Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-06
RANDnL[ PARRISH

I ton than from any deep interest
Merely as volunteer, and when the
regular nurses were especially busy. Major
Brennan was stationed there for some time
when first visited him, and felt It my
| duty as loyal woman to aid the poor fell
lows"
1T was surely far from being an agree
able task to one Of your refinement"
oh it was was mot not that that made it
slant sight of SO much misery one
was unable to relieve. Besides. that was
nearly a year ago; l was very young
ing was new and terrible to me-"
Il greatly wonder you were permitted to
go there at all.
The major did object He insisted 1t was
no fit place for me, and that I ran the risk
Of contracting disease. But I generally
have my own way. even with him, and in
this case felt 1t a duty to my country
and that / was right in my decision"
1 remained silent, striving vainly to frame
some innocent question which should solve
for me the problem of who and what she
was. Suddenly she spoke softly:
Captain Wayne, I feel / owe you an
apology for my unwarranted and unlady-
like conduct last night. / am very sure
now that you are a gentleman, and will
appreciate how bitterly 1 was tried. how
deeply have ever since regretted 1t.
1t hurt her pride to say even this much
as could tell by her downcast eyes and
heaving bosom, and I fastened to relieve
her embarrassment.
You have nothing whatever to ask for
gdveness for" / said earnestly. Rather
such a request should come from me.
only trust. Miss Brennan. that you will
excuse scu my part in this extremely unfor'u-
She sat looking down upon her plate, her
fingers nervously crumbling bit of corn
bread.
You do not even know who am she
said slowly. II am not Miss but Mrs
Brennan"
felt as If dash of cold water had been
suddenly thrown in my face.
"Indeed?" 1 stammered, scarcely knowing
what said. you appear so young a girl
that l never once thought of you as being
a married woman"
Il was married very early; indeed be-
fore was seventeen. My husband
What she was about to add l could but
conjecture, for quick change In the ex-
preston of her face startled me.
What is it?' 1 questioned, half rising
to my feet. and glancing over my shoulder
toward the wall where her eyes were riv-
eted.
Something resembling a hand pushed
aside the coat hanging yonder," she ex-
thought l saw a face"
With one stride l was across the mar
row room, and tore the garment from its
wooden hook. The log wall where it hung
the steel hflt of my saber. but it returned
perfectly solid sound and 1 glanced
about bewildered. The woman was watch
Ing me with affrighted eyes.
This entire house is uncanny" she ex-
claimed. 1.-THE very being In it makes my
flesh creep. 1t may have been a den of
murderers Captain, let us get outside
into the sunshine"
Believing it to be merely her overWrought
nerves which were at fault, I sought TO
soothe her. 1T was probably no more
than shadow" 1 said. crossing to her
side of the table. to enable her better to
feel the influence of my presence. Let US
be content to sit here by the door for we
should be taking too great a risk of dis
covery If we ventured into the open"
l had barely spoken these words and
placed my fingers on her hand to lead her
forward when the small door which opened
into the shed was thrown back no;sily.
and two great shaggy dogs. the evident
leaped fiercely in. She shrank toward
me with a sob of terror; but even as l
drew revolver from my belt, a man and
woman appeared almost simultaneously
in that same opening
Down, Douglas! down. Roderick. Ha.
There lies Red Murdoch. stark and stiff
down. you brutes; you'll be dead your
selves some time
The man strobe forward as he Snoks
clubbing the frenzied brutes with the
stock of the long rifle he carried
Yelled on the view the opening pack :"
iC quotCu, DIS lc OlSlTTDuteu MS blows
partially to right and left; rock, glen
and cavern paid them back Them thar
be SCOTS words, stranger, an reckon as
how how, e., OF Sir Walter knew whut he wus
wr1tfn bout. Stop tibet blame youlio' yuu
Roderick. er I'll take t'other end o. This
gunter ye."
He redoubled his efforts for peace. finally
driving the rebellious beasts back into one
corner, where they sat upon their launches
and eyed US wistfully.
Two dogs of black Saint Hubort,s
breed, unmatched for courage, breath ard
speed. he exclaimed. wiping the perspira-
tlon from his face with the back If one
breath" ~
lie was fierce-looking little fellow scarce
~ more than half-grown boy In size, with
and head as oddly peak-shaped as l ever
looked upon. 1t went up exactly like the
apex Of pear while the upper portion wa
utterly bald. He formed most remarka-
Die contrast to the tall, aw-boned angular
female who doomed up like a small NOM
tain just behind him.
Il reckon how you uns he'd quite a
bit OF scrap afore We laid tibet thar dorg
lurking in his deep voice. 1.-The fieetest
mound in all the north, an I'm burned if 1
Jst hkes ther way you uns makes yerselves
ct mum In this yere cabin"
"Shet up. Jed Bungay," cut in his better
half. sharply, and as she spoke she caught
the little man unceremonously by one arm
and, thrusting him roughly to one side
strobe heavily forward until she paused in
the center of the room. facing us with her
arms akimbo.
Nov, I'd jist like ter know" she said
savagely, VINO you uns be. a breakin' into
a house, and KILN dorg. an eatn'
up everything we uns got without SO much
as a sayin by yer leave er nuthin' /
reckon as how you uns don't take this
we're cabin fer no TAVERN"
The wrinkled red face peering cautiously
around her ample waist line made me wish
to laugh, but an earnest desire to placate
the irate female. who was evidently the
real head Of this household. enabled me to
conquer the inclination and answer gravely
Madam" said with a low bow, "it is
misfortune. not desire, which has caused us
to trespass upon your hospitality. We will
very gladly pay you literally for any DAM
age done. I am an officer in the confeder-
ate service. and the breaking down of our
horses compelled US to take refuge here In
order that this lady might not be exposed
to danger from rowing gangs of guerrillas
The dog attacked US in the dark. and we