Middletown transcript., 1911-11-11

the two men advanced. Use your
helts Il you have nothing else handy"
Angry as / most assuredly was,
swept also BY new emotion which I
did not In the least comprehend, /
yet fully realised the utter helpless
ness Of my position In point Of re-
sistance. They were twenty to one.
However much | longed to grapple
with him who Knocked me, the very
thought was insanity; my only pos
sfble chance of escape lay in flight.
To realize this was to act. leaped
backward, trusting for clear field in
my rear, and an opportunity to run for
it, but the door by which had Just
entered was now closed and barred
Bungay had made sure his retreat.
The man, watching my every move
ment, with sword half drawn in his
hand, saw instantly that was secure
" trapped, and Aughed in scorn.
''You are not making war on women
now" he said with cutting sneer.
"You will not find me SO easy vic.
tim"
The taunt stung me, but more the
tone and manner of the speaker, and
the hot blood Of youth cast all caution
to the winds. With single spring,
forgetful Of my own wound i was at
his throat, dashed aside his uplifted
hand, and by the sheer audacity Of my
sudden, unexpected onset, bore him
back crashing to the floor. He strug-
gled gamely, yet ! possessed the ad-
vantage Of position, and would have
punished him severely, but for the
dozen strong hands which instantly
laid hold upon me, and dragged me
off, stiH fighting madly, although as
helpless as child.
Ny opponent instantly leaped to his
feet and started forward, drawing a
revolver as he came. His face was
deathly white from passion, and there
was a look in his eyes which told me
he would be restrained now by no
rule Of var.
"You cowardly spy!" he cried, and
my ears caught the sharp click as he
drew back the hammer. DO you
think / viii let that blow go un-
avenged?"
Il assuredly trust not" answered,
gazing up at him from behind the gun
muzzles with which was yet securely
rinned to the floor. "But If you are,
as am led to believe, Federal Off
Ger, with some pretensions to being
also q gentleman. and not the outlaw
your clothes proclaim, you will at
least permit me to stand upon my feet
and face you as man. If am q spy,
as you seem inclined to claim, there
are army courts to try me; II not.
then am your equal In standing and
rank, and have every right Of q prison.
er Of war"
"This has become personal" hoarse-
ly. "Your blow, as well as your con.
n.ction with the forcible abduction Of
this young lady, whose legal protector
am, are not matters to be settled by
al army court"
"Then permit me to meet you in any
satisfactory way. The murder of q
helpless man will scarcely clarity your
honor"
knew from the unrelenting ex-
preston upon his face that my plea
was likely to prove perfectly useless
one, but before 1 had ended it Mrs,
Brennan stood between US.
Frank" she said calmly, "you shall
not This man is a Confederate Off.
Ger; he is no spy; and during all the
events of last night he has proven
himself :. friend rather than an enemy.
Only for my sake is he here now" )"
Ignoring the look upon his face she
turned toward me, iInpetuously waved
aside the fellows who yet held me
PROSTATE, and extending her hand
lifted me to my feet. For an instant.
as If by accident, our eyeS met, and
a sudden flush swept across her
throat and cheeks,
"It is my turn now" she whispered
softly, so softly the words did not car
ry beyond my own ears. Then she
stood erect between US, as though In
her own drawing room,, and gravely
presented US to each other, as If she
dared either to quarrel longer in her
presence.
"Major Brennan, Captain Wayne"
We bowed to each other as men
salute on the duelling field. In his
eyes read an unforgiveness. bitter
personal enmity, which returned
with interest, and secretly rejoiced
over.
'The lady seems to be in control at
present" he said shortly, showing back
the revolver into his belt. 'NeVerthe.
less | shall do my military duty, and
hold you as prisoner. May inquire
your full Lame and rank?"
Philip Wayne, Captain -th Vir.
ginia Cavalry, Shirtley's Brigade"
why are you within our lines?"
81 attempted to pass through them
last night with dispatches, but was
prevented by my desire to be Of as
sistance to this lady"
"Indeed% He smiled incredulously.
"Your tale is quite interesting and
rather romantic. presume you Jet
carry the papers with you as evidence
Of its TRUTH"
IF you refer to the dispatches, do
net. sincerely trust they are already
safely deposited In the hands Of the
one for whom they were intended"
a malignant look crept into Bren.
mans face. and his jaws set ominoHsly.
you will have to concoct a far
better story than that, my friend, be.
fore you face Sheridan" he said in.
solently, "or you will be very apt to
learn how q rope feels. He is not
inclined to parley long with Buch fel,
lows as you. Bind his hands, men,
and take him out with you into the
road"
The two soldiers grasped me in.
stantly at the word Of command. For
a single moment i braced myself to
resist, but even as / did so my eyes
fell upon a slight opening In the wall,
and caught a quick glimpse of Bun.
gays face, his finger to his lips. Even
as gazed in astonishment at this
sudden apparition, a lighter touch
rested pleadingly on my arm.
do not struggle any longer. CAPTAIN