Middletown transcript., 1912-02-10
CHAPTER xxxvI.
The Last cood-by.

slowly advanced toward us. Dalntlly
lifting her skirts to keep them from
contact with the weeds under foot,
her head poised proudly, her eyes
bit disdainful of it all, she paused be-
fore Cation.
Lieutenant" she questioned in a
clear tone which seemed to command
an answer, Il have always found you
an impartial friend. Will you kindly
inform me as to the true meaning OF
all this?"
He hesitated, hardly knowing what
to reply, but her imperious eyes were
upon him-they insisted, and he STAN
mered lamely:
1.-TWO Of the gentlemen, madam,
were about to settle a slight disagree
ment by means of the code"
Were about?" she echoed, scornful
Of all deceit. Surely heard shots as
1 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 its blood-stafned rooms men fought
and died, cheering in their agony like
heroes Of romance. l 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 defense Of the
weak. 1 thanked God upon my knees
that I had been privileged to know
such men and could call them friends
No nobler, truer, manlier deed at arms
was ever done! Yet, mark you, no
sooner 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. 1 care not what
the case may be-the act is shameful,
and an insult to every woman of this
household. Even as I 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.
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 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"
'T do not care to know" she an
swered coldly, NOR do I ever expect
to learn that murder can right a
wrong"
Murder! You use strong terms.
The code has been recognized for cen
turies as the last resort Of gentle
men,
"The code! 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 it's 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
" 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 were 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 may as well CO." He turned
and fronted me, his eyes glowing.
'fBut understand, sir, this is merely
q cessation, not an ending"
I bowed gravely, not daring to trust
my voice in speech, lest should yield
to the temptation Of my own temper.
Captain Wayne" she said, glancing
back across his broad blue shoulder,
and / thought there was a new quail
ity in her voice, the sting had some
way gone out of it, 81 shall esteem
it a kindness if you will call upon
me before you depart"
with pleasure" 1 hastened to re-
ply, my surprise at the request al
most robbing me Of speech, "but l
shall be compelled to leave at once,
as my troop is already under or
ders."
81 shall detain you for only =
moment, but after what you have
passed through on our behalf I 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
the corner Of the shed. Brennan
walked with stern face, his step
heavy, she with averted eyes, slight
smile Of triumph curling her lip. Then
Moorehouse stopped and picked up
the derringer the Major had thrown
away.
''By thunder, but she's right" he
exclaimed emphatically. 'I tell you
that's a mighty fine woman. Blame
me, if she didn't face us like a