Middletown transcript., 1912-01-13
CHAPTER XVIII.
We Capture a Courier.

"You seem to derive much amuse-
ment from a condition of affairs al
most intolerable to me-" said bitter
ly. 'T have always valued most highly
the friendship of Mrs. Brennan, but
this unfortunate occurrence will doubt
less end it."
She glanced up at me, her long
lashes wet, but her dark eyes spark
ling with mischief.
"Oh, she won't care so far as you
are concerned" she exclaimed indif-
ferently. But l suppose she will
think I am perfectly horrid. Well, l
don't care if she does; she might
have waited and learned the truth
first. Wasn't her face a study? And
how shall ever explain to Arthur so
that he will understand? I'm sure
have got the worst Of it. Oh, Captain
Wayne, is my hair all ruffled up? l
know look like a fright. You must
come in now, and we will explain to
Mrs. Brennan the whole matter. She
cannot help believing us both, while
know she would be so cold and
proud to me alone"
I shook my head decisively. Per
haps it was better ended so; at least
l possessed no courage just them to
face her indignation. She might but
deem We had concocted our explana-
ton, and would very likely receive it
with all the scorn she felt it deserved.
Besides, It was clear there was moth
ing could do to aid them. l should
be now merely an unweloome intru-
der. An escort was to be there short
ly to convoy them northward, and for
me to be found in their company by
Brennan would only infame him and
add greatly to the embarrassment Of
his wife's position. Much as l might
long for immediate vindication in her
sight, the plain duty of true love was
to depart at once, and permit time to
.straighten out the tangle.
you must pardon me-" I hastened
to say, standing hat in hand before
her, "but it would not be best for
me to intrude upon Mrs. Brennan aft
er her late reception. merely halt
ed here in order to assure myself OF
your presence and safety. My men
are even now waiting for me a few
hundred yards away"
But wish you to meet Arthur"
'Oh, think not, Miss Minor. feel
warm friendship for Lieutenant Cation,
but we wear different uniforms, serve
under different flags, and a meeting
here, both with armed forces behind
us, would naturally have to be a hos.
tile one. However the Lieutenant and
I might consent to a temporary truce,
his superior officer, Major Brennan,
would not likely prove Of the same
mind"
Then you really must go?''
Unless you specially desire to wit
ness cavalry skirmish in your front
dooryard, certainly consider it best"
and held out my hand Surely we
part as friends, and 1 may hope that
you will intercede in my behalf with
Mrs. Brennan?"
She rose up impulsively.
How ridiculous; how supremely RI |
diculous! Why, of course l will,
though 1 don't suppose Edith really /
cares very much, but she believed 1t |
would be highly proper to be shocked.
l don't think she likes you so very |
well anyway, Captain Wayne, for she
never will talk about you"
With these cheering words ringing |
in my ears, and feeling thoroughly de
feated in every cherished hope, /
strode savagely down the long hill and
mounted my horse. How roughly for
tune had sunfeted me, to be sure, and
how extremely small the inspiration
left. Well, perhaps I deserved it for
ever permitting myself to love one
whom I knew to be the wife of an
other. Doubtless she had seized upon
this slight pretext to be rid of me,
and was already rejoicing over its
easy accomplishment.
IN my agitation forgot entirely the
presence of Maria Bungay at the
house, and ordering my men into sad
die prepared for departure without
giving a thought to the. little fellow
and his domestic troubles. l chose
the road leading toward the north
west, for although had not asked the
question Conceived 1t highly probable
thss Brennan and his party would ride
from the Federal calvary quarters at
Golfers Church, and l had no desire
to meet them. They were upon an
errand of mercy of far greater impor-
tanee than my revenge.
As we swung along through the
heavily timbered land fringing our
road, Bungay pressed his mule into a
trot and finally succeeded in ranging
up at my side. Even in my disturbed
mental condition 1 was amused at his
unique style of riding, although !
would not wound him by laughing.
I say, Cap" he said, jerking the
words out to the mules hard trot, and
grasping his saddle pommel desper
ately, Il sorter reckon as how ther'H
be some fun back thar afore long less
AL signs fail"
''Why?", stared at him, now thor.
oughly aroused to the thought that
he had important news to communi
cate.
Wal" he explained slowly, "whin
re wint of, sorter tux a notion ter
ook bout q bit. Used ter be an oil
'tempin' ground o. mine. So Dutchy {
gn' me elumb thet big hill back o. '
knaf we halted, and by gum, down
.har in ther gully on t other side l
har's burned big camp o. fellers" {
reined up short, and with uplifted
land signalled the men behind to '
lalt. I
Why didn't you tell me this be
ore?" I questioned sternly. How
many were there? and what did they '
he scratched TIE SscE Of his head t
and answered with care r
il deliberation. 'Durn 1t, didn't /
ne ye TIL after I'd started, an ] K
,ckon as how it took me all O. tew +
ne ter git this yere blame muel uT
n whar cud TAX. Thar's quite a
mart bunch. but they had some pick v
s out. an cudn't gif close 'hough 4
: feI1 zaetIv. DutcfY thought thar