Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-03-06
CHAPTER xxlN.-continued.

"a mere waste Of powder, I fear"
was 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 viii ever
leave without a determined effort to
carry the house by storm. I have no
doubt they are simply drawing all this
fire in the hope that our ammunition
will thus be useles8ly expended. 1t
is an old army trick, and one I I'm 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 a. another soldier?"
Possibly you forget" l explained,
striving to speak as lightly Of it as
might be, chat there is a lack of
friendship between Major Brennan
and myself"
"StiH?" she asked Truly l thought
that might al be over. Even if it sur
vived until now, this noble act of
yours in coming to our defense should
have earned you his gratitude He
he has never once mentioned your
name to me since that night"
Not even when I came here with
my troop. I believer"
No; yet I did not connect that
fact with the other. I supposed it a
mere oversight, or that he believed
the 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 l regret to
confess it 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 I had been sent here by
him to talk with your"
II did not know. do not think
I realized" she stammered, vainIy
seeking for words with which to make
clear her bewilderment 4 imagined
EOU might have come at his sugges-
lion 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" l admitted reluctantly. Per
haps I have no excuse even for being
here at all. My duty as a soldier is
certainly elsewhere. but I could not
rest content until l knew you were in
q position of safety. Believe ne, Mrs
Brennan, l have intended no indiscre-
tion, but I was Informed by a soldier
shat you were being held here under
fire"
Her hand touched mine impulsively.
and it 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 will
go back to your post. will you not?
II Ou Van SNA W AA4N bSHt Al AAAttl " az
and retain the gratitude and admira-
ton have ever felt for you
AT once. Mrs. Brennan" | returned
earnestly. Il realize I have done
wrong i1 ever coming here as | have.
1t is my first act of disobedience to
orders in all my military life. But
tell me first that | have forfeited
.;.,O~ vOlrr Cp0f,1eDpp NOR yns1r
friendship"
She paused a moment, then added
Quickly. as though in sudden rush of
fee'ing: NO friend stands higher in
my esteem than you-now please go,
Captain Wayne"
As c.ept back through the dark
oese Dass!rg beneath the piano into
she tront room. which was iltled with
the >aoLios tunes al powder my