, he reeled
as though struck. "What,'' he asked
horsely, "has happened?'
Mary gave brief account of the at
tack and of Sirayo's coining-catehing
her breath at the finish, but just stop
ping short of a sob.
Dalstou said nothing, but his black
eyes burned. and his strong hand grip
ped the sword. "Ah," he muttered in
a sort of gasp, ''If 1 could only have
been there He drew his hand across
his brow, and then with quick look
under his brows at Blaine he abruptly
said: 81 have brought up my troop to
assist you. -
Thanks said Blaine, coldly. "My
force was quite sufficient for the pur-
pose.
1.-The colonel thought differently, -
said the other, with thinly disguised sar-
casm. "He will himself follow with 100
men Tomorrow. What do you propose
doiug?"
az intend moving on to the Mex just
before dawn
"Why upon the Mex if l may ask.
"Because Sirayo is there, and my Or
ders were to capture MIN. You are not
here TO countermand them l suppose, -
he demanded haughtIly.
"You would not suppose, Miss Rath, -
said Dalston with gloomy smile. "that
had saved this young gentleman from
Sirayo's assegai.
Blaine. felt the rebuke all the more be-
cause Dalston had reminded him of the
obligation. Mary was absorbed with
other matters aud did not answer.
"'Do l understand that you are going
to capture the Zulu Chief she asked in
a low voice.
81 will make the attempt, Miss Rath,
and will have to thank you if l succeed. -
Mary WINGED. She rose up and placed
her hand upon his arm.
>"Don It, - she said earnestly, "don't,
prav don't take advantage of my infor-
nation. Nothing would have forced it
from me if l had known your object
Blaine quivered at her touch, and
looked uneasily at Dalston. That indi-
vidual gave him no support, but turned
away with a Irown. Miss Rath had
never rested her hand upon his arm.
Remember, - she continued, with a
tremor in her voice, "he saved my
life.''
Blaine fiinohed under her look OF en-
treaty, q look that haunted him for many
a day; but the lines about his mouth
hardened.
"say you will not go. At least wait
till it is daylight.
81 cannot, - said Blaine, cit is my
duty
"Duty!' she replied with scern,
while her eyes flashed. els it your
duty to place upon me the stigma of
Blaine hesitated moment, and Mary
detecting his hesitation-sighed with re-
lief.
She turned from him to Capt. Dalston.
"You, sir-cannot you help me?"
Now was the opportunity for him to
regain her good opinion. He looked at
her eagerly, then, with an effort that
left his face pale and rugged, he re-
strained himself.
"Capt. Blaine is right,'' he said,
steadily, land it is time to advance. -
The two men fingered moment, as
though they would fain say something to
remove the sting of their refusal, then
they hurried away, and left Mary listen
ing to their departing steps with an
intense feeling of modification at her
heart.
1t was no time for delay however. She
reused Pala, who had evidently been
feigring sleep, for the black girl lost no
time in asking for explanations.
''Pala, you must fly to the Neck and
warn the chief. The soldiers are In
pursuit.
Pala rose TO her feet, but staggered at
her first step. Her ankle was swollen.
She had sprained it in decending the
hill.
The two girls looked at one another in
despair, then Pala' g face hardened.
"You must go, mistress. 1t was you
who .old the soldiers, and you must
warn the chief. He saved you, and if
be dies-his blood and mine be on your
head.''
Mary IS eyes dilated under the stress of
this new danger that was coming upon
her, then she turned and few to where
ner horse was secreted in the garden.