The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-05-25

Were about?" she echoed. scornful
OF all deceit Surely 4 heard shots as
/ came through the orchard"
'one fire has been exchanged" he
reluctantly admitted.
And Captain Wayne has been
wounded?"
] was not aware until that moment
/ that she had even so much as noticed
my presence.
Very slightly. madam"
His opponent escaped uninjured?"
Cation bowed, glanced uneasily to.
ward me. and then blurted forth I'm.
pulsively: Captain Wayne fred in
the air. madam"
"A most delightful situation, surely"
she said clearly and sarcastically.
One would almost suppose We had
/ wholly reverted to barbarism, and that
/ our boasted civilization was but mock.
! cry. Think OF IT," and the proud dis
dain In her face held us silent, mot
| six hours ago that house yonder was
| the scene OF a desperate battle With
| In It's blood-stained rooms men fought
and died. cheering In their agony like
heroes OF romance. saw there two
! against host OF Infatuated ruffians,
/ seeking 10 protect helpless women
! They wore different uniforms. they
/ followed different flags. by the fortune
i OF war they were enemies yet they
i could fight and die In defense OF the
weak. thanked God upon my knees
! that | had been privileged TO know
such men and could call them friends.
+ No nobler, truer manller deed at arms
I WAS ever donel Yet, mark you, no
sooner Is that duty oyer-scarcely are
i their dead comrades buried--when
they forget every natural instinct OF
OF gratitude. OF true manliness, and
spring at each others throat like two
| maddened beasts / care not what
| the case may be-the act is shameful,
and an insult to every woman of this
household Even as ] came upon the
! field voices were clamoring for anoth-
er shot. in spite OF the fact that one
man stood already wounded War
may be excusable, but this is not war
4 Gentlemen, you have fred your last
shot on this field, unless you choose
! to make me your target"
| She stood there as a queen might.
and commanded an obedience no man
among us burst refuse. Brennan's
| flushed face paled, and his lips trem-
| bled as he sought to make excuse.
Edith" he protested, you do not
know, you do not understand There
are wrongs which can be righted In
no other way"
| II do not care 70 know" she an
swered coldly, nor do ever expect
to learn that murder can right a
wrong"
Murder! You use strong terms.
: The code has been recognized for cen
| turtles as the last resort OF gentle
men"
The code! Has IT. indeed2 What
gentlemen? Those of the south ex-
clusively of late. That might posi-
bly, pardon your opponent, but not you,
for you know very well that in the
north no man Of any standing would
ever venture TO resort to II. Moreover
even the code presupposes that men
shall stand equal at Its bari am in
formed that Captain Wayne fred in
the air"
lie hesitated, feeling doubtless the
uselessness OF further protest, yet she
permitted him small opportunity for
consideration Major" she said quiet
ly but firmly, Il should be pleased to
have you escort me to the house"
These words, gently as they
were spoken. still constituted a com
mand Her eyes were upon his face.
and doubt not he read within them
that he would forfeit all her respect n
he failed 20 obey Yet he yielded with
exceeding poor grace
AS Il seems impossible to con-
tinue." he admitted bitterly, Il sup
pose may as well go" He turned
and fronted me, his eyes glowing
But understand, sir, this Is merely
n cessation, not an ending"
| bowed gravely. not daring TO trust
my voice I'm speech, lest | should yield
to the temptation of my own temper.
Captain Wayne" she said, glaneing
back across his broad blue shoulder.
and | thought there was new quail
fly in her voice, the sting had some
way gone out OF Il. Il shall esteem
IL a kindness II you will call upon
me before you depart"
with pleasure" | FASTENED TO re-
ply, my surprise at the request al
most robblng me OF speech, but
shall be compelled 10 leave at once,
as my troop is already under or
ders"
Il shall detain you for only a
moment. but after what you have
passed through on our behalf ] am
unwilling you should depart without
realizing our gratitude. You will find
me in the library Come, Frank. |
am ready now"
We remained motionless. watching
them until they disappeared around
| tha gornar ~ tho ahed brennan