The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-02-08


We'll, 'taint quite so bad as that,
SIR" he protested, seemingly anxious
to shield his officer from adverse
criticism. You see it's double par
lor. with wall au' foldin' doors
ltween, an the women are all in the
rear room. OF course, it's almighty
dark back there, an they has to lie
pretty close, but blamed if | know OF
any better place for them. This
house hain't got no cellar
A man CROPPED his way in from the
lighted hall, but halted close beside
the door, unable to perceive us in the
darkness.
rs Captain Wayne here?' he asked.
"Yes; what is it?"
Major Brennan has had two of his
men hit, sir. and wishes you to spare
him three of yours, unless you are hot
ly pressed
"All right; there's nothing doing
here" | answered, instantly determn-
ing upon my course. Corporal, ]
shall leave you in command of this
side for a few minutes. | believe l
can be OF more immediate value else
where. Bungay, you and Elliott come
with me-"
The lower hall having no windows
in il. was the only safe place in the
building, and here a light had been
kept burning. The door which, as
judged, must lead into the back par
lor, was closed, and fastened upon
the inside At least 1t refused to yield
to my hand when tried. Another in
front stood very slightly ajar
Report to Brennan" | whispered
into Jeds ear "and forget to mention
| am with you. 1 desire to investigate
matters for myself few moments"
He nodded TO intimate that he un-
derstood, and then We crept, one at
time, into the front apartment, hug
ging the floor closely 10 keep beneath
the range of the bullets which swept
every now and then through the
broken windows, and chugged into the
wall behind us. | was the last to
wrggle In through the narrow open.
ing and rolling instantly out of the
tiny bar Of light. / lay silent for a
moment. endeavoring to get my bear
ings was determined upon just one
thing-to obtain speech with the WON
en-, learn. if possible their exact sit
uation, and, II found It necessary.
insist upon their better protection. An
insane jealousy Of me should not con
linue TO expose them to unnecessary
peril
Brennan was directly across the
room from where ! lay. / could hear
his voice issuing low. stern orders.
IF you'll only keep down you're
safe enough" he said grufIly. There
hasn't a shot come within foot OF
the sill. The ground slopes out yon-
der, and those fellows can't fire low.
Put the new men at the central win
dow, and let them shoot at every fash
they see, Bradley viii pass back their
empty guns"
] wondered bow long our supply OF
Ammunition would mold out with such
a fusillade kept uD, but ventured upon
no protest, Tor | was already cropping
my way through the darkness along
AhN AAAiANA wan Ai ldJ ONCl"
turned In every direction, and | ex.
perienced considerable difficulty in
making progress through the debris
without attracting attention. A great
square piano stood directly across the
entrance TO the back parlor, left by
he drawing nearly together of the
sliding doors. | waited until Bradley
had crawled through with an arm
iui OF loaded guns, and then entered
also. creeping silently between the
piano legs. AS did so a bullet struck
the case above, and the whole instru-
ment trembled to the impact, giving
forth strange moan, as II In pain.
Some one was groaning In the cor
ner at my lett, and supposing the
wounded TO be lying there, | turned
more toward the right, keeping as
| close az possible to the wall, hopeful
| might come in contact with one OF
the women, ! do Iot honestly know
why did this-really had no excuse.
except my natural distrust of Brennan,
coupled with an eager desire to be OF
service TO the woman of my heart.
There was little to guide me in the
search, as the flame OF the dlscharging
| rifles did not penetrate here. Once
heard the rustic of skirt, while a
faint sound of whispering reached me
from the rear of the room. Then my
hand, cropping blindly along the wall,
touched the lower fold OF a dress. 1t
ielt like coarse calico to my fingers.
Mrs. Bungay," | whispered eau
tiously. is this your"