The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-06-28
CHAPTER XVI.

vi All liAC my SISiJ CilC my Sbciy VI
pain is the most profound and baf-
fling. Men on the battlefield have been
wounded most horribly and have yet
thought, at the first of it, that they
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
pin prick and great was his surprise
to feel the quick weakness, the sud-
den sapping of bis 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-thc sturdy voices of men with an
other, soft and musical in spite of it's
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 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 a fine spirited horse,
at his side.
"What right had you," Miss Betty
was saying, "to ride out of Concord
with these armed men? What is your
excuse for doing that, Capt. Blue?"
owe feared reprsa,s on account of
the courthouse" answered the captain,
stiffly, for to be taken to task by Miss
Betty was sorely against the grain.
eve were scouting, that's all. Just
scouting"
"Thc moment I heard that you had
troopcd out along the Concord road
galloped after you," went on Miss
Betty. ooh, ! wish, / wish, I had
come up with you in time to prevent
this terrible mccting!" She looked
toward Guy, poignant regret show
ing in every line of her face. Gle
would not have been hurt if I had.
l have felt all along that something
terrible would happen before we Sc
cured our rights in this county seat
fight. l 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..
Hcrbert?"
"The other side fired the first
shot," replied the captain, evasively.
81 know that, for l 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?"
"No one could tell you that, Miss
Vlundingham. a dozen shots were
fired simultaneously and it would be
impossible to tell which did the work"
1--WE will inquire into that later.
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
rs easily as you cam"
She darted from the captains side
at top speed and was quickly lost to
sight.