The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-05-11
CHAPTER xxxIIl.
After the Struggle.

A young omcer, Wnose Ieu iaSo "ao
rendered extremely conspicuous by
the blue OF his uniform, led the rush
Of his soldiers as they came tumbllng
CALAMITY into the hall.
up there, mem" he cried. catch
ing sight OF me, and pointing. Get
that Johnny with the girl"
AS they sprang eagerly forward over
the dead bodies littering the moor at
the foot OF the stairs Brennan scram-
bled unsteadily TO his feet, and halted
them with imperious gesture.
Leave him alone!" he command
ed. THAT is the commander OF the
Confederate detachment who came 10
our aid. The guerillas have fed down
the hallway. and are most OF them
outside by now. Wayne" he turned
and glanced up at us. his face Instant
ly darkening at the tableau, kindly
assist the ladies 10 descend; we must
get them out OF this shambles''
He lifted them one by one and with
ceremonies politeness across the
CHASTITY pile OF dead and wounded men
Escort them to the library" he
suggested, as | hesitated, That room
Will probably be found clear
was somewhat surprised that Bren
nan should not have come personally
TO the aid OF his wife, but as he TX
nored her presence utterly, l at once
offered her my arm, and silently lee
the way TO the room designated, th'
others following as best they might
The apartment was unoccupied, exhlo
iting no signs OF the late struggle, ant
| found comfortable resting places fo
all. Miss Minor was yet sobbing soft
". her face hidden upon her moth
er's shoulder. and | felt constrained
TO speak with her.
81 shall go at once" ! said kindly
ito ascertain all can regarding Lieu
tenant Cation, and will bring yo'
word"
She thanked me with glance o
her dark eyes clouded with tears, bu
as | turned hastily away TO execut
this errand, Mrs Brennan laid r.
straining hand upon my arm
Captain Wayne she said wit
much seriousness, you are very vi
selfish, but you must not 90 unit
your own wounds have been attende
|, to; they may be far more seriou
than you apprehend."
Az I gazed al her, surprised by tn
} anxiety she so openly displayed,
CHANGED TO behold myself refiecte
within large mirror directly acroi
, the room. One glance was sufticiel
TO convince me her words were ful
justified. My remains OF uniform Il
orally chung to me In rags, my bal
, shoulder looked confused mass
8 battered flesh, my hair was matte
and my face blackened by powd'
/ stains and streaked with blood
: II certainly do appear disreputab
h enough" | admitted, but ] can q
sure you II is nothing sufficiently
rious to require immediate attention
il As stepped without and closed q
y door behind me, was at once sta
led by the rapid Airing OF shot fro
: the rear OF the house, and the ne
Q moment encountered the young. r.
s. faced officer hurrying along the ha
way at the head squad OF Fedei
= cayalrymen Recognizing me In
i gloom OF the passage he paused 81
q. denly.
Il owe you a belated apology. CT
~ tain" he exclaimed cordially, for hi
n ing mistaken you for one OF those N
creants. but really your appearar
~ was not fattering"
he Having viewed myself since Will
~ a Mirror" replied. II am prepared
acknowledge the mistake a most n
ural one However am grateful
be out OF the scrape. and can scare
r. find fault with my rescuers. Five m
re utes more would have witnessed
end"
=. I'VE rode hard" he said. and W
no in saddle within fifteen minutes al
no the arrival OF your courier. You
IDENTIFY made hard fight OF u;