The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-09
CHAPTER XXX.
A Conversation In the Dark.


In my extreme surprise at the in
innate cordially expressed by her
words and manner / failed In utter
ance. Anticipating coldness. indiffer-
ence, possibly even resentment at my
presuming to approach her. i was in
stead greeted by an unstudied warmth
OF welcome that made my heart beat
fercely.
Surely l. am not mistaken" she
questioned. rendered doubtful by my
silence. rs not this Captain Wayne7"
There Is no mistake" I FASTENED to
assure her. but l had anticipated
from our last meeting a far less cor
dial greeting"
"Oh," she exclaimed. with a light
laugh, and is that all? Yet surely, If
l was to believe my own eyes / was
perfectly justified in my actions then.
However, Captain, l have been forced
to realize the truth OF that situation,
and am now disposed to make up to
you in kindness for all my unjust
suspicious"
II am more than delighted to learn
that cloud is no longer to overshadow
US. Miss Minor has made a full ex-
PLANTATION them"
You have been completely exon
Grated, and restored to my good
graces."".
AS she spoke, became aware that
she was busily engaged upon some
task. and when she ended I felt the
steel of a,gun-barrel touch my hand.
Please pass this to Maria" she
said calmly, "and hand me back the
one she has"
You are loading. them" asked, as
I complied with her request.
I'VE have all been busy. Isn't it
terrible? / was so frightened at first,
but now they tell me that you and
your men have come, there is no lon
ger danger of those horrible creatures
getting In here"
You knew, then, that was in the
house?"
II was told some noble Confederates
had accompanied Lieutenant Cation
back to aid us, but your name was
not mentioned"
Then my, appearance must have
proven complete surprise?"
YES, and no." she answered frank
ly. 81 was not sure IT was you OF
course, and i did not venture to ask,
but / knew you were in the neighbor-
hood, andLthat such an act would be
In way characteristic. was GER
tain you would come II you knew, and
II, well really. l hoped it was"
In spite OF slight effort at restraint
] CROPPED ; in the darkness until 1
touched her hand. For the moment
she permitted me to retain It, as II
unconsclously. within my grasp
"Why?'I questioned, scarcely rely
ing upon my own voice
"Oh, one always trusts friends more
readily than strangers, and l have
seen you In danger before, and pos
Bess 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 to doIsol'
How constant the firing continues"
she said at last. as l sat struggling
dumbly with temptation
"A mere waste of powder, fear"
was my reply, given thoughtlessly.
When tho rush finally comes we are
likely TO be without sufficient ammu-
milton TO repel IT, I hardly expect
those fellows out there will ever
leave without determined effort to
carry the house by storm l have no
doubt they are simply drawing all this
fire IN the hope that our ammunition
Will thus be ugelessly expended. IT
Is an old army trick and one / am sur
prised to see 50 experienced an officer
as Major Brennan yield to. In my
judgment they Will make an effort %
rush us as soon as there is sufficient
light"
But why not warn him7"
Major Brennan would scarcely vel.
come any Interference on my part"
But surely. as a soldier, he must
value the advice Of another SOLDIER"
Possibly you forget" I explained.
striving TO speak rs 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 n II 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 me8inee that night"
mot even when came here with
my troop. ] believer"
No; yet ] did not connect that