The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-12-16
CHAPTER xxxlll.
After the STRUGGLE,

After the Struggle.
A young officer, whose red face was
rendered extremely conspicuous by
the blue of his uniform, led the rush
of his soldiers as they came tumblins
CALAMITY into the hall.
Cup there, men!" he cried, catch.
ing sight of me, and pointing. Get
that Johnny with the girl"
AS they sprang eagerly forward over
the dead bodies littering the floor at
the foot Of the stairs, Brennan scram.
bled unsteadily to his feet, and halted
them with imperious gesture.
Leave him alone!" he command.
ed. "That is the commander of the
Confederate detachment who came to
our aid. The guerillas have fed down
the hallway, and are most Of them
outside by now. Wayne" he turned
and glanced up at us, his face instant
ly darkening at the tableau, kindly
assist the ladies to descend; we must
get them out of this shambles."
He lifted them one by one and with
ceremonies politeness across the
CHASTITY pile of dead and wounded men.
Escort them to the library" he
suggested, as hesitated. THAT room
will probably be found clear"
was somewhat surprised that Bren-
nan should not have come personally
to the aid of his wife, but as he ig-
nored her presence utterly, at once
offered her my arm, and silently led
the way to the room designated, the
others following as best they might.
The apartment was unoccupied, exhib.
iting no signs Of the late struggle, and
found comfortable resting places for
all. Miss Minor was yet sobbing soft
ly, her face hidden upon her moth
er's shoulder, and felt constrained
to speak with her.
II shall go at once" said kindly,
ito ascertain all can regarding Lieu
tenant Cation, and will bring you
word"
She thanked me with glance of
her dark eyes clouded with tears, but
as turned hastily away to execute
this errand, Mrs. Brennan laid re-
straining hand upon my arm.
Captain Wayne" she said with
much seriousness, you are very I'M
selfish, but you must not 60 until
your own wounds have been attended
to; they may be far more serious
than you apprehend."
AS gazed at her, surprised by the
anxiety she so openly displayed, 1
CHANGED to behold myself reflected
within large mirror directly across
the room. One glance was sufficient
to convince me her words were fully
justified. My remains of uniform lit
orally chung to me in rags, my bare
shoulder looked q confused mass of
battered flesh, my hair was matted,
and my face blackened by powder
stains and streaked with blood.
Il certainly do appear disreputable
enough" l admitted; "but can as
sure you it is nothing sufficiently Sc
rious TO require immediate attention"
Al stepped without and closed the
uocr behind me, was at once start
led by the rapid firing of shot from
the rear of the house, and the next
moment encountered the young, red
faced officer hurrying along the hall
way at the head squad of Federal
cavalrymen. Recognizing me in tho
gloom Of the passage he paused sud
denly.
Il owe you belated apology, Cap
TAIN" he exclaimed cordially, "for hav-
ing mistaken you for one of those mis-
creants, but really your appearance
was not fattering."
Having viewed myself since within
a mirror" replied, II am prepared to
acknowledge the mistake a most nat.
ural one. However, ] am grateful to
be out of the scrape, and can scarcely
find fault with my rescuers Five min.
utes more would have witnessed the
end"
I'VE rode hard" he said, "and were
in saddle within fifteen minutes after
the arrival of your courier. You evi.
IDENTITY made a hard fight Of It: the