Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-27
CHAPTER xxxv'.
The Last eeed.bx.

agitation as she left her position and
slowly advanced toward us. Daintily
lifting her skirts to keep them from
contact with the weeds under foot.
her head poised proudly, her eyes q
bit disdainful Of It all, she paused be-
fore Cation.
Lieutenant" she questioned in q
clear tone which sc emed to command
IN answer. II have always found you
IN impartial friend. Will you kindly
inform me IS to the true meaning Of
al this?''
He hesitated, hardly knowing what
to reply. but her imperious eyes we're
upon him-they insisted, and he STAN.
mered Iamely:
Two Of the gentlemen, madam.
were about to settle slight disagree.
ment BY means Of tho code"
We're about" she echoed, scornful
Of Ill deceit. Surely heard shots a.
came through the orchard?"
.'One IRE has been exchanged" he
4 reluctantly admitted.
And Captain Wayne has been
wounded?"
! was not aware until that moment
that she had even 50 much as noticed
my presence.
Very slightly, madam"
sdis opponent escaped uninjured p
Caton bowed. glanced uneasily to-
ward me, and then blurted forth i'm.
pulsiveiy: Captain Wayne fred in
the air, madam"
"A most delightful situation, surely"
she said clearly and sarcastically.
Ono would almost suppose we had
wholly reverted to barbarism, and that
our boasted civilization was but mock.
cry. Think Of it." and the proud dis
dain in her face held us silent. mot
six hours ago that house yonder was
the scene Of desperate battle. With.
In its blood-stained rooms men fought
and died, cheering in their agony like
heroes Of romance. I saw there two
men battling shoulder to shoulder
against host Of Infatuated ru1ilans,
seeking to protect helpless women.
They wore different uniforms. they
followed different flags, by tho fortune
Of war they were enemies, yet they
could fight and die In defense of the
weak. thanked God upon my knees
that had been privileged to know
such men and could call them friends
No nobler. truer, manlier deed at arms
was ever done!- Yet. mark you, no
soonersis that duty over-scarcely are
their dead comrades buried-when
they forget every natural instinct Of
of gratitude, Of true manliness. and
spring At each Others throat like two
maddened beasts. care not what
and IN insult to every woman Of this
household. Even as came upon the
deld voices were clamoring for anoth-
er shot. in spite Of the fact that one
man stood already wounded. War.
may be excusable, but this is not war.
Gentlemen, you have fred your last
shot on this field, unless you choose
to make me your target"
She stood there as queen might,
and commanded an obedience no man
among US burst refuse. Brennan's
flushed face paled, and his lips trem-
bled az he sought to make excuse.
Edith" he protested, you do not
know, you do not understand. There
are wrongs which can be righted in
no other way"
II do not care to know" she an
swered coldly, NOR do ever expect
to learn that murder can right a
wrong"
Murder! You use strong terms.
The code has been recognized for CEN
turtles q the last resort Of gentle
men,"
THE code! Has It, indeed? What
gentlemen? Those of the south ex-
clusively of late. That might posi-
bly, pardon your opponent, but not you,
for you know very we'll that in the
north no man of any standing would
ever venture to resort to 1t. Moreover,
even the code presupposes that men
shall stand equal at its bari am in
formed that Captain Wayne fred In
the air"
He hesitated, feeling doubtless the
uselessness Of further protest, yet she
permitted him small opportunity for
consideration. Major" she said quiet
" but firmly, Il should be pleased to
have you Escort me to the house"
ThAse words. gently 40 they
were spoken, still constituted Q com
mand. Her eyes were upon his face.
and r doubt not he read within them
that he would forfeit all her respect IL
10 failed to obey. Yet he yielded with
exceeding poor grace.
AZ It seems impossible to con.
tinue," he admitted bitterly. II sup
pose I may ~ well Co." He turned
and fronted me, his, eyes glowing.
But understand, sir. this il merely
cessation, not IN ending"
bowed gravely. not daring to trust
my voice in speech, lest should yield
10 the temptation Of my own temper.
Captain Wayne" she said, glancing
back across his broad blue shoulder,
and / thought there was . new quail
ity IN her voice. the sting had some
way gone out Of It. II shall esteem
It . kindness II you will call upon
me before you depart"
with pleasure" FASTENED to re-
ply. my surprise ct the request al
most robbing mo Of speech. "but
shall be compelled to leave ct once,
. ny troop 10 already under or
ders."
r shall dstain you for only 81