The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-10-19

IL
of all save his second lieutenant,
who lost no opportunity to humili-
ate him.
In due time the regiment was or
dered to the plains, and he was with
the squad sent to guard the stage.
It was the first time Lieutenant
Marks had ever been under fire.
Nevertheless it was natural to sup
pose he would show some courage
on this occasion, for Mary Sommers,
the girl who had won his heart, was
in the stage.
It was CALLING to poor George
Stone to meet the woman whom he
loved under such changed circu1n-
stances that he dared not speak to
her. He bore himself erect with a
proud, soldierly dignity, but was
silent. When the attack came, he
was first in the fight, and it was
then that the lieutenant, who had
shone as a society man, began to
show the white feather. He failed
to go to the front with his men and
kept as much out of range of bull
lets and arrows as possible.
1t was George, his stony silence
broken only by the exigency cf the
moment, who suggested the grove
as the proper place to make the
stand. It was he who proposed that
the breastwork be thrown up from
the stones and sand. He even direct
ed the operation, for the command
ing officer was stupefed and dumb
with fear.
When the re-enforcements Of In
dams came and the fight was raging
hot, it was the private soldier who,
by his manly, unselfsh courage,
inspired his companions to make
battle against such overwhelming
odds. All the while the cowardly
lieutenant, with pale lips and trem-
bling form, was crouched under the
stagecoach, not uttering word OF
taking any part in the conflict.
Lieutenant Marks, " said a sweet,
musical voice at his side during a
lull in the conflict, "why do You not
90 to the front with your mena"
ST ara i'll, Miss Sommers. Indeed
I am very i'll. I can hardly stand
upon my feet" answered the lieu
tenant. And to prove that he was
correct ne lay at full length ON the
ground.
"You were not i'll two hours ago. !"
: "No, this has been very sudden
and very unfortunate indeed. If /
were we'll, I could drive off those
rascally Indians, but really I am not
able to hold up my head" And it
seemed as if he would burrow his
head in the sand.
Lieutenant Marks, you are cow
ard!' cried the brave girl indignant
ly. "You are a disgrace to the serv-
ice"
He began to lament in a pitiable
manner, and she turned away and
ran TO the side of George Stone, who
stood boldly erect by the imperfect
breastwork firing at the savages,
who were pouring a storm of bullets
about him. Laying one little hand
on his shoulder she said:
"Mr. Stone, it is not right that
you should endanger your life
He turned his pale, stern face up
on her and spoke to her for the first
time since he had worn the uniforms
of soldier.
"Miss sommers, this is no place
for you"
"Nor is it any place for you," she
answered.
"I am a soldier, and it is my duty
to die
"And am one whom you are de-
Tending, and it is my duty to remain
at your eide.
"Miss Sommers''- he began.
mo, no, Georgel will never
leave this breastwork while you ex-
pose your life-more. precious than
that of any other in the party
He was touched by her words.
They appealed to his heart. Amois-
ture came into the eyes which had
been so long dry, while his frame
trempled.
"Miss Sommers''-
George, you used to call me
Mary. Won't you do go now3 Re-
member, death is a great leveler,
and we are facing death"
MARY, I must defend you" he
said. II would defend you even if !
were not soldier, and I must in
spire these others by my example.
''Better let any of them expose
their lives than you!' che answered
in a voice of melting tenderness.
"It would be fatal to shirk duty
now-the act Of the coward. Is it
not better that we take the only
chance we have Of defending our
lives than to die coward IS death2"
"Then let me stand by your side
and fall when you do. shall not
care To live if Won ara gone.