The Lamar register., 1911-12-13

1 possessed no courage just tnem 10
face her Indignation. She might but
deem we had concocted our explana-
ton, and would very likely receive it
with all the scorn she felt 1t deserved.
Besides, II was clear there was moth
ing / could do to aid them. / should
be now merely an unwelcome intru-
der. An escort was to be there short
ly to convoy them northward. and for
me TO be found In their company by
Brennan would only infiame him and
add greatly to the embarrassment of
long for immediate 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-" hastened
to say, standing hat In hand before
her. but 1t would not be best for
me to intrude upon Mrs. Brennan aft
er her late reception. l merely halt
ed here in order to assure myself OF
your presence and safety. My men
are even now waiting for me a few
hundred yards away
But l wish you to meet Arthur"
warm friendship for Lieutenant Cation.
but We wear different uniforms. serve
under different flags. and q meeting
here, both with armed forces behind
US, would naturally have to be a hos
tile one. However the Lieutenant and
l might consent TO temporary truce.
his superior ofnosr. Major Brennan.
would not likely prove of the same
mind"
Then you really must got"
Unless you specially desire to wit
ness a cavalry skirmish in your front
dooryard, l 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; how supremacy RI
diculous, Why. Of course will.
though I don't suppose Edith really
cares very much. but she believed It
would be highly proper to be shocked.
| don't think she likes you SO very
well anyway. Captain Wayne. for she
never will talk about you
With these cheering words ringing
in my ears. and feeling thoroughly de-
feated in every cherished hope, l
strobe savagely down the long hill and
mounted my horse. How roughly for
tune had suffeted me. to be sure. and
how extremely small the inspiration
left. Well, perhaps | deserved II for
ever permitting myself to love one
whom l knew to be the wife Of an
other. Doubtless she had seized upon
this slight pretext to be rid OF me.
and was already rejoicing over its
easy accomplishment
In my agitation forgot entirely the
presence of Maria Bungay at the
house. and ordering my men into sad
die prepared for departure without
giving "A thought to the little fellow
and his domestic troubles. chose
the road leading toward the north
west. for although had not asked the
question | conceived II highly proba BILE
that brennan and his party would ride
from the Federal calvary quarters at
Golfers Church. and I had no desire
to meet them. They were upon an
GRAND of mercy Of far greater impor-
lance than my revenge.
As we swung along through the
heavily timbered land fringing our
road, Bungay pressed his mule into q
trot and finally succeeded in ranging
up at my side. Even In my disturbed
mental conuiuon / was sinnsAn =
unique style of riding. although !
would not wound him by laughing.
~ say, Cap" he said. jerking tho
words out to the mules hard trot, and
grasping his saddle pommel desper.
ately. Il sorter reckon as how ther'll
be some fun back thar afore long less
all signs fail"
"Why?" I stared at him. now thor
oughly aroused to the thought that
he had important news to communi-
cate.
WAL" he explained slowly. "whin
We whit OF. I sorter TUX a notion ter
look bout a bit. Used ter be an oil
stompin' ground O. mine. So Dutchy
an me clumb tibet big hill back O.
whar we halted. and by gum. down
thar in Their gully on T. other side
thar's a burned big camp O. fellers."
refined up short. and with uplifted
hand signalled the men behind to