The Lamar register., 1911-12-20

ntod. and that such an act wouid De
in a way characteristic. I was GER
tain you would come II you know. and
IL, well really. hoped It was"
In spite OF a slight effort at restraint
I CROPPED In the darkness until
touched her hand. For the moment
she permitted me to retain 1t. as II
unconsciously. within my grasp.
''why?" l questioned. scarcely rely
ing upon my own voice.
"Oh. one always trusts friends more
readily than strangers. and / have
seen you in danger before. and pos
sess such confidence in your courage
and resource"
But Miss Minor took particular
care to inform me you felt little or no
interest In me-that you never even
spoke Of me except ~ she compelled
you to do So
For . moment she did not answer.
How constant the airing continues"
she said At last - I sat struggling
dumbly with temptation.
"A mere waste Of powder. I fear
was my reply. given thoughtlessly.
when the rush finally comes We are
likely to be without sumcient ammu-
milton to repel It. hardly expect
those fellows out there will ever
leave without . determined effort to
carry the house BY storm. have no
doubt they are simply drawing all this
hrs In the hope that our ammunition
will thus b uselessly expended. It
is an old army trick. and one am sur
prised to see 30 experienced an ofncer
as Major Brennan yield to. In my
judgment they will make an effort to
rush Us - sooa - there 10 sufhcisnt
light"
But why not warn hint"
Major Brennan would scarcely vel
come any Interference on my part"
But surely. a. . soldier. he must
Possibly you forget" explained.
striving to speak as lightly Of It as
might be. that there IL . lack Of
friendship between Major Brennan
and myself"
"Stiil!" she asked. Truly I thought
that might all be over. Even II It sur
vived until now. this noble act Of
your In coming to our defense should
have earned you his gratitude. He
he has never once mentioned your
name to me since that night"
mot even when came here with
my troop. I believer"
mo; yet I did not connect that
fact with the other. I supposed II .
mere oversight. or that he believed
the mention Of your name would not
greatly interest me. Surely. Captain
Wayne. you are not keeping open this
unhappy woundr'
"on my word. no: but I regret u
confess It IL very far from being
closed"
"He-Major Brennan does not know.
then. that you are here now with me-"
She evidently hesitated to ask this
question.
Certainly not" In surprise at her
apparent innocence. you cannot have
supposed I had been sent here by
him to talk with your"
Il did not know. I do not think
realized" she stammered. vainly
seeking for words with which to make
clear her bewilderment. Il imagined
you might have come at his sugges-
ton to sec that we were amply pro-
tected. This il all so very strange.
He does not even know you are here
with usf"
NO" I admitted reluctantly. Per
haps have no excuse even for being
here at all. My duty a. . soldier IL
certainly elsewhere. but could not
rest content until knew you were In
a position of safety. Believe me. Mrs.
Brennan. have intended no indiscre-
ton. but l was informed by . soldier
that you were being held here under
fire."
Her hand touched mine impulsivsfy
and It was warm and throbbing.
IT can merely thank you with ali
my heart, Captain Wayne. and assure
you both understand and appreciate
your purpose. But truly do not wish
any trouble to occur again-you will
go back to your post, will you notl
You can serve me best in that way
and retain the gratitude and admira
tion have ever felt for you"
AT once. Mrs. Brennan" returned
earnestly. II realize have done
wrong in ever coming here a. I have