The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-09

and l hastily dragged my dazed com
panion forward The others were in
advance, and we s.oped our way like
blind persons out into the hall BY
rare good fortune Il was yet unoc
cupied. and as we took the few hur.
ried steps toward the foot OF the
stairs | found my arm was encircllnp
Celia Minor The depth OF despair
within her dark eyes and the speech
less anguish of her white face, swept
for an instant the fierce rage of battle
from my brain.
At that moment the mob. discover.
ing our direction of escape. TANNED
both doorways and surged forth howl
ing into the hall.
"Up!" l cried, forcing her forward
Up with you; quick!'
paused a scant second to pluck 9
saber from beside dead soldier on
the floor, and then with a spring up
the intervening steps, faced about al
Brennan's side on the first landing.
1--WE ought to leave our mark on
those incarnate devils here" he said
grimly, wiping his red blade on the
carpet
Unless they reach the second story
from without and take us in the
rear l answered, 1--WE ought to hold
back the whole cowardly crew, SO
long as they refuse to fire"
1t was scene to abide long with a
mana horrible nightmare. never to
be forgotten. Above us. protected
somewhat by the abrupt curve of the
wide staircase, crouched the women
Two were sobbing. their heads buried
in their hands, but Maria and Mrs.
Brennan sat white of face and dry.
eyed. | caught one quick glance al
the fair face l loved-my sweet lady
OF the Notwithstanding, indeed, ii
might prove the last on earth, and
knew her eyes were upon me. Then
stronger Of heart than ever for the
coming struggle, fronted That scene
below
Through the rising haze Of smoke
l looked down into angry faces, un.
kempt boards, and branished weapons
The bafiled rascals poured out upon
us from both doors, crowding into the
narrow space, cursing. threatening,
thirsting for revenge. Yet they were
seemingly leaderless, and the boldest
among them paused at the foot of the
stairs. They had already felt our
arms, had tested our steel, and knew
well that grim death awaited their
advance.
But they could not pause there long
the ever increasing rush Of those
behind pressed the earlier arrivals
steadily forward Grim necessity fur.
nished a courage naturally lacking
and suddenly giving vent to a fierce
shout, they were hurled upward, seek
ing to crush us at whatever sacrifice
by sheer force of numbers. We met
them with the point, in the good old
Roman way, thrusting home remorse-
lessly, fighting with silent contemp
for them which must have been mad
dening. | even heard Brennan laugh
as he pierced a huge ru6ian through
the shoulder and hurled him back
ward; but at that moment / saw Crail
knock aside a levelled gun and pres.
his way to the front of the seethinl
mass to assume control. His face wa!
inflamed. his eyes bloodshot; drink haC
changed him into a very demon.
Damn we, Red told you not to fret
he yelled. Come on, you dogs! You
could eat em up if We wasn't sicl
blamed towards. There's only TWO
and Wen hang them yet"
He leaped straight up the broad
steps, his long cavalry sabre in hand
while a dozen of the boldest followed
him. Brennan swung his sword higl
over head, grasping it with boil
hands for a death-blow, even as
thrust directly at the fellows throat
The uplifted blade struck the chair
Of the hanging lamp, snapped at the
hilt, and losing his balance the Major
plunged headlong into the ruck be
meath. The downward fall of his body
swept the stairs.
AS l stood there, painting and breath
less, woman rushed downward. Be
lieving she would throw herself into
that tangled mass below, 1 instantly
caught her to me.
Don't" / cried an6iously. "You
cannot help him For Gods sake &C
back where you were"
1T is not that" she exclaimed. hel
voice thrilling with excitement. ooh
Captain Wayne, do you not hear the
bugles?'
AS by magic those hateful faces van
ished, disappearing by means Of ev
cry opening leading out from the hall
and when the cheering blue oats
surged in through the broken door,
was yet standing there, appeare ntly
alone but for the dead, leaning weak
and breathless against the wall, my
arm about Edith Brennan.