Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-26

she needed help. | might give 1t to
her. You see, II | die. leave her all
alone"
Ransome suddenly turned and faced
him. He had subdued his emotions.
His face now was as maslilike, as I'M
passive, as ever. the glance OF his
light cold, blue eyes was unwavering.
and when he spoke his voice was still
hard and passlonless. And Lesides."
he looked steadily into Browning's
eyes. won still hope that her love
for you will be so strong that she
Will not find tho courage to marry
! the other man, but instead will come
to you?"
Browning's face went white; but he
did not shift his gaze from the other.
"Yes,' he replied, bowling gravely. 81
still hope that"
81 thought sol"
The words came with q sharp click
rs OF steel. as he rose quickly to his
feet 1t was then for the first time
that Browning became aware of his
change of manner. A look of wonder
flashed across his face as he also rose.
For GREATNESS instant the two mer
stood facing each other Ransome
with deadly look in his cold eyes
Browning with perplexcd stare. At
that Instant there came stir from
the other end of the ROOM One of
tho scouts had returned. bringing the
tidings of their fates. His words
would tell them whether 1t was to be
life or death.
The scout PASSED by the enlisted
men without giving them 80 much rs
glance, and made his way directly
TO whore Captain Ransome was stand
Ing. Then he salutcd.
II was Ransomc who spoke first
! 'Well?" he asked In sharp, hard
voice.
We're In tight box, Capn, and
that's fact" Tho scout uttered the
words lightly enough, broad grin
widening his mouth. Here was
man evidently who faced all things,
even death, tolerantly. These here
red Tueaogs has us boxed in for
! fair"
"Then there is no hopc?" Ransome
broke In.
; u don't 20 as far as that" returned
the man, FOR there Is chance; but
it's only chance. There Is the bed
OF dried up creek running along by
the southeast end of the church. II
leads into wood that's not so close
~ watched as the other ways of es-
cape You can last here for twenty
| four hours easy, and In the meantime
can try and get through by that
. path and bring achievements. I'm
derstand, don't promise to succeed !;
! lat | eau try"
Ransome nodded 81 he listened: ;
; Very good" he said when the other
had done. I'VE shall act upon the
, suggestion YOU OFFER, with one slight
, amendment. You will remain here
[ yon arc too valuable to DO spared
Just now,--and another Will be sent
. to make the attempt to pass through
! the enemy's lines
The words banished for the first
Time the good humored smile from
Z. the others face. All ut once IL had
become grave and set. But. Capn.'
F. nc protested, no other man hut mo
can make II. It's certain death to
send anyone else,7they haven't had
tho bringing up; they don't know the
law of the land"
Ransome remained unmoved at this
speech II prefer to have another
, man make the attempt" he replied
Jelly. "lr he fails,-and we shall
know 1t by hearing the shots,-you
will then have your chance"
The tone In which he spoke coz
WINGED tho scout that this decision
was unnlterablc. Therefore he sa-
luted, and made his way to the mon.
| Browning. amazed ut Ransomo's &C.
ton and unable to understand II,
: stepped forward to his Captains side.
II seemed impossible to believe that
Rnnacme would coldly send man ia
d, certain death for no purpose NJ all.
Captain" he whispered. whom are
YOU going TO send?"
Slowly Ransome turned unit, he
faced him. slowly he raised his cold
; hard eyes until they gazed sauarek
into Browning's own. "You," he said.
4 tense and breathlcss silence fol-
lowed his words. In an instant, IN
tho twnltling of an eye he saw what
he had been blind to. The know.
ledge made his brain reel Present
", however. he rceaincd his self
control. White faced and st,rn. he
leaned forward.
You are the man whom Alice mas
promised to marry?" he whispered.
Ransomc's gaze never waynrcd.
Eyes he snid.
a sudden wave Of passion swept
over Browning. "And YOU mean 10
murder mel" he Kissed through his
clenthed teeth "By God. T." nc
+ took step toward Ransome and
raised his hand Overwhelmingly
The other did not finch He still,
looked him coldly in the eyes. while
MS face remained calm ana impas-
slio' lieutenant Browning YOU
nave heard the orders OF your SUI
perior oficer'" he said sharply. DO