Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-27
realizing our gratitude. You will nnt
me in the library. Come, Frank,

tuc" Vut1l tHGy UkapPc0ESQ 0TOuUV
the corner of the she'd Brennan
walked with stern face. bis step
heavy, she with averted eyes. . slight
smile Of triumph curling her lip. Then
Moorehouse stopped and picked up
the .derringer the Major had thrown
away.
by thunder, but she's right" he
exclaimed emphatically. II tell you
that's mighty fine woman. Blame
me. If she didn't face Us like q
queen"
No one answered. and without ex-
changing another word we walked to.
gether to the house. There I found
the remnant Of my troop standing
beside their horses, chatting with q
dozen idle Yankee cavalrymen who
were loung;ng on the wide steps.
The time had come when 1 must
say final farewell and depart Not
the slightest excuse remained for fur
Their delay. dreaded the ordeal, but
no escape was possible, and I en-.
tered the house for what well knew
was to be the last time. My mind
was gravcly troubled; knew not
what to expect, how far might ven.
ture to hope. Why had she desired
to see me again? Surely the public
reason she offered could not he the
real one. Had she only been free,
. maid whose hand remained her
own to surrender IS she pleased,
should never have hesitated, never
have doubted her purpose; but now
that could not be.
Al l knocked almost timidly at the
closed library door gentle voice
said, Come" and entered, my heart
throbbing like . frightened girls.
She stood waiting me nearly IN the
center Of that spacious apartment.
dressed in the same light raiment she
had worn without, and her greeting
was calm and friendly. yet tinged by
a proud dignity. cannot describe. I
believed for IN instant that We were
alone, and my blood raced through
my veins in sudden expectancy; then
my eyes fell upon Mrs. Minor COM
fortably seated in an armchair be-
fore the IRE. and realized that she
was present to restrain mo from for
getfulness. But In very truth my
lady hardly needed such protection
her speech, her manner, her proud
constraint told me at once most plain.
ly that no existing tie between %
had caused our meeting.
Captain Wayne" she said softly,
her high color alone giving evidence
Of any memory Of the past, Il scarce
ly thought that We should meet again,
yet was not willing e part with you
under any misunderstanding. have
learned from Lieutenant Cation the
full particulars of your action In con.
nection with Major Brennan. wish
you to realize that l appreciate your
efforts to escape q hostile meeting
and esteem you most highly for your
forbearance on the field. It was in.
deed noble proof Of true courage.
May / ask why did you IRE in the
air?"
Had she not held me 80 away from
her by her manner should have then
and there told her all the truth. AZ
1t was burst not.
reached Major Brennan it would in
jure you. I preferred not to do that"
Il believed 1t was for my sake you
made the sacrifice" She paused; then
asked in yet lower tones: WAS my
name mentioned during your conten-
toni mean publlcly?"
ut was not; Cation alone is aware
I refrained because Of the reason
have already given you"
Your wound is not serious?"
"Too Insignificant to be worthy Of
mention"
She was silent. her eyes upon the
carpet, her bosom rising and falling
with the emotion she sought in vain
to suppress.
"1 thank you for coming to me-"
she said frankly. II shall understand
it all better, comprehend your motive
better, for this brief talk. Whatever
you may think Of me in the future"
and she held out her hand with some
thing Of the old frankness in the ges.
ture, do not hold mo a. ungrateful
for . single kindness you have shown
me. I have not fully understood you.
Captain Wayne; indeed. doubt If
l do even now, yet am under great
obligations which hope some day to
be able to requite. at least In part"
"a thousand times they are already
paid" l exclaimed, eagerly, forgetting
for the moment the presence Of her
silent chaperon. you have given me
that which is more than life
DO not, Captain Wayne" she in
terrupted, her cheeks ahame. II
would rather forget. Please do not;
did not send to you for that, only
to tell you knew and understood.
We must part now. Will you say
good-bye?"
III you bid me. yes. I will say
goodbye" answered. my own self.
control brought back instantly by her
words and manner, "but retain that
which / do not mean to forget-your
gracious words Of invitation to the
North"
She stood with parted lips, as
though she struggled to force back
that which should not be uttered.
Then she whispered swiftly:
TT is not my wish that you
should"
Was there ever such another para
dox of . woman? I knew not how
to read her Alright, for scarce ever