Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-08-23

a given point for starli SuioA'
mad charge;
Just beyond the woods faint inai-
cation Of a sentry was dlscsEned IN y
half defined shadow. The Lieutenant
stopped his iren with both arms out
stretched as he paused IN his HaeA'
Mentally the leader was singing the
rythmie song and his blood surgsd III
a spiritual drunkenness through ms
veins.
A brief instant of hesitation, then
there was the fsintest signal OF ringing
steel ON. theSnight air as The ofilcsr
sword wass drawn. Catching up the
impeding scsbbard the leader moved
toward the sc OF the wood. The little
band, deploying, came out of the deep
er shadows in long line, ranged
against the whole face of the opposing
force. Not word was spoken, there
was not cheer, not sound but the
sudden, whistling swish OF the assail-
ina line. In the silent advance the cut
nosts of tho enemy were half demeral-
lied by the sense of an unrecEehed
and unestimated danger.
4 preliminary, resisting shot OF hap
hazard defence brought voiley In re-
turn. Then, with muskeis clunosd on
n double quick, the assailants deter
mined the nature of the fight,
AT that instant just one thrilling
aCharge!" was ordered. 1t came ireAl
the lieutenant, and it was keyed IN
she sharp, enthralling harmony OF the
song.
II was over soon. The charge Itself
became wild pursuit. The lieutenant
still led the way until-the sword slip
ped from his fingers and he sank mead
long into the soft mud and lay still un-
til his men hurried on.
II was hours after, and another DAY,
when the lieutenant's eyes opened
with intelligence. For few minutes
his glance ranged about sunny room
in questioning way. From the couch
where he lay he could see but pant OF
the room land as he strove to turn NM
self a quiet figure came quickly TO MS
side Then his eyes looked straight up
into those of a woman. There came an
other wondering question into ms
glance and great, glad establishment
TO find her there. but his lips formed
different query.
"The fight?' he asked, weakly, and
with the brevity of spent strength.
"Your colonel is here she said,
with q smile, as she drew a little near
err. sand he bids me say that this day
surely makes you captain ana a
hero.
And the men-my menu he
begged
..rwo wounded and yourself 40 tn
ing worse, she replied, softly.
III was the song we heard In the
rain and the might he told her, in
whisper. "Sing it sing it again for
me-
His ewes were closed as the song
ceased and she came back to oeno over
him. suddenly he looked at her ana
with passionate gesture, took her
hand in his.
"Last night he said, ''it thrilled
me to conquer al army, If need be-
and now ii makes me bold for myself.
Last night l cursed the fates that tsck
me from YOU before | could tell you
how | cared for you. would have lost
that fight-heaven forgive me! would
have murdered my men in my weak
ness and Ihomesick longing. IL was
Your song, that wonderful song, which
gave me strength; and it gives rae
courage now 10 brave your verdiet-to
tell YOU that | love you better than
ANYTHING i'll all this world Arc you
glad? Say you are
l am glad, she murmured, with
word of earnestness. "Fhe song was
All Tor YOU. / was thinking Of you
through it all. p"
She looked at him with greas-syea
pride for an instant. Then sho laid her
cheek on his pillow. One cool, soft
hand stole to his face and the white
tingers rested on his lips.
"Igwas trying TO bring you oact,
she whispered, "te tell me-that-you
cared,