The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-03-30

that you were being held here under
fire"
Her hand touched mine impulsively.
and 1t was warm and throbbing.
Il can merely thank you with all
my heart, Captain Wayne. and assure
you ] both understand and appreciate
your purpose. But truly do not wish
any trouble to occur again-you win
go back to your post, will you not?
You can serve me best In that way.
and retain the gratitude and admira-
ton ! have ever felt for you"
AT once, Mrs Brennan" returned
earnestly. Il realize have done
wrong In ever coming here as have.
II Is my first act Of disobedience to
orders In all my military life. But
tell me first that l have forfeited
neither your confidence nor your
friendship"
She paused moment, then added
quickly, as though in sudden rush of
feeling: mo friend stands higher in
my esteem than you-now please go.
Captain Wayne"
AS I crept back through the dark
ness. passing beneath the piano into
the front room, which was filled with
the choking fumes Of powder, my
mind was a chaos of emotions impos-
sible to analyze. The very depth Of
love which drew me to her operated
now In restraint God alone knows
the struggle in the darkness as l con-
tinued to move slowly away from her
and toward the door. So deep was my
agitation, so intense my thought, that
scarcely realized was creeping
along barely beneath the dead line Of
those bullets which constantly swept
the apartment. Their crashing into
the wall was almost meaningless. and
barely noted either the dense smoke
or the fitful flashes OF fame as the
little garrison returned shot for shot.
1t was Brennan's voice-how hateful
it sounded then-which recalled my
attention.
'Mapes," he said, with the sharp
tone of wearied command. take a
crack at that fellow over yonder by
the big tree: he must be In range.
You men, I verify believe. shut your
eyes when you shoot. for there hasn't
a man dropped out there IN the last
half hour
had reached the door by this time.
but paused now. determined to ven
ture one word Of expostulation at his
recklessness.
Major Brennan" l said. speaking
sufficiently loud to be audible above
the uproar. do you not think they will
attempt to charge the house?"
Not while We keep up this fire." he
returned coldly. evidently recognizing
my voice.
Il grant that, at least while dark
ness lasts. But you have just COM
planned that your men were doing but
small execution, and Is there not dan.
ger Of exhausting our stock Of ammu-
milton by such useless fusillade?"
1T will last until our fellows get
here--that Is. II your man was ever
really sent for aid. as you say"
There was q thinly yelled sheer In
the words as he spoke them. but
curbed my temper
We'll. In my judgment. strand l
tell 1t you because l deem 1t duty
l retorted plainly. you are making
grave mistake which you may realize
when 1t becomes too late p rectify 1t.
Possibly I have no right to criicise
one who Is technically In command.
vet I am serving as q volunteer. and
the conditions are peculiar. l not
only remember the scene witnessed by
me in the lines yonder. but also recall
the fact that we are here to fulfil
sacred duty-the defense OF helpless
women from outrage. A fatal mis-
take upon our part would be horri-
ble."
Very well, sir"-and his tone was
rough and overbearing-"then kindly
recall your soldierly instincts to an
other little matter. chance to COM
mand here by authority of rank. and
hold myself responsible for the proper
defense Of this portion of the house.
l believe you have already been as
signed your duties: II you will attend
to them ! shall be greatly obliged. and
whenever ! may desire your valuable
advice shall take pleasure in sending
for you"
turned away In silence and strobe
back to my post, white with anger.
The dining room remained as had
left It, and when | lay down In my
old position and peered out through
the broken blind could mark no
change In the appearance Of our be-
siegers.