The sun., 1903-02-15

should have gone when you told me to.
was q cur to delay. But-but-
Yes she whispered
forever you know when things are straight
enc / out well. we won't he enemies then.
willy will we''
And I may come back-if I live9,
Go, since you must, and come back u you
sif care to! But you-2"
She made no answer, more than to smile
bravely up at him. He stopped ara tooK
her hand, humbly pressing !! TO nus ups.
the love Of love were strong within them;
life might be long before them and golden
There came shouts and the clatter Of hoofs
tho heavy rumble Of ARTILLERY. battery
dashed into the yard and unlimbered behind
the wall. Thereafter crash upon crash shook
The girl gently disengaged her hand.
Now you cannot 60, she murmured.
"Wait till see II it's safe to take you 10 the
attic
She opened the door. pcering down the
stairway A strong resolute voice rose ana
rang clear above the din. ~.
TO the house, Nintcenth Infantry TO
the house!"
.Rack!" cried the girl.
thrust him back and slammed the door.
turning. At the foot Of the stairs an ofhcer
appeared, tall, bronzed, manly--her brother
Il confr n,1t; the girl, sesriLg
H -, betty! II ped you and the OLE, I,fi.o ma. J,
ycu get my letter? Go TO the cellar; you II
:. safe there unless they fire the house
II rry."
she stood with whitening face. staring
blankly. The front Coor was broken II.
ant. through il swarnr u u sweating throns
Short snarping reports sTlit the Lrrcar
A man threw up his haIGs ard. cursing
lunged forward through ,te door way
falling motionlcss. inert. Hs blood silt.
th.ckly over the polished hoor. forming a
"te .ou. i''S,i Of the way, Betty, Men. take
this room ard ba,ricada tho windows"
NO, no. she pleaded. Not there
net thcrc!"
II threw her ae'dc roughly and the
,.oor was thrown opon. ard the othct
rausei. calmly slim figure stepped om
revolver cleaning IN either hahd .ro,,
~ moncntary dumfcuEC'd s. e'
the mars hand moved slowly toward ms
holster.
you surrenGer'-
IN die ilrst!'
The boy sprang forward. The man {
arm straigttcEcG quickly The Rirl struck
few w'd
- .dlss, you've turied tr itorl-
H pushed her from him and s,e@red
back, drawing his sword. TIE boy GCGged
I'D hit him suddenly between the eyes
H fell heavily against the balustrade.
The boy throw himself d>wn the stair.
way, a target for n score OF shots. He
reelCd slightly, but rlunged forward AID
out ,p n the laWi. In q moment he had
gained tho wall-to he swept hack instantly
by hort.e Of men in gray and buttornut.
The rehcl yell shrillcd Upon the air. Men
drunk with The joy Of anticipated victory
sNouted and capcred as they. charged.
I t.oGrs CEG windows of the house spat
lirc a-t. swift ,;,ath.
The line withered and waverd. The
veil died out. The line f'l' back. rall'' d
again was driven bnck .ccmplo tely shattered
Men fought as wild animals to cross the
" wall, frantic q escape thst hell Of slaughter
Tho boy, a. lac reached the top once more
turned and faced the hou e-daring, gal
Liant, deh)nair. lie could SEQ her plainly
standing in the full exposure OF the veranda
absorbed. fearless--and SO sweet.
Something like a sob rose in his throat
We would have waved her a kiss, bit the
hand that went toward his lips stopped al
his breast then came awav with the hand
krrchief her handkerchief crimson with
his blood. He swaved for moment ,the ir
iurched forward. f:nine upon his face,
Slowly, weeping and shuddering. she
came to consciousness.
The battle had passed or and out OF the
valley. Midsummer silence brooded,
broken only by the shrilling and rasping of
insects.
Instinctivel, she covered her face with
her hands She must no, look. she could
not bear it, All the pity of i
She mu,t No; Resolutely
! she forced her hands away. Her eyes
| opened.
He had raised himself upon an elbow
his hand tearing Al his throat. somehow
She reached him and. pillowing his head
upop her breast. loosened the collar Of
| hi, llous"
MY bow" Her lips touched his brow
softly. Can YOU live? Can you?"
Live" Wha; life there was in him
warmed his owes TO alteration. "1dve?"
His voice gat hered strength. Don't you
know a nan can't die after he's been kis@ed d
like that? Live. sweetheart: ! just
reckon will now"
Faint and sweet and clear he far singing
of buglas tremhled on the stiffness. To
thcs.e two il was as had been the rainbow
70 tho prcphet on <rarHt. Gods token and
TTis protnissa for hp fut,rc. And ID held