The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-15

He had started forward. She barred
his way with outstretched arms.
NO, no. Don't-I can't let you"
why" he argued II may escape
in the confusion. And if 1 hadnt-re-
member, it'll be but one rebel the less"
'Ah, don't! I-I-you-"
She looked up appealing timid,
shrinking; and deep in her eyes he saw
the kindling of what might be a great
| light, glowing steadily A mighty
wave of tenderness and desire caught
and we'll nigh swept him off his feet.
| He lOnged to crush her within his arms,
I to hold close to him that slender form
| vibrant with the. soft awakening of a
virgin heart.
And: afar. honor and duty called.
A crushing volley of musketry
brought him to his senses.
Let me CO." he urged. Let me go.
l should have gone when you told me
| TO. L was cur to delay. But-but-"
Yes she whispered.
IF this war-when it's over-it can't
last forever, you know-when things
are Strengthened out-well, we won't be
enemies then. will we?"
NO"
And may come back-if live?"
Yes she breathed. and hung her
! head. GO, since you must. and come
back If YOU care to-then.' -
If I care to! But you-?"
She made no answer, more than to
smile bravely up at him He stooped
and took her hand. humbly pressing it
! to his lips.
They were very young. Romance and
the love of love were strong within
them; life might be long before them,
and golden.
There came shouts and the clatter
of hoofs, the heavy rumble of artii-
/ lery. A battery dashed into the yard
and unlimbered behind the wall
| Thereafter crash upon ash shook the
! house.
The girl gently disengaged her
hand.
Now you cannot 60" she murmur-
ed. Wait till see if it's safe to take
you to the attic" She opened the
do0r, peering down the stairway
A strong resolute voice rose and
rang clear above the din.
TO the house, Nineteenth Infantry!
| To the house,"
"Back!' cried the girl. The boy
hesitated. By main force she thrust
him back and slammed the door.
! turning. At the foot of the stairs an
officer appeared, tall, bronzed, manly
her brother.
This way, mem" he cried, dashing
up. He confronted the girl, gasping.
Hello, Betty. Hoped you and the old
man d be in the North by this time
Didn't you get my letter? Go to the
cellar; you'll be safe there unless they
| fire the house. Hurry"
She stood with whitening face, star
| ing blankly. The front door was
broken in, and through it swarmed a
sweating throng. Short swapping re-
ports split the uproar. A man threw
up his hands and, cursing, lunged for
ward through the doorway, falling
motionless, inert. His blood slid thick
! ly over the polished floor forming a
little pool.
''Out of the way, Bette! Men, take
this room and barricade the win
dows!"
mo, no." she pleaded. mot there,
not therei"
He threw her aside roughly and the
door was thrown open, and the officer
paused. Clamly a slim figure stepped
out, revolver cleaning in either
hand.
| In momentary dumbfounded silence
the mans hand moved slowly toward
his holster.
| you surrender"
I'll die first!'
The boy sprang forward The mans
arm Strengthened quickly. The girl
|
the shot flew wide.
80, Miss, you've turned traitorv"
He pushed her from him and stepped
| back, drawing his sword The bow
lodged and hit him suddenly between
the eyes. He fell heavily against the
| balustrade.
The boy threw himself down the
stairway, target for a score of shots.
| He reeled slightly, but plunged for
ward and out upon the lawn In
moment he had gained the wal-to
be swept back instantly by a horde of
men in grey and butternut The rebel
yell shrilled upon the air. Men drunk
with the joy of anticipated victory
shouted and capered as they charged.
The doors and windows of the house
spat fire and swift death. The line
withered and wavered. The yell died
out. The line fell back, rallied, again
was driven back, completely shattered
Men fought as wild animals to cross
the wall, frantic to escape that hell
of slaughter. The boy, as he reached
the top once more, turned and faced
| the house-daring, gallant, debonaire.
He could see her plainly standing in
the full exposure of the veranda, alb
| Sorbed, fearless-and so sweet. Some
thing very like a sob rose in his throat
He would haYe waved her a kiss, but
the hand that went toward his lips
stopped at mis- breast, then came away
with the handkerchief-her handker-
chief-crimsoned with his blood. He
swayed for a moment, then lurched
forward, falling upon his face.
Slowly, weeping and shuddering, she
| came to consciousness.
The battle had passed on and out
of the valley. Midsummer silence
brooded. broken only by the shrilling
and rasping of insects.
Instinctively she covered her face
with her hands. She must not look,
she could not bear IL All, the
| pity of IT, She must not
Resoiutely she forced her hands
away. Her eyes opened.
He had raised himself upon an elbow.
his hand tearing at his throat Some
| how she reached him and. plllowing
| his head upon her breast. loosened the
collar OF his blouse.
MY boy" Her lips touched his brow
softly "can you live? Can your