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

IN his life. He became the fayorite
OF all save his aecond lieutenant,
wse Ice: &c opportunity TO humiii-
ate him.
In dna fima the rnni..,n n.,t MOO ~
dered to the plains, and he was with
the squad sent to guard the stage.
1t was the first time Lieutenant
Marks had ever been under fire
Nevertheless it was natural to SUD-
pose he would show some courage
on this occasion, for Mary Sommers.
the girl who had won his heart. was
in the stage.
1t was CALLING to poor George
stone to meet the woman whom he
loved under such changed circum-
stances that he dared not sneak 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 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
let's and arrows as possible.
1t was George, his stony silence
broken only by the exigency Of the
moment, who suggested the grove
as the proper place to make the
stand. Il 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 stupefied and dumb
with fear.
When the re-enforcements Of In
dians came and the fight was raging
hot, it was the private soldier who,
by his manly, unselfish 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
stagecoaoh, not uttering a word or
taking any part in the conflict.
Lieutenant Marks, said sweet,
musical voice at his side during a
lull in the conflict, why do you not
go to the front with your menq"
II am III, Miss SommeIs. Indeed
am very i'll. / can hardly stand
upon my ieet," answered the lieu
tenant. And TO prove that he was
correct he lay at full length ON the
ground.
"You were not ill 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 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 a cow
ard - cried the brave girl indignant
ly. "You are a disgrace to the serv-
ice.''
He began to lament in 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 we're pouring a storm Of bullets
about him. LIZ ing 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 uniform
of soldier.
miss sommers, this is no place
for you"
"NOr is s. any z,saos for you," she
answered.
II am soldier, and it is my duty
to die"
"And I am one whom you are de-
Tending, and it is my duty to remain
at your side"
Miss Sommers''- he began.
3"No, no, Georgei I will never
leave this breastwork while you ex-
pose your ;ife-more.p precious than
that OF apy other in the party
He was touched by her words.
They appealed to h:s heart. Amois-
ture came into the eyes which had
been so long dry, while mis- frame
trembled.
"Miss Sommers''-
George, you used to call me-
Mary. Won't you do SO nowa Re-
member. death is great leveler,
and we are facing death"
''s1a Nary, must io1oI.i you. nu
said. IT would defend you even if
were not soldier, and must in
spire these others by my example. -
Better LET any Of tlsem expose
their lives than your she answered
in a voice Of melting tenderness.
Il would ,,ba fatal 20 shirk duty
now-the act Of the coward. Is il
not better that we take the only
chance we have Of defending our
lives than to die q coward's death a''
"Then let me stand by your side
and fall when you do ] shall not
care TO live if you are gone.''
M No, mol Don't insist on endan-