Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-07-30
CHAPTER XVI.

Of all life's mystery the mystery of
pain is the most profound and 5af-
fling. Men on the battlefield have been
wounded most horribly and have yet
thought, at the first of it, that thes
were injured only slightly, if at all.
1t was so with Guy. When the bullet
entered his side his suffering was no
more than would have come from a
pin prick and great was his surprise
to feel the quick weakness, the sud-
den sapping of his stength, the dizzy
whirl of everything about him. AS he
plunged headlong to the ground the
darkness closed in and left not the
faintest ray Of reason.
This status was not of long duration
and for some time before he opened his
eyes he was conscious of gentle for
ward motion as though he was being
carried. Voices were borne to him,
too-the sturdy voices of men with an
other, soft and musical in spite of its
undertone of Indignation and reproof.
The softer voice thrilled him to his
hearts core. He did not mind the pain
so much, although it was steady and
intense. The realization that Miss
Betty was near was as a balm to him,
body and soul. Looking out from be-
tween his partly opened lids he discov-
cred that he was being carried on
blanket by six men. Others of the COM
pany rode and led the horses of those
who were acting as bearers. A little
to the left rode Capt. Blue with Miss
Betty. mounted on fine spirited horse,
at his side.
"What right hal you," Miss Betty
was saying, "to ride out of Concord
with these armed men? What is your
excuse for doing that, Capt. Blue?'
"We feared reprisa.s on account of
the courthouse" answcred the captain.
stiffiy, for to be taken to task by Miss
Betty was sorely against the grain.
1--WE were scouting, that's all. Just
scouting"
"The moment heard that you had
trooped out along the Concord road
I galloped after you," went on Miss
Betty. "Oh, wish, wish, I had
come up with you in time to prevent
this terrible meeting!" She looked
toward Guy, poignant regret show
ing in every line of her face. He
would not have been hurt if I had
I have felt all along that something
terrible would happen before we Sc
cured our rights in this county seat
fight. I have tried my best to keep
you from violence and you, Capt. Blue,
have disregarded my expressed wish,
my strongest command. Who was
it fired the shot that wounded Mr..
Herbert?''
1.-THE other side fired the first
shot" replied the captain, evasively.
Il know that, for I was close
enough to see it. But that shot did
no harm, and was no excuse for the
fusillade which you returned. You
were three times the number of the
other side and they were fleeing as
fast as their horses could carry
them. My question was not an
swered, Capt. Blue. Can you tell me
whose bullet struck Mr.. Herbert?"
emo one could tell you that, Miss
Vlandingham. A dozen shots were
fired simultaneously and it would be
impossible to tell which did the work"
1--WE will inquire into that later.
I am going to push on so as to have
the doctor at our house and to
make ready for Mr.. Herbert. See
that you bring him as quickly and
as easily as you can"
She darted from the captains side
at top speed and was quickly lost to
sight.
ITO Be Continued
The Listener at the Door,