Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-01-26
Copyright, By A. c. Mcclurg 4 Co.
Entered a stsf3oeer.s HALL Lendon.

Entered - ptAk1u1% . FaaA6 NNfA-o-~
ITO the stairs!" painted. "Bren.
nan, take the women to the stairs;
those fellows are not In the hallway
yet. and we can hold them there q
while"
In our terrible need for haste, and
amid the thick, swirling smoke fill
ing that inner room almost to suffo
cation, grasped the woman CHANGING
to be nearest me, without knowing
at that moment who she was. AL
ready the rife-butts were splinterins
the light wood behind us into slaves,
and ! hastily dragged my dazed com.
panion forward. The others were In
advance, and we s.oped our way like
blind persons out into the hall. BY
rare good fortune 1t was yet unoc
cupied, and as we took the few hur
ried steps toward the foot of the
stairs found my arm was encirclins
Celia Minor. The depth of despair
within her dark eyes and the speech
less anguish of her white face. swept
for an instant the fierce rage of battle
from my brain.
At that moment the mob, discover
ing our direction of escape, damned
both doorways and surged forth howl
ing into the hall.
"Up!" I cried, forcing her forward
up with you; quick!"
paused a scant second TO pluck .
saber from beside a dead soldier on
the floor, and then with a spring up
the intervening steps, faced about al
Brennan's side ON the first landing.
eve ought to leave our mark on
those incarnate devils here" he said
grimly, wiping his red blade on the
carpet.
unless they reach the second story
from without, and take us In the
rear" | answered, I'VE ought to hold
back the whole cowardly crew. SO
long as they refuse to fire."
1t was scene to abide long with a
mana horrible nightmare never to
be forgotten. Above US, protected
somewhat by the abrupt curve of the
wide staircase. crouched the women
Two were sobbing, their heads buried
In their hands, but Maria and Mrs.
Brennan sat white of face and dry
eyed. / caught one quick glance at
the fair face 1 loved-my sweet lady
of the Notwithstanding, indeed, it
might prove the last on earth and
knew her eyes were upon me. Then,
stronger of heart than ever for the
coming struggle, fronted that scene
below
Through the rising haze of smoke
] looked down into angry faces, un.
kempt boards, and branished weapons
The baffied rascals poured out upon
us from both doors, crowding into the
narrow space. cursing, threatening,
thirsting for revenge Yet they were
seemingly leaderless, and the boldest
among them paused at the foot of the
stairs. They had already felt our
arms, had tested our STEEL and knew
well that grim death awaited their
advance
But they could not pause there long
the ever increasing rush Of those
behind pressed the earlier arrivals
steadily forward. Grim necessity fur
nished courage naturally lacking,
and suddenly, giving vent to fierce
shout, they were hurled upward, seek.
ing to crush us at whatever sacrifice,
by sheer force of numbers. We met
them with the point, in the good old
Roman way, thrusting home remorss-
lessly, fighting with silent contempt
for them which must have been mad
dening / even heard Brennan laugh,
as he pierced a huge ruffian through
the shoulder and hurled him back
ward; but at that moment saw Craig
knock aside levelled gun and press
his way to the front of the seething
mass to assume control. His face was
infiamed, his eyes bloodshot; drink had
changed him into a very demon.
Damn We, Red told you not to fire!"
he yelled. Come on, you dogs! You
blamed towards. There's only two,
and well hang them yet"
He leaped straight UP the broad
steps, his long cavalry sabre in hand,
while dozen of the boldest followed
him. Brennan swung his sword high
over head, grasping it with both
hands for a death-blow, even as
thrust directly at the fellows throat
The uplifted blade struck the chain
Of the hanging lamp. snapped at the
hilt, and losing his balance the Major
plunged headlong into the ruck be-
meath. The downward fall Of his body
swept the stairs
AS l stood there, painting and breath.
less, woman rushed downward. Be
lieving she would throw herself into
that tangled mass below, | instantly
caught her to me.
Don't" cried anxiousiy. ''You
cannot help him. For Gods sake go
back where you were"
ut is not that she exclaimed, her
voice thrilling with excitement. "oh.
Captain Wayne, do you not hear the
bugles p
AS by magic those hateful faces van.