The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-13

CT spot and sent my shoe crashing through the glass; A musket boomed from the blacl hadOw of the grape arbor, the leaden messenger chugging Into the wood just above my head. Two carbines parked from a window of the lower floor, their flame showing like red gash in the night. l stuck my leg through the shattered pane, felt the clasp with my shoe and pressedit back. An instant later, with foot and hand, I had forced down the sash and swung my body in through the open ing.
 It was ticklish job to let go my grip on the gutter, but my left hand found purchase on the frame of the window, and I squirmed in inch by inch. expecting every instant second shot from the fellow in the arbor. As I finally dropped to the floor his mus ket exploded, the bullet singing through the open window, burying itself in the ceiling and showering me with plas- ter.
 The sharp responsive crack of the carbines proved the troopers below alert, while yell of surprise and pain made me hopeful that one of their shots had reached the mark.
 The noise of crashing glass and my fall to the floor would hardly alarm the girl, even if she remained on guard in the hall, as there had been so much of similar disturbance during the past half-hour. If the door of this room was unlocked, and I could surprise her; the rest would be easily accom- plished. crossed the room softly, and tried the knob, which yielded. Looking first toward the fireplace saw nothing, and it was moment or two before perceived her, sitting on a low stool, the cooked carbine across her knees, at the head of the stairs. Instantly l comprehended her pur- pose.
 Confident that both O'Brien and were securely caged and that Don- aid would lead his men into the house by way of the secret passage, she was waiting to defend the stairs, to prevent any search of the second story.
 She was sufficiently in earnest, no doubt; indeed, the intenseness of her attitude, the grip of her fingers on the weapon, her very posture, exhib- ited determination. And yet the women in her was equally apparent the quick trembling of her shoulders, the occasional uplifting of one hand as if she swept aside gathering tears. l could perceive one white cheek, and the fluffy brown of her hair, although the light was so dim that she seemed little more than shadow. In that mo- ment of indecision would have given the world to go to her, to clasp her in my arms and stand beside her through right or wrong. She could respect and admire worthy enemy, but she would despise weaklfng, even if his lack of manhood came through love of her. Besides, she was doing this for Donald. She had said this was war, and I would bear my part in it.,
 Even as she leaped to her feet, giv- fear, I had grasped the barrel of her gun and held it safely.
 ''You said, Miss Denslow, this was war;" I began sternly, "and now it k is my turn. Give me the carbine." She released her grasp of it, her eyes on my face. They were not angry, but soft from unshed tears.
 "I-I am sorry" stammered lame 1y. "that I must hold you prisoner, I,r,f vyo,x bova foo donooroy1c to be permitted to go free"
 How did you get here? Where did you come from?" she questioned.
 "I came out through the window of one room and in through the window of another. Some of your friends shot at me, but their marksmanship was poor. You must have a pretty low opinion of Yankees to suppose one would lie idle very long under lock and key
 She sank back upon the chair, her face buried in her hands. A wave of pity swept over ne.
 Don't be angry" I urged
 "I am not angry at you," and she looked up at me, the tears visible. "I respect you more because you have not yielded. But-but have failed-failed utterly. am angry with myself, hu- initiated, miserable"
 There was a noise behind, and I wheeled about quickly, throwing up the carbine. O'Brien stood in the door way through which I had come, star ing at us.
 T got toired waitin', sor," he said. ''so l thried me luck at the gutter route"
 'very good" returned, driven by his presence to action. .'And now, Miss Denslow, shall be compelled to lock you up for awhile"
 She rose to her feet, no longer look Ing at me.
 "Wherew
 "The room you were in when I first came upstairs"
 "Verv