The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-03-26

brennan would only inilame him and
add greatly to the embarrassment OF
his wife's position. Much as | might
long FOR Immediate vindication in her
sight, the plain duty of true love was
to depart at once, and permit time TO
straighten out the tangle
You must pardon me-" I hastened
TO say, standing hat in hand before
her, but 1t would not be best for
RE 70 intrude upon Mrs. Brennan aft
or her late reception. | merely halt
cd here in order to assure myself OF
your presence and safety. My men
ere even now waiting for me a few
hundred yards away"
But l wish you to meet Arthur"
oh, l think not, Miss Minor. / feel
warm friendship for Lieutenant Cation.
but We wear different uniforms. servo
under different flags, and a meeting
here, both with armed forces behind
us. would naturally have to be hos.
tile one. However the Lieutenant and
L might consent to a 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
tooryard, l certainly consider it best"
and held out my hand. Surely VIC
part as friends, and may hope that
you will intercede in my behalf witt
Mrs. Brennan?"
She rose up impulsiyely
How ridiculous; how Supremacy ri
liculous! Why, OF course will
though / don't suppose Edith really
cares very much. but she believed it
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-
teated In every cherished hope. l
strobe savagely down the long hill and
mounted my horse. How roughly for
tune had suneted me, to be sure and
how extremely small the inspiration
left. Well, perhaps I deserved 1t for
ever permitting myself to love one
whom l 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 Bungay 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. l chose
the road leading toward the north
west, for although had not asked the
question l conceived 1t highly probable
that Brennan and 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 fringing our
road, Bungay pressed his mule into
trot and finally succeeded in ranging
~ at my side. Even in my disturbed
mental condition was amused at his
unique style of riding. although |
would not wound him by laughing.
II say, Cap" he said, jerking the
words out to the mules hard trot. and
grasping his saddle pommel desper.
ately, Il sorter reckon as how therIl
be some fun back thar afore long less
all signs fail"
"Why?" l stared at him, now thor.
oughly aroused to the thought that
he had important news to communi-
cate
Wal" he explained slowly, "whin
ye whit off. sorter tux a notion ter
look bout n bit. Used ter be an OIL
stomDin' ground O. mine. SO Dutchy
an me clumb tibet big hill back O.
whar we halted, and by gum, down
thar in Their gully on L other side
thar's burned big camp O. fellers."
] reined up short, and with uplifted
nand signalled the men behind to
halt.
Why didn't you tell me this be-
fore?" / questioned sternly. How
many were there? and what did they
look like?"
He scratched the back Of his head
thoughtfully, and answered with care
ful deliberatioD. "Durn it, | didn't
jine We till after y'd started. an
reckon as how it took me all o. tew
mile ter git this yere blame muel up
ter whar ! cud talk. Thar's quite
smart bunch, but they had some pick
cts out, an / cudn't git close 'nough
ter tell zackly. Dutchy thought thar
wus nigh onter two hundred o. 'em,
but / jist don't know. They wusn't
dressed like sojers o. either army. an
| reckon they're out o. Their hills"
glanced at my little handful of
men, scarcely knowing what decision
II might be wise to make. Undoubt.
eddy they would fight II occasion
arose but the odds were terribly
heavy; besides, II Brennan came. and
his party got away that same even.
ing, as was planned for them to do,
then II might not be necessary for us
20 strike a blow. 7 was certainly in
no mood to expose my small command
merely to save the empty house from
destruction.
"Ebers," ] said, turning toward the
Sergeant, who sat his horse with ex-
pressionless face, you were with the
guide when he discovered this camp.
How many do you think Il contained?
and who were they?"
Vel, dere vos more as two gom-
panies Captain, und dere vos some
horses but dey vos dressed-vot you
calls it?-all ober not ner same"