Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-12-10
THURM0NT Frederick County, Maryland Thursday December TO- 1896

and only women were left upon the
floor. These, horror stricken. yet fas-
cinated, had gathered about the east
ward window, where Helen Daunton
crouched, unable to look again upon tho
frightful spectacle. 1t was Ellis who
hurled aside the curtain, just as old
Rorke, re-entering, sprang to the middle
Of the hall.
"Come away, ma ami For the love Of
God, miss, stand clear Of that windowl
The poor divil's climbed to the top, aud
the cannon powdher's in the tower.
With moan Of despair, Helen burst
through the group and toward the open
doorway, as though she herself would
hie to the rescue. Rorke, with one leap,
regained the threshold and thrust her
back.
my God, can no one save him?" she
cried.
"Save him, ma'ami It's sure death
to the man that dares to try 1t. Any
moment 1t may blow up. They're rush.
in clear Of it now. The colonel's order.
ed them all back. MOI God Of hivin,
some ones climbin the ladder nowl
It's Captain Lealei Oh, don't lot him,
meni Dhrive him backl Oh, what use
is it2 Did man ever live that could turn
Malcolm Leale from the duty he deem.
ed his own?" And away rushed poor
Terry. Ellis sprang to her mothers side
just a.. to the accompaniment Of .
shrek from Kitty's lips. there came a
dull roar, followed by q sudden thud
and crash of falling timbers and the
hoarse shouts Of excited men. An in.
slant later. Ormsby. nearly breathless,
leaped in at tho door.
"They'll have to bring him in here.
Leale would have saved him II he had
not jumped. Ellis. your mother must
not see his face Take her into the dress
Ing room"
"And why," cried Ellis 1.-The lives
Of our best and bravest have been risk
ed to save that worthless lifei This is
no place for him. He shall not be
brought here"
Hush" said Ormsby in a low, in
tense tone. I'm Gods name, Ellis,
hushl Tho man ON that litter is your
mothers son, your own brother, Royle
Farrar. That is the secret was guard
ing for Helen Daunton. your brothers.
wife"
A moment later as the women gather
ed about Mrs. Farrar, obedient to Orms-
by's murmured injunction to keep her
from seeing the face Of the dying man
lest it prove too severe shock to her
weakened heart, the men came solemn
ly, bearing q stretoher, on which lay the
blanket covered form, followed by Q
silent group Of officers. The doctor sim
ply touched the wrist. gave one glance
into the scorched and blistered face,
shook his head and drew the blanket
Kitty, sobbing. olung to Willy's arm.
their quarrel forgotten. Helen. who had
thrown herself almost hysterically upon
her knees at the stretcher's side, turned
in added terror at the words Of the colo
mel, "Another patient, doctor, - for at
the instant, supported by Wayne and
others, Malcolm Leale was led within
the doorway, handkerchief pressed to
his eyes.
"He got the full fash Of that ex-
plosion in bis face" murmured the old
soldier as the doctor met them. Then,
in the solemn presence Of death, in the
hush and silence Of the throng, Mira
Farrar stepped forward and laid her
white hand gently, reverently upon the
lifeless breast
'Reckless and hardened he may have
BEEN" she said. "but somewhere,
somewhere, know a mothers heart Is
yearning over him and mothers lips
are praying for the boy she loves. "
And so it happened that only one or
two could hear the single, Whispered
word with which the doctor turned to
his commander after one brief look into
Malcolm g eyes.
"Blindr'