The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-03-07
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against a host of Infatuated ruffians,
seeking to protect helpless women.
They wore different uniforms, they
followed different flags, by the fortune
of war they were enemies, yet they
could fight and die in defense of the
weak. | thanked God upon my knees
that l 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
sooner is 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
the case may be-the act is shameful.
and an insult to every woman of this
household. Even as / came upon the
field 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 fired your last
shot on this field, unless you choose
to make me your target"
She stood there as a queen might,
and commanded an obedience no man
among us burst refuse. Brennan's
flushed face paled, and his lips trem-
bled as 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"
Il 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 as 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 well that in the
north no man of any standing would
ever venture TO resort to it. Moreover.
even the code presupposes that men
shall stand equal at its bari am in
formed that Captain Wayne fired in
the air.
He hesitated, feeling doubtless the
uselessness of further protest, yet she
permitted him small opportunity for
consideration Major" she said quiet
ly but firmly, 81 should be pleased to
have you escort me to the house."
These words, gently as they
were spoken, still constituted COM
mand. Her eyes were upon his face,
and doubt not he read within them
that he would forfeit all her respect II
he failed to obey. Yet he yielded with
exceeding poor grace.
"As it seems impossible to con-
tinue," he admitted bitterly, Il sup
pose / may as well CO." He turned
and fronted me, his eyes glowing
"But understand, sir, this is merely
a cessation, not an ending"
bowed gravely, not daring to trust
my voice in speech, lest should yield
to the temptation of my own temper.
Captain Wayne" she said, glancing
back across his broad blue shoulder,
and l thought there was a new quail
ity in her voice, the sting had some
way gone out of it, Il shall esteem
it kindness if you will call upon
me before you depart"
with pleasure" / fastened to re-
ply, my surprise at the request al
most robbing me Of speech, ''but
shall be compelled to leave at once,
as my troop is already under or
ders."
81 Il shall detain you for only a
moment, but after what you have
passed through on our behalf l am
unwilling you should depart without
realizing our gratitude. You will find
me in the library. Come, Frank, l
am ready now"
We remained motionless, watching
them until they disappeared around
the corner Of the shed. Brennan
walked with stern face, his 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 a
queen
No one answered. and without ex-
changing another word we walked to-
gether to the house. There found
the remnant of my troop standing
beside their horses, chatting with a
dozen idle Yankee cavalrymen who
were lounging on the wide steps.
The time had come when / must
say final farewell and depart. Not
the slightest excuse remained for fur
Their delay | dreaded the ordeal, but
no escape was possible, and en-
tered the house for what / well knew
was to be the last time My mind
was gravely 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 be the
real one. Had she only been free,
maid whose hand remained her
own to surrender as she pleased, /
should never have hesitated, never
have doubted her purpose; but now
that could not be.
AS knocked almost timidly at the
closed library door gentle voice
said, Come" end / 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