The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-05-04

ing upon my own voice.
"Oh. one always trusts friends more
readily than strangers. and l have
seen you in danger before, and pos
sess such confidence in your courage
and resource
But Miss Minor took particular
care TO inform me you felt little or no
interest in me-that you never even
spoke OF me except as she compelled
you 10 do So
For a moment she did not answer.
How constant the firing continues"
she said at last. as ! sat struggling
dumbly with temptation
"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. I hardly expect
those fellows out there will ever
leave without a determined effort 10
carry the house by storm. have no
doubt they are simply drawing all this
FIRE in the hope that our ammunition
will thus be uselessly expended. II
is an old army trick, and one am sur.
prised 10 see so experienced an offcer
as Major Brennan yield to. In my
| judgment they will make an effort TO
rush us as soon as there Is sum
light"
But why not warn him."
Major Brennan would scarcely wei
come any interference on my part"
But surely. as q soldier. he must
value the advice OF another SOLDIER"
Possibly you forget" explained,
striving to speak as lightly OF II as
might be, that there is lack OF
friendship between Major Brennan
and myself"
"Still?" she asked. Truly thought
that might all be over. Even II II sur.
yiyed 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 came here with
my troop. believer"
NO; yet did not connect that
fact with the other. | supposed II
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 I regret to
confess II is very far from being
/ closed"
'He-Major Brennan does not know,
then, that you are here now with me?"
She evidently hesitated to ask this
question.
Certainly not" In surprise at her
apparent innocence. you cannot have
supposed | had been sent here by
1 him TO talk with your"
IL did not know do not think
I realized" she stammered, vainly
seeking for words with which TO make
/ clear her bewilderment. Il imagined
you might have come at his sugges-
! ton 70 see that we were amply pro-
tected. This is all so very strange.
lie does not even know you are here
! with us?"
No" | admitted reluctantly. per.
| haps | have no excuse even for being
here at all My duty as a soldier Is
certainly elsewhere. but l 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
fire"
Her hand touched mine impulsively,
and It was warm and throbbing.
II can merely thank you with all
my heart, Captain Wayne, and assure
! you | both understand and appreciate
your purpose. But truly do not wish
any trouble 10 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.
ton have ever felt for you"
AT once, Mrs. Brennan" ! returned
earnestly. Il realize ! have done
wrong In ever coming here as have.
II 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
friendship"
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 filled 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
now In restraint God alone knows
the struggle in the darkness as con
tinued 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