Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-11-24

resistance and his own jealous hatred.
he thrust the woman aside SO rudely
mat she fell forward upon one knee.
Ills revolver was yet in his right
hand, cleaning in the starlight, but
before he could raise or fire it | had
grasped the steel barrel firmly. and
the hammer came down noiselssly
upon the flesh of my thumb. The next
instant We We're locked close together
IN fierce struggle for the mastery. He
was the heavier, stronger man: the
younger and quicker From the first
every effort on both sides was put
forth solely to gain command of the
weapon-his to fire, mine to prevent,
for | knew well at the sound of the
discharge there would come a rush of
blue-coats to his rescue. My first
fierce onset had put him on the de
fensive, but as we tugged and strained
his superiority in weight began to tell,
and slowly he bore me backward un,
till all the weight of my body rested
upon my right leg. Then there oc
CURED to me like flash a wrestlers
trick taught me years before by an
Cid negro on my fathers plantation
instantly | appeared to yield to the
force against which / contended with
simulated weakness, sinking lower
and lower, until, doubt not, Brennan
felt CONVINCED I>mnst go oyer back,
ward. But as thus sank, my left
or dxr nrk Go.
back, while my free hand sank slow.
ly down his straining body until my
cropping fingers grasped firmly the
broad belt about his waist. | yielded
yet another inch, until he leaned so
far over me as to be out of all bal
ance. and then, with sudden straight
ening of my left leg, at the same time
forcing my head beneath his chest il
leverage, with one tremendous effort
| flung him, head under, crashing
down upon the hard road. Trembling
like reed from the exertion, stood
there looking down upon the DARK
form lying huddled at my feet. He
rested motionless, and l bent over,
placing my hand upon his heart, hor
rified at the mere thought that he
might be dead. But the heart beat,
and with a prayer of thankfulness
looked up. She stood beside me.
Tell me, Captain Wayne" she ex,
claimed anxiously, "he is not-not Sc
riously hurt?"
Il believe not" l answered soberly.
He is a heavy man, and fell hard, yet
his heart beats strong. He must have
cut his head upon stone, however,
for he is bleeding"
She knelt beside him, and I caught
the wilderness of a handkerchief within
her hand.
Believe me, Mrs. Brennan" ] fall,
tered lamely, Il regret this far more
than I can tell. Nothing has ever oc
Cured to me to give greater pain
than the thought that l have brought
you 80 much of sorrow and trouble
You will have faith in me?"
Always, erywhere-whether ii
ever be our fate to meet again or not.
But now you must 60"
60? And leave you here alone?
Are you not afraid?"
"Afraid?"she looked about her into
the darkness. "Of what? Surely you |
do not mean of Frank-of Major Bren
nan? And as to my being alone, our |
quarters are within scant hundred !
yards from here, and single cry will !
bring me aid in plenty. Hush! what
was that?"
1t was the shutting tread of many
feet, the sturdy tramp of body OF
infantry on the march.
"Go!" she cried hurriedly. 'If you
would truly serve me, if you care at
all for me, do not longer delay and
be discovered here. 1t is the grand
rounds. l beg of you, go!"
l grasped her outstretched hand,
pressed my lips holly upon it, and
sped with noiseless footsteps down
the black, deserted road.