Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-03
CHAPTER XXI.
A Conversation in the Dark.

eoiuiieoS, IHuiHerence, possibly even IeSehe-
ment at my presuming to approach her,
was instead greeted by an unstudied
warmth of welcome that made my heart
beat fercely.
Surely l am not mistaken" she ques-
toned, rendered doubtful by. my silence.
Is not this Captain Wayne?
There is no mistake" l fastened TO as
sure her. but 1 had anticipated from our
last meeting a far less cordial greeting.
oh" she exclaimed with a light laugh
and is that all? Yet surely, IT L was to
believe my own eyes was perfectly Justi-
fled in my actions then. However, cap
tain. L have been forced to realize the
truth of that situation. and am now dis.
posed to make ,rp to you in kindness for all
my unjust susptcions'
Il am more than delighted to learn that
cloud is no longer to overshadow us. Miss
Minor has made full explanation, then!
You have been completely eXoherateo
and restored to my good graces.
AS she spoke, became aware that she
was busily engaged upon some task. and
when she ended l felt the steel of gun
barrel touch my hand.
please pass this to Maria, she said
calmly, and hand me back the one she
has
You are loading them 1 asked, as
complied with her request.
I'VE have all been busy. Isn't 1t terrible!
1 was so frightened al first, but now they
tell me that you and your men have come,
there is no longer danger OF those horrible
creatures SeItlnS III mere
You knew, then, that L was in the
house,"
Il was told some noble confederates had
accompanied Lieutenant Cation back to aid
us. but your name was not mentioned.
Then my appearance must have proven
complete surprise?"
Yes, and no." she answered frankly.
Il was not sure it was you, of course, and
l did not venture to ask, but | knew you
were in the neighborhood, and that such
an act would be in every way character
istic. 1 was certain you would come If you
knew, and IL well really, l hoped it
was.
In spite of a slight effort at restraint
CROPPED in the darkness until touched her
hand. For the moment she permitted me
to retain it, as if unconsciously, within my
"Why?" I questioned. scarcely relying
upon my own voice.
oh. one always trusts friends more
readily than strangers, and have seen you
in danger before, and possess such con1l-
dence in your courage and resource.
But Miss Minor took particular care to
inform me you felt little or no interest in
me-that you never even spoke of me eX-
cept as she compelled you to do So"
For moment she did not answer.
and then with a light laugh said:
Did she, really? How very kind of
her, and how extremely intimate you
frank a confession. However, Captain
Wayne, you must not give credence to all
you hear about me, even from Celia. You
know one does not usually give public eX-
l can assure you / have always been most
deeply interested whenever you were the
subject of our conversations.
HE, words made me feel ] might be 1n
Intruder your privacy,
You are never that. Cold as l appeared
only few hours ago, 1 was yet thinking of
you as l entered the arbor. Perhaps that
was why the sight meeting my eyes proved
such q shock"
Possibly she felt our conversation growing
dangerously intimate, for in the silence
which ensued she gently withdrew her
hand. AS she did so my fingers CHANGED to
touch the plain gold ring she wore. 1t was
like a dash of water in my taee and in
stantly brought back 20 me Our common
danger
How constant the FIRM, continues" she
said at last as l sat struggling dumbly
with temptation.
"A mere waste of powder, fear was my
reply, given thoughtlessly. when the rush
finally comes we are likely % be without
sufficient ammunition to repel it
when the rush cofnes?" she echoed in
startled tone. DO you expect an assault?
II hardly expect Those fellows out there
will ever leave without a most determined
effort to carry the house by storm. They
are here for plumber, and will not be bafhed
easily, nor will the leaders hesitate to sacri-
flce any number of lives TO gain their end,
especially now that desire for revenge has
been added to the original lust for spolls L
nave been among them, yoa know, and
learned enough of their power, organiZa-
ton and leadership to convince me they
will never raise the siege until they exhaust
every resource. l have no DOUBT they are
simply drawing all this fire in the hope hat
our ammunition will thus be uselessly ex-
pended. 1t is old army trick, aud one
/ am surprised to see so experienced an
officer as Major Brennan yield to- In my
judgment they will make an effort to
rush us as soon as there is sufficient light
hwy
/ smiled to myself at the naive question.
Surely it could not be possible she remained
ignorant of the feud existing between US.
She had twice witnessed our hostile meet
had last parted.
major brennan would scarcely welcome
any interference on my part.
But surely as a soldier, he must
value the advice of another sridier?"
POSSIBLY you forget" l explained, striv-
ing to speak as lightly of it as might be.
that there is a lack of friendship between
Major Brennan and myself.
"Still?" she asked. ''Truly thought that
might all be over. Even if it survived until
now this noble act of yours in coming to our
defense should have earned you his graft
tude. He-he has never once mentioned
yol,r name to me since that night
Not even when l came here with my
troop, L believer"
fact with the other. l supposed 1t
mere oversight. or that he believed the
mention of your name would not greatly
interest me Surely, Captain Wayne, you
are not keeping open this unhappy wound?'
"On nv word, no; but regret to confess
# is very far from being closed"
..He-Maior Brennan does not know,
then that YOU are here now with me-? She
evidently hesitated to ask this question.
"Certainly not, in surprise at her appar-
ant innocence. "You cannot have supposed
7 had been sent here by him to talk with
you?'
I'll did not know. I do not think l
reaJized" she stammered, Vainly seeking
for words with which to make clear her be-
wiIderment II imagined you might have
come AT his suggestion to see that we were
amnIv protected This is all very
strange He does not even know you are
here with us?'
.:No," admitted reluctantly. Perhaps |
have no excuse even for being here at all.
NV duty as a soldier is certainly elsewhere,
Int I could not rest content until l knew
YOU were in a position of safety. Believe
me. Mrs. Brennan, 1 have intended no in
discretion. but l was informed by a soldier
that YOU were being held here under fire.
IT would have been useless for me to APP
peal to the major for information, and
felt | must know the truth. If have erred
in this can only plead the deep interest
have always had In your welfare
Her hand touched mine impulsively, and
it was warm and throbbing.
Il can merely thank you with all my
heart Captain Wayne, and assure you |
both understand and appreciate your pur-