The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-04-04

~ EA4HNAAAH
Very slightly. madam"
His opponent escaped u~ninjured7"
Cation bowed, glanced uneaslly to
ward me, and then blurted forth Inn
pulsively: Captain Wayne fired In
the air. madam"
"A most delightful situation, surely"
she said clearly and sar%castically.
One would almost suppose we had
wholly reverted to %barbarism, and that
our boosted 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 vas
the scene of a desperate battle. With.
In its blood-stained rooms men fought
and died, cheering in their agony like
heroes Of romance. 1 saw there two
men battling shoulder to shoulder
against a host Of infuriated ruf1ans,
seeking to protect helpless women
They wore different uniforms, they
followed different flags, by the fortune
of war they were enemies, yet they
could fight and die In defeuse of the
weak. ] thanked God upon my knees
that / had been privileged to know
such men and could call them friends.
No nobler, truer, manlier deed at arms
was ever donel Yet, mark you. no
soone is that duty over-scarcely are
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 we're clamoring for anoth-
er shot, in spite Of the fact hat one
man stood already wounded. War
may be excusable, but this is not war.
Gentlemen, you have fired 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 10 man
among us burst refuse. Brennan's
flushed face paled, ara mis- 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"
81 do not care to know" she an
swered coldly, NOR do l ever expect
to learn that murder a right 4
wrong"
"Murderl You use strong terms.
The code has been recognized for cen
turtles as the last resort Of gentle
men"
"The codel Has It, indeed? 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 it. Moreover,
even the code presupposes that men
shall stand equal at its bari am in
formed that Captain Wayne fired in
the air"
He hesitated, feeling doubtless the
~uselessness of further protest, yet she
permitted him small opportunity for
consideration. Major" she said quiet
ly but firmly, 81 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 we're upon his face,
and | doubt not he read within them
that he would forfeit all her respect If
he failed to obey. Yet he yielded with
exceeding poor grace.
"As it seems impossible to con
tinue," he admitted bitterly, Il sup
pose / nay as well 60" He turned
and fronted me, his eyes glowing
But understand, sir. this is merely
a cessation, not an ending"
bowed gravely, not daring to trust
my voice in speech, lest / should yield
to the temptation Of my own temper
Captain Wayne, she said, glanclng
back across his broad blue shoulder,
and I thought there was a new quail
ity in her voice, the sting had some
way gone out of it, Il shall esteem
It a kindness if you will call upon
me before you depart"
with pleasure" / fastened to re
ply, my surprise at the request al
most robbing me Of speech, but
shall be compelled to leave at once
as my troop is already under or
ders."
Il shall detain you for only q
moment. but after what you have
passed through on our behalf ] am
unwilling o should depart without
realizing our gratitude, You viii hnd
me in the library. Come. Frank.
am ready now"
We remained %motionless. watching
them until they disappeared around
the rne Of the shed. Brennan
walked with stern face, his steI
heavy, she with averted eyes, a slight
smile Of triumph curling her lip. Their
Moorehouse stopped and picked al
the derringer the Major had thrown
away.
by thunder, but she's right" he
exclaimed emphatically. Il tell yor
that's a mighty fine woman. Blame
me, IF she didn't face III Ike Z
queen"
No one answered. and without ex
changing another word we walked to
gether to the house. There / found
the remnant Of my troop standing
Ll-fI. anrfa I.wrnn Ih~maA rufaH d.