The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-03-23

ton, but was informed by soldie
that you were being held here unde
fire"
Her hand touched mine impulsively
and 1t was warm and throbbing.
can merely thank you with al
my heart, Captain Wayne, and assure
you ! 10th understand and appreciate
your purpose. But truly do not wish
any trouble to occur asain-you VII
80 back to your post. will you not;
you can serve NE best in that way
and retain the gratitude and admira
ton have ever fe,t for you"
! t once, Mrs. Brennan" returned
earnestly. Il realize have done
wrong IN ever coming here as have
L IS ny first act O! disobed!ence 10
orders In al my military lie. But
te!i ne first that ! have forfeited
neither your confidence nor your
iriendship?"
she paused a moment, then added
quickly. as though In sudden rush OF
feeling: No friend stands higher In
my esteem than you-now please go,
Captain Wayne"
AS crept back through the dark
ness. passing beneath the piano into
the front room, which was filed with
| the choking fumes OF powder, my
| mind was chaos OF emotions impos-
slble TO analyze. The very depth of
love which drew me to her operated
now IN restraint God alone knows
the struggle IN the darkness as l con-
t!nued to move slowly away from her
and toward the door. So deep was my
agitation. SO intense my thought, that
| scarcely realized l was creeping
along barely beneath the dead line OF
those bullets which constantly swept
the apartment. Their crashing into
the wall was almost meaningless, and
| barely noted either the dense smoke
or the fitful flashes OF fame as the
little garrison returned shot for shot
II was Brennan's voice-how hateful
it sounded then-which recalled my
attention.
"Mapes." he said, with the sharp
tone Of wearied command, take
crack at that fellow over yonder by
the big tree; he must be In range
You men. verify believe. shut your
eyes when you shoot, for there hasn't |
q man dropped out there in the last
half hour"
| bad reached tie door by this time, |
but paused now. determined to ven
ture one word of expostulation at his
recklessness.
Major Brennan" I said, speaking !
loud to be audible above
the uproar. do you not think they will I
attempt 20 charge the house?"
mot while we keep up this fire" he
returned coldly. evidently recognizing
my voice.
Il grant that, at least while dark.
ness lasts. But you have just COM
planned that your men were doing but
small execution, and is there not dan
ger Of exhaustinG our stock of ammu-
milton by such useless fusillade?"
1T will last until our fellows get
here-that is, If your man was ever
really sent for aid, as you say"
There was a thinly yelled sneer In
the words as he spoke them. but
curbed my temper.
We'll, in my judgment, strand
ell it you because deem it duty"
retorted plainly. you are making
grave mistake which you may realize
when 1t becomes too late - rectify 1t.
HI rfrh rit Jofe |
me who is technically in command.
ret I am serving as a volunteer. and
he conditions are peculiar. not
)nly remember the scene witnessed by
ne In the lines yonder, but also recall
he fact that we are here to fulfil a
acred duty-the defense of helpless
women from outrage. A fatal mis-
axe upon our part would be horri-
lie"
Very well, sir"-and his tone was
ough and oyerbearing-'then kindly ,
ecall your soidierly instincts to an ,
ther little matter. I chance to COM
nand here by authority of rank. and :
old myself responsible FOR the proper 6
License Of this portion Of the house. ,
believe you have already been as
!gned your duties; If you will attend /
0 them shall be greatly obliged. and
;henever | may desire your valuable Z
dvice shall take pleasure in sending
Or you"
! turned away In silence and strobe
ack to my post, white with anger /
he dining-room remained as had g
Eft it. and when / lay down In my
Id position and peered out through b
he broken blind l could mark no q
hange in the appearance of our be-
egers.