Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-12-07

III & y NV y
Y0 D.
"Put Down Your Pistol" She Ordered
Colby.
was to act. Stepping instantly in front
OF the shrinking girl and facing him,
l said sternly:
Il do not know who you may chance
to be, sir. nor greatly care, yet your
words and actions imply an insult to
this lady which am little disposed to
overlook. For your information per-
init me to state, am Colonel Curran,
Sixth Ohio Light Artillery, and am
not accustomed to being halted on the
road by every drunken fool who sports
uniform"
He stopped short in complete sur
prise, staring at me through the dark
ness, and doubted not was perfect
~ able to distinguish the CLINT of but
tons and CLEAN of braid.
Your pardon. SIR" he calculated at
last. Il mistook you for some run
away soldier. But / failed to catch
your words; how did you name your
self"
Colonel Curran, of Major-Geperal
Halleck's staff"
The hell you are! Curran had
full gray beard a month ago."
He took step forward, and before
I could recovsr from the first numbing
shock Of surprise was peering intently
into my face.
Damn IT," he cried, tusging
victously at q revolver in his belt, II
know that face! You are the measly
Johnny Reb 1 brought in day before
yesterday"
There came quick flutter of drap-
cry at my side, and she, pressing me
firmly backward, faced him without
word.
The mans extended arm dropped to
his side as though pierced by a bullet,
and he took one step backward,
shrinking as If his startled eyes be-
held ghost.
"Edith?" he cried, as though doubt
ing his own vision, and the ring OF
agony in his voice was almost piteous
Edith! My God! You here, at mid
night, alone with this man?"
However the words, the tone, the
gesture may have stung her. her face
remained proudly calm, her voice cold
and clear.
II certainly am, Major Brennan"
she answered, her eyes never once
leaving his face. "And may ask
what reason you can have to object?"
"Reason?" His voice had grown
hoarse with passion and surprise.
My God, how can you ask? How
can you even face me-? Why do you
not sink down in shame? Alone
here. he looked about him into the
darkness-"at such an hour, In COM
pany with a Rebel, a sneaking, COW
ardly spy, already condemned to be
shot. By Heaven! he shall never live
to boast of it,"
He flung up his revolver barrel to
prove the truth of his threat, but she
stepped directly between us, and
shielded me with her form.
Put down your pistol" she ordered
coldly. Il assure you my reputation
is in no immediate danger unless you
shoot me, and your bullet shall GER
tainly find my heart before it ever
reaches Captain Wayne"
Truly. you %ust indeed love him."
So close to me was she standing
that could feel her form tremble at
this insult, yet her voice remained
emotionless.
Your uncalled-for words shame
me, not my actions. In being here
with Captain Wayne tonight l am
merely paying simple debt of honor
"a double debt. indeed, considering
that he was condemned to death by
your lie, while you deceived me by
another"
did he tell you that?"
MAJ. HE e. did Id not; Like the true gentle
eNAssAA ~ AASsS 0vVA oAOWA AAAA60A4 w 00S
he endeavored to disguise the facts,
to withhold from me all knowledge
OF your dastardly action. know it
by the Infamous sentence pronounced
against him and by your falsehood to
me-"
Edith. you mistake" he urged anx-
iously. IL was told that he had
been sent North"
She drew a deep breath. as though
she could scarcely grasp the full au-
dacity of his pretence to ignorance.
you appeared to be fully informed
but now as to his death sentence"
yes. heard of it while away, and
intended telling you as soon as
reached our quarters"
l could feel the scorn of his miser-
able deception as it curled her lip,