Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-01-26
My Lady of
The North

our departure. i ndQ supposed you
would certainly be with US until them
Mrs Brennanl" / exclaimed al.
most passionately, "do not tempt me!
Your wish is a temptation most diff.
cult to resist"
why resist, them"
She did not look at me, but stood
twisting a handkerchief nervously
through her fingers. The abrupt ques-
ton startled me almost into full con-
fession, but fortunately my eyes
CHANGED to fall upon her wedding-ring,
and instantly crushed the mad words
back into my throat
Because It is right" replied slow
ly, feeling each sentence as a death
blow. For me to remain can mean
only one thing. For that l am ready
enough, II thought you desired 1t, but
dare not choose such a course my
self"
You speak in riddles. What is the
one thing?"
"a personal meeting with Major
Brennan"
The high color deserted her cheeks,
and her eyes met mine in sudden in
Quiry. ooh, no, mol" she exclaimed
with energy. You and Frank must
never meet in that way. You mean
a duel?"
/ bowed gravely u was permitted
to aid in defense Of this house only
by pledging myself to Major Brennan
afterwards"
But why need 1t beat least now
that you have stood together as COM
rades?"
Il fear" said quietly, that fact
will not count for much. We both
fought inspired by your presence"
''Mine!" / hardly knew how to in
terpret her tone.
Certainly; you cannot be ignorant
that Major Brennan's dislike is based
upon your friendship for me-"
But there is no reason" she STAN
mered He has no cause
His reason / must leave him to ex-
plain | interrupted, to relieve her evil
dent embarrassment His words, how
ever. were extremely explicit; and to
ignore them by departure is to i'm
peril my own reputation in both arm
les. l would do so for no one else in
the world but YOU
How can I ever thank you?" she
asked gravely. Captain Wayne, you
make me trust you utterly, and place
me constantly in your debt"
Then you realize that am right?"
YES" slowly, but making no eff
fort to release her hands yet is no
other escape possible?'
None within my knowledge"
And you must go?"
Il must go--unless you bid me
stay"
"Oh, I cannot; cannot at such a
cost!" she cried, and l could feel her
body tremble with the intensity of her
emotion. But, Captain Wayne, our
friendship surely need not be severed
now for ever? I cannot bear to think
that 1t should be. am no cold, heart
less migrate, and shall never forget
what you have done to serve me-
value every sacrifice you have made
on my behalf. Let US indeed part
now If. as you say. 1t must be so;
yet surely there are happier days In
store for both of us-days when the
men of this nation will not wear differ
ent uniforms and deem it manly to
fight and kill each other"
THE great struggle will certainly
cease, possibly within a very few
weeks" / answered, greatly moved by
her earnestness, "but / fear the men
eng ged in it will remain much the
sar in their natures however they
MI dress. / can only say this: Were
the path clear, would surely find you.
no matter where you were hidden
How terrible 1t is that a woman
m,.st ever choose between such evils"
che said almost bitterly. 1.-THE heart
says one thing and duty another all
through life. 1t seems to me- l have 80
much OF suffering in these last few
months, so much of heartless cruelty,
that cannot bear to be the cause of
any more, You and Major Brennan
must not meet; but, Captain Wayne,
will not believe that we are to part
thus forever"
DO you mean that am to seek you
when the war closest"
There will be no time when shall
mot most gladly welcome you"
Your homer" / asked, wondering
still II she could mean all that her
wards implied II have never known
where you resided in the north"
"Stonington, Conn" She smiled at
me through the tears yet cling
ing to her long lashes. You may
never come, OF course: yet | shall
always feel now that perhaps you will;
and that is not like a final goodby,
Is it?"
I bowed above the hands | held,
and pressed my lips upon them. For
the moment l burst not speak. and
then-a voice suddenly sounded in the
hall below:
Il am greatly obliged to you, Miss
Minor; she is probably lying down.
will run up and call her"
We started as II rudelv awakanod