Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-01-12

And he keeps hem there, exposed
to all this heavy fire? What can the
man mean? Why, Corporal. that con-
slant shooting must have completely
shattered the windows. There could
be no safety for any one except lying
fat upon the floor
We'll. faint quite so bad as that,
sir" he protested. seemingly anxious
to shield his officer from adverse
criticism. You see it's double par.
los, with a wall ar foldin' doors
atween. an the women are all In the
rear room. OF course, it's almighty
dark back there, an they has to lie
pretty close, but blamed If | know OF
any better place for them. This
house hain't got no cellar"
A man CROPPED his way in from the
lighted hall, but halted close beside
the door, unable to perceive US in the
darkness.
rs Captain Wayne here?" he asked.
Eyes; what is it?"
Major Brennan has had two Of his
men hit, sir, and wishes you to spare
him three of yours, unless you are hot
ly pressed"
"All right; there's nothing doing
here" / answered, instantly determin-
ing upon my course. Corporal. I
shall leave you in command OF this
side for a few minutes. l believe I
can be of more immediate value else
where. Bungay, you and Elliott come
with me-"
The lower hall, having no windows
in it. was the only safe place In the
building, and here light had been
kept burning. The door which, as
judged, must lead into the back par
lor, was closed, and fastened upon
the inside. AT least 1t refused to yield
to my hand when tried. Another in
front stood very slightly ajar.
Report to Brennan" / whispered
into Jed's ear, ''and forget to mention
l am with you. / desire to investigate
matters for myself few moments"
He nodded to intimate that he I'M
derstood. and then we crept, one at a
time, into the front apartment, hug
ging the floor closely to keep beneath
the range of the bullets which swept
every now and then through the
broken windows, and chugged iato the
wall behind us was the last to
wriggle in through the narrow open
ing, and rolling instantly out of the
tiny bar of light, | lay silent for a
moment, endeavoring to get my bear
ings. l was determined upon just one
thing-to obtain speech with the wom-
en-, learn, If possible. their exact sit
uation, and, if | found 1t necessary,
insist upon their better protection. An
insane jealousy Of me should not con-
tinue to expose them to unnecessary
peril
Brennan was directly across the
room from where I lay. l could hear
his voice issuing low, stern orders.
IF you'll only keep down you're
safe enough" he said gruffiy. There
hasn't shot come within a foot OF
the sill. The ground slopes out yon-
der, and those fellows can't fire low.
Put the new men at the central win
dow, and let them shoot at every flash
they see. Bradley will pass back their
empty guns"
wondered how long our supply Of
ammunition would hold out with such
fusillade kept up, but ventured upon
no protest for / was already cropping
my way through the darkness along
the inner wall Furniture lay over
turned in every direction, and l ex-
perienced considerable difficulty in
making progress through the debris
without attracting attention. A great
square piano stood directly across the
entrance to the back parlor, left by
the drawing nearly together of the
sliding doors. | waited until Bradley
had crawled through with an arm
full OF loaded guns, and then entered
also, creeping silently between the
piano legs. AS did so bullet struck
the case above, and the whole instru-
ment trembled to the impact, giving
forth strange moan, as If in pain.
Some one was groaning in the cor
ner at my left, and supposing the
more toward the right, keeping as
close as possible to the wall, hopeful
| might come in contact with one of
the women. | do not honestly know
why did this-really had no excuse,
except my natural distrust OF Brennan,
coupled with an eager desire to be Of
service to the woman of my heart.
There was little to guide me in the
search, as the flame of the discharging
rifles did not penetrate here. Once |
heard the rustic of a skirt, while
faint sound of whispering reached me
from the rear of the room. Then my
hand, cropping blindly along the wall,
touched the lower fold of dress. 1t
felt like coarse calico to my fingers.
Mrs. Bungay," l whispered eau
tiously. lis this your"
The woman started at sound OF my
voice, but replied In the same low
tone: "Thet's my name; who mought
We be?"