Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
CHAPTER XVIII.
We capture a Courier.

| lu0 girl 5 hSut UuTSL vi laughter
aroused me thoroughly to sense of
our situation.
/ You seem to derive much amuse-
ment from condition of affairs al
most intolerable to me-" said bitter
ly. Il have always valued most highly
the friendship of Mrs. Brennan, but
this unfortunate occurrence will doubt
less end it."
She glanced up at me. her long
Iashes wet. but her dark eyes spark
| ling with mischief.
oh she won't care SO far as you
are concerned" she exclaimed indif-
| ferently But suppose she will
think | am perfectly horrid. Well /
don't care if she does; she might
have waited and learned the truth
| first Wasn't her face study? And
how shall ever explain to Arthur SO
that he will understand? I'm sure |
have got the worst of it. Oh, Captain
Wayne. is my hair all ruffled up? |
know look like fright You must
come In now, and we will explain to
Mrs. Brennan the whole matter She
cannot help believing us both. while
know she would be so cold and
proud to me alone"
| | shook my head decisively. Per-
haps it was better ended so; at least
| possessed no courage just them to
face her indignation. She might but
deem we had concocted our explana-
ton, and would very likely receive it
with all the scorn she felt it deserved.
| Besides. it was clear there was moth
ing | could do to aid them. | should
be now merely an unweloome intru-
| der. An escort was to be there short
ly to convoy them northward, and for
me to be found in their company by
| Brennan would only inaame him and
add greatly to the embarrassment OF
his wife's position. Much as | might
long for immediate vindcation in her
| to depart at once. and permit time to
straighten out the tangle.
You must pardon me" | FASTENED
to say, standing hat in hand before
| her, but 1t would not be best for
me to intrude upon Mrs. Brennan aft
er her late reception. merely halt
ed here in order to assure myself OF
your presence and safety. My men
are even now waiting for me few
hundred yards away"
But wish you to meet Arthur"
"Oh, | think not. Miss Minor | feel
warm friendship for Lieutenant Cation.
but we wear different uniforms, serve
under different flags. and meeting
here, both with armed forces behind
us, would naturally have to be hos
tile one. However the Lieutenant and
| might consent to temporary truce.
his superior officer. Major Brennan.
would not likely prove Of the same
mind"
Then you really must go?"
Unless you specially desire to wit
ness cavalry skirmish in your front
dooryard, certainly consider it best. p"
and held out my hand Surely we
part as friends. and | may hope that
you will intercede in my behalf with
Mrs. Brennan?"
She rose up impulsively,
How ridiculous: how supremely RI
diculous! Why. of course | WILL
though don't suppose Edith really
cares very much. but she believed 1t
would be highly proper to be shocked
don't think she likes you so very
well anyway, Captain Wayne, for she
never will talk about you"
| With these cheering words ringing
in my ears, and feeling thoroughly de-
| feated in every cherished hope. |
| strobe savagely down the long hill and
mounted my horse How roughly for
/ tune had suffeted me, to be sure. and
how extremely small the inspiration
| left Well, perhaps | deserved 1t for
ever permitting myself to love one
whom knew to be the wife of an
| other Doubtless she had seized upon
this slight pretext to be rid of me,
and was already rejoicing over its
easy accomplishment.
In my agitation forgot entirely the
presence of Maria Rungay at the
house. and ordering my men into sad
die prepared for departure without
giving a thought to the little fellow
and his domestic troubles. | chose
the road leading toward the north
west. for although had not asked the
| question | conceived II highly probable
that Brennan end his party would ride
from the Federal calvary quarters at
Golfers Church. and | had no desire
to meet them. They were upon an
errand of mercy of far greater impor-
lance than my revenge.
AS we swung along through the
heavily timbered land friaging cur
road, Bungay pressed his mule into a
trot and finally succeeded in ranging
up at my side, Even in my disturbed
mental condition | was amused at his
unique style of riding, although
would not wound him by laughing
tTo BE CONTINUED
Wonderful Luck.