Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-14

should have gone when you told me to.
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 enc
mics. then, will we?'
"And may come back-if liver,
Yes" she breathed, and hung her head.
go. since you must, and come back if you
care to-then."
She made no answer. more than to smile
bravely up at him. He stopped and took
her hand. humhly pressing it to his lips.
They are 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 artillery. A bat
| terry dashed into the yard and unlimbered
behind the wall. Thereafter crash upon
crash shook the house
The girl gently disengaged her hand
Now you cannot CO." she murmured.
wait till I see if it's safe to take you to
the attic" She opened the door, peering
| down the stairway.
strong, resolute voice rose and rang
clear above the din.
ITO the house, Nineteenth Infantry! To
| the house,"
"Back!" cried the girl. The boy hesitated.
| slammed the door, turning. At the foot
Of the stairs an officer appeared, tall,
| bronzed, manly-her brother.
This way, menu 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, staring
blankly. The front door was broken in,
and through it swarmed sweating throng.
Short swapping reports split the uproar. A
man threw up his hands. and. cursing,
ing motionless. inert. His blood slid thickly
over the polished floor, forming little pool.
"Out of the way. Bette! Men, take this
room and barricade the windowsr'
mo: no." she pleaded. Not there. not
He threw her aside roughly and the door
was thrown open. and the officer paused.
Calmly slim figure stepped out. a revolver
cleaning in either hand
In momentary dumbfounded silence the
mans hand moved slowly toward his
holster.
you surrender?'
'sIll die firStr'
The boy sprang forward. The mans arm
Strengthened quickly. The girl struck it as
he pressed the trigger and the shot flew
wide.
$50. miss. you've turned traitorw He
pushed her from him and stepped back.
drawing his sword. The boy lodged and
hit him suddenly between the eyes, He fell
heavily against the balustrade
Inc boy Threw himself down the stairway
target for a score of shots. He reeled
slightly, but plunged forward and out upon
the lawn. In a moment he had gained the
wall-to be swept back instantly by horde
of men in gray 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 wayered The
yell died out. The line fell back. complete
ly 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
her plainly standing In the full exposure Of
sweet. Something very like a sob rose In
his throat. He would have waved her
kiss. but the hand that went toward his lips
stopped at his breast. then came away with
a fandkerchief-her Observation-Disclosures
ed with his blood. He swayed for a mo-
ment, 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. bro
ken only by the shrilling and rasping of in
sects.
Instinctively she covered her face with
her hands. She must not look. she could
not bear 1t. All. the pity of it! She must
not. Resolutely she forced her hands away.
Her eyes opened.
He had raised himself upon an elbow, has
hand tearing at his throat. Somehow she