Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-03
81 RANDALL PARRISH

sudden rush of feeling: NO friend stands
hisner in my esteem than you-now please
go, Captain Wayne"
AS l crept back through the darkness,
passing beneath the piano into the front
room, which was filled with the choking
Tunes OF powder. my mind was chaos of
emotions impossible to analyze The touch
or her soft hand was yet warm upon me-
ana her manner, well as her words,
caused my blood to leap riotously in my
veins. What did this woman mean Was
1t possible she loved me- and was fighting
even as L, to conquer a passion that could
neseI pe realized? which had no right to
ehist: surely, young and fair as she was
sHe could be no vain and shallow coouette
eh'urlns upon Irritation for the mere ex-
cltement of it? The calm self-possession
o. net nature, her marked pride and
openSth OF character slammed this
as impossible. Honesty and nnra trna
Woinahhood We're woven into her every
"oro ana act; that indefinabe some hing
ber III, al men feel and respect was about
aei me an atmosphere; to doubt her for
an instant was beyond my power. Yet She
had mace me feel l was more to her than
fo mere friend. longed to go back, to pour
Iorth those words | had struggled co hord
not to speak, to urge the high law Of mn
tual loVe as final arbiter of our DESTINY
bul no! simply could not Honor chained
80, l1, anu i tne depth of my respect would
never permit of her humiliation If she had
pecome weak. all the more reason WHY
shoola remain strong. The very depth of
rove winch drew me to her operated now in
knows q oil
III me darkness as l continued to move
SLOWLY away from her and toward the door
~ ueep' lhoeed, was my agitation so in
tense my thought, that 1 scarcely realized
l was creeping along barely beneath the
dead line of those bullets which constantly
swept the apartment Their crashing into
the wall was almost meaningless, and |
barely noted either the dense smoke or tha
ntfui flashes of flame as the little garrison
returned shot for shot 1t was Brennan's
soicT-HoW hateful 1t sounded then-which
recalled my attention.
Mapes," he said with the sbarr +ona of
Weafled command, take a crack at that
ielioW over yonder by the big tree: he must
t De IN range. You men, l verify believe, shut
your eyes when you shoot. for there hasn't
hour -
had reached the door by this time. but
paused now, determined to venture one
WoId or eXpoStulation at his recklessness
Major Brennan" / said, speaking suffi-
gently loud to be audible above the uproar.
40 you not think they will attempt to
charge the house?'
Not while we keep I'D this fire :, be ra
turned coldly, evidently recognizing my
voice. -'
grant that, at least while darkness
lasts. But you have lust complained that
your men were doing but small execution
ana IS there not danger of exhausting our
STOCK OF ammunition by such a useless flu
sillade?''
1T will last until our fellows get here
that is, it your man was ever really sent for
aid as you say
There was thinly yelled sheer in the
temper.
We'll, in my judgment strand tell it
you because L deem it a duty''-I retorted
PLAINLY, you are making a grave mistake
Wnlch you may realize when it becomes too
late to rectify it. Possibly | have no right
10 crltcise one who is technically in COM
nand; yet am serving as a volunteer and
me CONDITIONS are peculiar. / not only re-
wifi
nnes out yonder, but also recall the fact
that We are here to fulfill sacred duty
the defense of helpless women from out
rage a fatal mistake upon our part would
be horrible"
our deep interest in the welfare of the
ladies is purely chivalric, l presume o.
II Is merely the interest true soldier
must always feel l responded determined
not to be goaded into a quarrel Il have
helthef wife nor sister, but l have a
mother"
Very well, sir''-and his tone was rough
and overbearing-'the kindly recall your
Soldlerly instincts to another little matter
chance to command here by authority
OF rank, and hold myself responsible for the
proper defense of this portion Of the
house. believe you have already been as
signed your duties; if you will attend to
them shall be greatly obliged, and when
ever | may desire your valuable advice I
shall take pleasure in sending for you"
have often wondered since how I con-
trolled myself; yet 1 did, biting my lip till
the blood came, a fair, reproachful face
ever before my eyes.
Il shall obey your ORDERS, managed to
say, with calmness, so soon as could con-
troll my voice to speak at all, but shall
hold myself, and my men, prepared for a
call here at any moment"
LAS you please with an Unsurpassed
sneer. Il have always found you exceed
ingly anxious to be with the ladies'. In
deed, l have wondered if you might not
prove a modern illustration of that ancient
worthy whose best boast was but to wear
braid of his fair lady's hair
1 turned away in silence and strobe back
room remained as ] had left it. and when
l lay down in my old position and peered
out through the broken blind could mark
no change in the appearance of our be-
siegerS.
(To be continued tomorrow