The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-01-21

heard the distant. muf1ed crack OF the
cavalry carbine. Another, another far
Their away, and then, mingling with
them, q hoarse, low murmur as Of many
voices and of commands indistinguish-
able through the gale. Louder grew the
clamor, nearer came the sounds; then the
added rush Of many feet in the adjoin-
ing barracks Of K troop, the quick, STIR
ring peal of trumpet, sounding some
unfamiliar call. Overstrained and ex-
cited. as were her nerves, fearing for
him against whom the wrath Of the gar
rison was reused, she could only con-
meet the sounds Of alarm and confusion
with him and his hapless fate. She
started forward to call the colonel's at
tention, for among the dancers the
sound was still unheard
Again the shots and shouts, the rush
Of hurrying feet on the broad veranda
without Again and nearer, quick and
imperative, the thrilling trumpet call.
Then, close at hand the loud bang Of
the sentry's carbine and the stentorian
shout of "Fire!'' And then, just as the
music abruptly ceased in response to
the colonel's signal, bursting in at the
door, followed by couple Of troopers,
came Rorke, rushing for a ladder that
had been in use during the day.
cts that mailman, Graice, sorrp;
he cried in answer to the look in his
commanders face. Hes fired the tow
er, and he's burnin to DEATH
Springing to the window, Helen
Daunton dashed aside the curtain, and,
all one glare Of fame, the guardhouse
burst upon the view. A black ladder,
silhouetted against the blaze, was being
raised at the instant the curtain fell
from her nerveless hand. Will seized his
cap, made one leap to the door, despite
Kitty's frantic effort to seize him; then,
missing his saber, whirled about and
rushed from point to point in search Of
it. Divining his object, the girl threw
herself in front of the settee, behind
which she had concealed 1t, and, when
he sought to reach around her, desper-
ately, determinedly fought him off.
Selling cap. the colonel vanished into
the night. Throwing over his shoulders
the first mantle he could lay his hands
on, which happened to be Lucretia's
Wayne follnved his leader. Will, de-
1ayed and maddened, only succeeded in
capturing his saber by forcibly lifting
Kitty out of the way; then he sprang to
the doorway to join the men hurrying
from distant points to the scene. Orms-
by, too, had rushed after the colonel,
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 the
frightful spectacle. It was Ellis who
hurled aside the curtain, just as old
Rorke, re-entering, sprang to the middle
Of the hall.
Come away, ma am! For the love Of
God, miss, stand clear Of that window!
The poor divil's climbed to the top, and
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
HE 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'am! It's sure death
to the man that dares to try it. Any
it may blow up. They're rush
in clear of it now. The colonel's order
ed them all back. No! God Of hivin,
some ones climbin the ladder now!
It's Captain Leale! Oh, don't let him.
men! Dhrive him back! Oh, what use
is it? Did man ever I've 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 as, to the accompaniment of
shrek from Kitty's lips, there came a
dull roar, followed by a sudden thud
and crash Of falling timbers and the
hoarse shouts of excited men. An in
slant later, Ormsby, nearly breathless,
leaped in at the door.
"They'll have to bring him in here.
not jumped. Ellis, your mother must
not see his face. Take her into the dress
ing room.'
"And why?'' cried Ellis. ''The lives
IF our best and bravest have been risk
I'D to save that worthless life? This is
no place for him. He shall not be
brought here
flush said Ormsby in low, in
tense tone. ''In Gods name, Ellis,
hush! The 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
I'D about Mrs. Farrar, obedient to Orms-
BY murmured injunction to keep her
from seeing the face Of the dying man
lest it prove too severe a shock to her
weakened heart, the men came solemn
", bearing stretcher, on which lay the
blanket covered form, followed by
silent group Of officers. The doctor sim
NV f0nchnd tho wrist Uavo ono GLANCE