Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-06
CHAPTER VII.
A Disciple of Sir Walter. q

CdAEVEh VII.
A Disciple Of Sir Walter.
have no doubt she wished me to see her
thus. Every woman worth the winning is a
bit Of coQuette. and none can be utterly
tdisdainful Of the lesson their mirror tells
But even as I gazed upon her, my admira-
ton deeper than my pain. the arch express
sion of her face changed: there came a
sudden rush OF pity, Of anxiety into those
clear. challenging eyes. and with one quick
step she drew nearer and bent above me.
"Oh, Captain Wayne she cried, her
warm. womanly hear: conQuering all preju-
dice, you are badly hurt and bleeding
Why did You not tell me? Please let me
aid your"
Il fear l must replied grimly II
would gladly spare you. for indeed do not
cause alarm. but find have only one arm
! can use at present; the brute got his teeth
into the other"
The tender compassion within her eyes
was most pleasant to see.
"Oh. believe me, l can do it," She spoke
bravely, sturdy ring of confidence In the
voice, although at the thought her face
paled. 81 have been in the hospitals at
Baltimore. and taken care Of wounded
soldiers. If there was only some water
here.
She glanced about, dreading the possible
ity of having to go forth into the night
alone in search Of a spring or well.
Il think you will find pail on the bench
yonder,' l said, for from where l leaned
against the wall l could see out into the
shed. 1T was doubtless left for the dog to
drink FROM.
She came back with 1t, tearing down a
cloth from on peg in the wall as she
passed, and then, wearing a resolute air OF
authority. knelt beside me, and with rapid
fingers flung back my jacket, christening
the rough army shirt, and laid bare, so far
as was possible, the lacerated shoulder.
1t gave me intense pain. for the shirt had
become matted to the wound by drying
blood, so that In spite of her soft touch and
my own clinched teeth slight groan broke
from my lips.
Forgive me-" she said anxiously, but 1
fear l can never dress it in this way. We
must remove your jacket and cut away the
sleeve of your shirt
1t was an agonizing operation, for it has
often SeeEied to me that the more super
fetal the wound the greater the pain ex-
perienced in dealing with it. and the per-
spiration stood in beads upon my forehead
as she worked quickly and with Skill. AT
last the disagreeable task was accomplish
ed the wounded shoulder completely barred.
Her face was deathly white now, and she
shielded her eyes with her hand
ooh, what a horrible woundv she ex-
claimed, almost sobbing. How that great
brute must have hurt your
The wound Is not SO serious it ap
pears l replied reassuringly, and glad my
self to feel that spoke the truth, but 1
confess the pain is intense, and makes me
feel somewhat faint. 1t was not so much
the mere bite of the dog, but unfortunately
he got his teeth into an old wound and
tore it open."s
IAN old wound?'
Eyes; / received a Mimic ball there at
Gettysburg, and although the bullet was
extracted, the wound never properly
healed
These words served to recall to her in
stantly the fact that l was not of her own
people; there appeared to come again into
her manner that marked restraint which
had almost totally disappeared during the
last few minutes. Not that she failed in
any kindness or consideration, but grow
ing reserve put check upon what was fast
becoming the intimacy of friendship. Yet
she performed her disa greeable task with
all the tenderness CT sympathetic woman,
and as she worked swiftly and deftly, made
no attempt to conceal the tears clingtng to
her long lashes. Skillfully the deep, Jagged
cash was bathed out, and then as carefully
bound up with the softest cloths she could
find at hand. The relief was great, and 1
felt, as l moved the shoulder, that saving
the soreness it would probably not greatly
bother me.
Now you must lie back and rest" she
said. commandingly, as l attempted to
thank her. Here; put your head on this
cloak But first 1t will do you good to
have more of the brandy, for you are as
white as DEATH
Merely a slight faintness; and 1 will
only consent to indulge provided you par
take first, for know you require the slim
ulant as much as l." I retorted doggedly,
gazing up into her face with an admira-
ton she could scarcely fail to perceive.
She lifted the flask to her lips and did
not answer, but when she handed 1t back
to me there was a new flush upon her
cheeks.
and now as your nurse I command abb
solute quiet striving to speak gaily See,
the daylight is already here, and / mean to
discover if this lone cabin contains anything
which human beings can eat; l confess that
1 nearly famshed"
"A most excellent symptom and 1 i'm
agine your quest will not be wholly vain.
To my eye that greatly resembles slab of
bacon hanging beside the chimney"
1T indeed is she exclaimed land I
feel as a shipwrecked seaman must on
first beholding land
However my naturally energetic spirit re-
volted at inactivity. for the time being my
faintness precluded any thought of doing
other than obeying her orders, and l lay
there silent, propped up against the logs,
my eager eyes following her rapid, grace
full movements with constantly increasing
interest. AS she worked the reflection of
the red flames became mingled with the
gray dawn, until the bare and cherries in
terror grew more and more visible. Her
search was far from unsuccessful, while
her resourcefulness astonished me, old cam
paigner as l was; for it was scarcely more
than full daylight before she had me at
the table, and I was doing full justice to
such coarse food as the larder furnished. A
confederate soldier in those days could not
well afford to affect delicacy in matters of
the cuisine, and indeed our long fast had
left us both where any kind Of food was
most welcome.
The eating helped me greatly, but for
some time so busy were we that neither of
US spoke. On my own part experienced
a strange hesitancy In addressing her upon
terms Of equality. Ordinarily not easily
embarrassed in feminine society, / felt in
this instance a definite barrier between u.s.
which prevented my feeling at ease Now
and then as we sat opposite each other
eating amid silence most unpleasant /
would catch her eyes glancing across at
me. but they were lowered instantly when.
ever l ventured to meet them. Finally I
broke the stiffness with commonplace re-
mark
II presume your people will be greatly
worried by this time over your mysterious
disappearance"
flush swept over her throat and cheeks.
but she did not lift her eyes from the
plate. Yes she answered slowly, Frank
is doubtless searching for me long before
this
Frank" asked. feeling glad of this op-
portunity to learn more Of her relation
ships. You forget, possibly, that your
friends are strange to me. You refer to
the gentleman who expected to meet you
on the road?'
ITO Major Brennan. yes"
There was nothing about the tone Of her