The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-02-15
CHAPTER XXXl.-Contlnued.


MAS my reply, given thoughtlessly.
When the rush finally comes we are
likely to be without sufficient ammu-
milton TO repel It. | hardly expect
those fellows out there Will ever
leave without determined effort 10
carry the house by storm. have no
doubt they are simply drawing all this
fire in the hope that our ammunition
will thus be useessly expended 1t
is an old army trick. and one am sur
prised to see so experienced an officer
as Major Brennan yield to. In my
judgment they Will make an effort to
rush us as soon as there Is sufficient
light"
But why not warn him."
Major Brennan would scarcely wei
come any interference on my part.
But surely, as a soldier. he must
value the advice Of another SOLDIER"
Possibly you forget" explained
striving to spear as lightly of 1t as
might be. that there Is a lack Of
friendship between Major Brennan
and myself"
"Still?" she asked Truly thought
that might all be over. Even II 1t sur.
vived until now. this noble act Of
yours in coming to our defense slould
have earned you his gratitude. lie
he has never once mentioned your
name to me since that night"
Not even when ! camG here with
my troop. | believer"
No: yet | did not connect that
fact with the other supposed Il a
mere oversight, or that he believed
he mention Of your name would not
greatly interest me Surely. Captain
Wayne, you are not keeping open this
unhappy wound?"
"On my word, no; but | regret to
confess 1t Is very far from being
closed"
"He-Major Brennan does not know
then. that you are here now with me-"
She evidently hesitated to ask this
question,
Certainly not" In surprise at her
apparent innocence. You cannot have
supposed had been sent here by
him to talk with you?"
Il did not know do not think
realized" she stammered, vainly
seeking for words with which to make
clear her bewiderment. Il imagined
you might have come at his sugges-
ton to see that we were amply pro.
tected. This is all so very strange.
He does not even know you are here
with us?'
No | admitted reluctantly. Per.
haps | have no excuse even for being
here at all My duty as soldier Is
certainly elsewhere. but ! could not
rest content until knew you were In
Pa position OF safety Believe me, MRS
Brennan, ! have intended no indiscre
ton, but ! was informed by soldier
! that you were being held here under
| fte'
Her hand touched mine impulsively
tld It was warm and throbbng
81 can merely thank you with al
NO heart, Captain Wayne, and assur,
your purpose, But truly | DC not wisl
any trouble to occur again-you VII
20 back TO your post, will you not
You can serve me best in that way
and retain the gratitude and admire
ton have ever felt for you"
AT once. Mrs. Brennan" returne
earnestly Il realize ! have don
wrong In ever coming here as hav,
II is my first act Of disobedience [
orders In all my military life. BIT
tell me first that have forfeite
neither your confidence nor you
J friendship"
She paused a moment, then adde
quickly as though in sudden rush
feeling: NO friend stands higher
my esteem than you-now please &
Captain Wayne"
, As crept back through the dar
ness, passing beneath The piano In
? the front room which was filed wi
the choking fumes OF powder II
mind was a chaos OF emotions impc
sible to analyze The very depth
A love which drew me to her operat,
y now In restraint God alone kno'
!. the struggle In the darkness as ] &C
!. tinued to move slowly away from b
and toward the door SO deep was 4
r agitation. so intense my thought tn
: | scarcely realized ! WAS creepl
along barely beneath the dead line
those bullets which constantly swt
the apartment Their crashing u
e the wall was almost meaningless, a
barely noted either tbA dense smo
D or the fitful flashes ~ flame as
'ittle garrison returned shot for SD