Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-31
CHAPTER XVIII.
We Capture a Courier.

We Capture Courier.
The girls light burst of laughter aroused
me thoroughly to a sense Of our situation.
You seem to derive much amusement
from a condition of affairs almost intole'a-
BILE. to, mel said bitterly. Il have always
valued most highly the friendship of Mrs.
Brennan but this unfortunate occurrence
will doubtless end tn
She glanced up at me, her long lashes
wet, but her dark eyes sparkling with mis-
chief. -,'-
ooh, she won't care SO far as you are
concerned" she exclaimed indifferently.
.'But / suppose she will think I am per-
fectly horrid.s Well, I don't care If she
does; she might have waited and learned
the truth first Wasn't her face study?
And how shall 1 ever explain to Arthur so
he will understand? I'm sure have got
the worst of it. Oh, Captain Wayne is my
hair all ruff1ed up? I know I look like a
fright. You must come in now. and We
will explain to Mrs Brennan the whole
matter She cannot help believing us both,
while l know she would be so cold and
proud with me alone.
! shook my head decisively. Perhaps it
was better ended so; at least l pos
sessed no courage just then to face her
indignation. She might but deem we
had concocted our explanation and would
very likely receive it with all the scorn
she felt it deserved. Besides, 1t was
clear there was nothing 1 could do to aid
them l should be now merely an unwel-
come intruder. An escort was to be there
shortly to convoy them northward, and for
me to be found in their company by Bren-
nan would only infiame him and add great
ly to the embarrassment of his wifes po-
sition Much as 1 might long for imme-
date vindication in her sight. the plain
duty Of true love was to depart at once, and
permit time to straighten out the tangle.
You must pardon me-" I fastened to
say, standing hat in hand before her, but
1t would not be best for me to intrude upon
Mrs. Brennan after her late reception. I
merely halted here in order to assure my
self of your presence and safety. My men
are even now waiting for me a few hun
dred yards away.
But l wish you to meet Arthur"
"Oh. think not, Miss Minor. I feel warm
friendship for Lieut.. Cation. but we wear
different uniforms, serve under different
forces behind us, would naturally have to
be hostile one. However the lieutenant
and might consent to a temporary truce,
his superior officer, Major Brennan, would
not likely prove of the same mind"
Then you really must go?''
"Unless you specially desire to witness
a cavalry skirmish in your front dooryard.
I certainly consider it best" and held out
my hand. Surely we part as friends. and
I may hope that you will intercede in my
behalf with Mrs. Brennan"
She rose up impulsively.
How ridiculous; now supremely Tidicu-
lous! Why, OF course WILL thoush l oon {
suppose Edith really cares very much, put
she believed 1t would be highly proper to be
shocked I = don't think she likes you SO
very we'll anyway, captain wayne Tor sne
never viii talk about YOU
With these cheering WORDS ringing IN nay
ears, and feeling thoroughly defeated In
every cherished hope. l STROBE savagely
down the long hill ana mounted my morse.
How roughly fortune nao Dune,ed me, 70 De
sure. and how extremely smail tne inspiIa-
ton left. Wen. perhaps deserVeo II Ior
ever permitting myself TO love one wnom