The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-12-04

He extended his hand and left a
slight pressure on her cold fingers. But
they slipped quickly from his grasp.
and she turned away with a heightened
color.
He stepped to the door. One or two
aids-de-camp. withheld by his order
against intrusion. were waiting eagerly
with reports. The horse of mounted
field officer was paving the garden
turf. The officers stared at the young
girl.
Take Miss Faulkner with flag to
some safe point of the enemy's line.
She is a non-combatant OF their own,
and will receive their protection"
He had scarcely exchanged a dozen
words with the aids-de-camp before
the field officer hurriedly entered.
Taking Brant aside he said quickly:
Pardon me, general. but there is q
strong feeling among the men that this
attack is the result of some informa-
ton obtained by the enemy. The won-
an you have just given a safeguard to
is suspected, and the. men are indig-
nant."
conveyed beyond any consequences o:
their folly. ma or," said Brant, frigidly,
land L look to you for her safe convoy.
There is nothing in this attack to shov
that the enemy has received any in
formation regarding us. But I woulc
suggest that it would be better to see
that my orders are carried out regard
ing the slaves and men combatants who
are passing our lines from division.
headquarters. where valuable informa-
ton may be obtained, than in the sur
veillance OF testy and outspoken girl"
An angry flush covered the majors
cheek as he saluted and fell back, and
Brant turned to the aid-de-camp. The
news was grave. \ column of the enc
| my had moved against the ridge; it was
no longer possible to hold it; and the
brigade was cut Off from its communi
cation with the division headquarters,
although as yet no combined movement
was made against it. Brant's secret
fears that it was an intended impact
against the center were confirmed.
Would his communications to the di
vision commander pass through the at
lacking column in time?
One thing puzzled him. AS yet the
enemy, after facing his line, had shown
no disposition, even with their over
whelming force, to turn aside to cover
him He could easily have fallen back
when it was possible to hold the ridge
no longer, without pursuit. His flank
and rear were not threatened, as they
might have been by q division of SO
large an attacking column, and his re-
treat was still secure, 1t was this fact
that seemed to show failure or imper-
lection in the enemy's plan. It was pos
sible that his precipitation of the attack
by the changed signal had been the
cause of it. Doubtless some provision
had been made to attack him in flank
and rear, but in the unexpected hurry
of the outset it had to be abandoned. He
could still save himself, as his officers
knew. but his conviction, that he might
yet be able to support his division COM
rnander by holding his position logged
ly, but coolly awaiting his opportunity,
was strong. More than that, it was his
temperament and instinct.
Narrowing them in flank and rear,
contesting the ground inch by inch, and
holding his own against the artillery
sent to dislodge him. or the cavalry
that curled around to ride through his
open ranks, he saw his files melt away
before this steady current without
Ginching.