The Newtown bee., 1900-04-13

blood and struggled for moment con- vulsiyely. Then more faintlv he said: "Wiit give him my love and good-by?'
 II will." sobbed the girl. s Nothing more was said for some time, then Mobrsy asked faintiy: "Is 1t that am losing consciousness, or has the firing ceasedP"
 Here Mir Meredith's voice broke in upon ! them. as standing in the mouth of the cave he called: "Come, Janice. The firing has ceased, to permit an exchange of flags with the rebels. Up with ye, and get the fresh air while ye can.n
 VI will stay here. father," replied the giris "and care for-',
 Nonsense, lassI Ye shall not kill yourself. I order ye to come away"
 do' Miss Meredith, ," begged Mobray.
 ou can do naught for me, and-and-I would nave Do as he says" His hand olndiy groped until Janice placed hers within it, when he gave 1t a weak nros. sure as he said, "Tis many a lon1 oaarch snd many sieepless night that the mem- ory of you has sweetened. Thank vou. and good-by."
 Reluctantly Janice came out of the bomb-proof, blinking and gasping with the novelty of sunlight and sea ,bree ze, after the darkness and stench of the last weeks and hex father, partly supporting, led her up the bluff. It was 8 strange transformation that greeted her eyes, ploughed.up streets and ruins of build- ings dismantled by shot or left heaps of ashes by the shell, everywhere telling of the fury of the siege. ! ''Keep your eyes closed, lass," sug. gested the squire, "for there are sights of horror. In moment I'll have ye at headquarters, where things have been kept more.tidy. There, now ye can look ; sit down here and fill your lungs with this good air. Ro! what's here?' he ended, pointing up the street. l Three officers were coming towards them, arm in arm, the two outsiders in red coats, and the middle one in blue one. with buff facings. Occasionally as they advanced, he in the blue uniform swerved or stumbled slightly, as If he might be wounded or drunk. But one look at his face was sufficient to show the cause, for across his face was tied broad white 1 band.
 "Oh, dadda," murmured Janice, sud denly paling, 'tis Colonel Brereton they have captured"
 ''Nonsence, Jan! 'tis impossible to know any man, so covered" The girl stte mpted no reaasertion, and as the three officers marched up to the headquarters, the two hastily rose from l the steps.
 "Ha!' exclaimed one of the British officers. Here stands Miss Meredith now, Colonel B B:ereton, as if to end your doubting of my assurances of her being alive.''
 The blindfolded man, with quick motion, withdrew the hand passed through the arm of his guide and raised it impulsivel7 to the bsudage. "Hold," warningly said the British officer, as he caught the hand. 'small l wonder the handkerchief becomes in- tolerable, with her to look at, but stay on | it must until you are within doors." Jacks hand clutched the officers arm. "God! man, you are not deceiving ne ?'
 Speak uo, Miss Meredith, and con- vince the sceptic that General O'Hara, ! though Irish, is yet 8 truth.teller on ! occasion"
 "Ol, Colonel Brereton," said Janice, II have just left Sir Frederick, who is at the point of death, and he gave me & message of farewell to you. Can you not go to him for moment? 'Twould be everything to him.
 Jack hesirated. My mission is so i'm portant- General O'aara, wilt deliver this letter with proper explanation to his Lordship, while see this friend?'
 Certainly. If Miss Meredith will guide you and Lcrd Cbewton to where he lies, I'll see that Lord Cornwallis gets the letter."
 In the briefest possible time Brereton stood beside Mo5ray. Yet when the officer in charge of him united the hand kerchief and stepped back out of hearing Jacks eyes did not seek his friend, but turned instead to the face of the girl standing beside him. Fer & moment they fingered in gaze so steadfast, so devouring, that, try ss she wouli, not to look at him, Janice's eyes were drawn to his, despite herself. With a long breath as if relieved of some dread, Jack finally turned away and knelt beside his friend. "Fred, old comrade," ," he said as he took his hand.
 "Charlie!' gasped Mobray weakly, as his eyes opened. "Is't really you, or am I wandering?"
 '"Tis I, Fred. come into town with flag"
 "You've beat old Britain, after all, haven't you?"
 "No, dear lsd," replied Jack, gently. " 'Tis the old spirit of England that has conquered, as it ever will, when fighting for it's rights against those who would rob it it them"
 "True. We forgot twas our own whelps, grown strong, we sought to sub. jugate. And you had the better man to lead you, Jack"
 "Ay, and so we ever shall, go long as Britain makes men generals because they are kings bastards."