The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-02-08
CHAPTER xxxI.-contlnued.

"A mere waste of powder, fear"
was my reply. given thoughtlessly.
When the rush finally comes we are
likely to be without sufficient ammu.
milton to repel 1t. | hardly expect
those fellows out there Will ever
leave without determined effort &c
carry the house by storm. have no
doubt they are simply drawing all this
fire In the hope that our ammunition
viii thus be uselessly expended 1t
is an old army trick. and one am sur.
prised to see so experienced an officer
RS Major Brennan yield to. In my
Judgment they will make an effort to
rush us as soon as there is sufficient
Ight-"
But why not warn him?"
Major Brennan would scarcely wei.
come any interference on my part"
"But surely. as a soldier. he must
value the advice of another soldier?"
Possibly you forget" explained.
striving to spear as lightly of it as
might be. that there is a lack OF
friendship between Major Brennan
and myself"
"Still?" she asked "Truly thought
that might all be over. Even If it sur.
viVed until now, this noble act of
yours In coming to our defense should
have earned you his gratitude. He
he has never once mentioned your
name to me since that night"
Not even when I came here with
my troop. believe"
mo; yet did not connect that
fact with the other. supposed 1t
mere oversight. or that he believed
the mention of your name would not
greatly interest me. Surely, Captain
Wayne, you are not keeping open this
unhappy Wound?"
"On my word, no; but regret to
confess 1t is very far from being
closed"
~He-Major Brennan does not know.
then. that you are here now with me?"
.Sho evidently hesitated to ask this
question.
Certainly not" In surprise at her
apparent Innocence You cannot have
supposed had been sent here by
him to talk with you?"
II did not know. | do not think
Il reaHzed." she stammered, vainly
seeking for words with which to make
clear her bewilderment. 81 imagined
you might have come at his sugges.
ton to see that we were amply pro,
tected. This is all so very strange
He does not even know you are here
With Ms?"
NO" admitted reluctantly. "Per-
hapS have no excuse even for being
here at all My duty as soldier is
certainly elsewhere. but could not
rest content until knew you were in
a position of safety. Believe me. MRS
Brennan, { have intended no indiscre.
ton. but was informed by a soldier
that you we're being held here under
Are"
Her hand touched mine impulsively.
and 1t was warm and throbbing.
Il can merely thank you with all
my heart. Captain Wayne. and assure
you I both understand and appreciate
your purpose. But truly do not wish
any trouble to occur again-you will.
go back to your post. will you not?
You can serve me best in that way.
and retain the gratitude and admira-
tion { have ever felt for you"
"At once. Mrs. Brennan" returned
earnestly. Il realize I have done
Vryronu iD auar coD,fno hora oo haua
1t Is my first act of disobedience to
orders In all my military life. But
tell me first that have forfeited
neither your confidence nor your
frieRdship?"
She paused moment. then added
quickly. as though in sudden rush OF
feeling: mo friend stands higher In
my esteem than you-now please go,
Captain Wayue."
As crept back through the dark
ness, passing beneath the piano into
the front room. which was Oiled with
the choking fumes Of powder. my
mind was a chaos Of emotions impos.
sible TO analyze The very depth of
love which drew me to her operated
nov in restraint God alone knows
the struggle in the darkness as con.
Hnued to move slowly away from her
and toward the door. So deep was my
agitation. so intense my thought. that
scarcely realized 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 flame as the
little garrison returned shot for shot.
II was Brennan's voice-how hateful