The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-01-25
CHAPTER xviii.
, We Capture a Courier.

aroused me thoroughly to a sense of
our situation.
You seem to derive much amuse-
ment from a condition Of affairs al
most intolerable to me-" l said bitter
ly. Il have always valued most highly
the friendship of Mrs. Brennan, but
this unfortunate occurrence will doubt
less end it."
She glanced up al me. her long
lashes wet. but her dark eyes spark
ling with mischief.
"Oh. she won't care so far az you
are concerned" she exclaimed .ndif.
ferently. But l suppose she will
think ! am perfectly horrid. Well, l
don't care If she does: she might
have waited and learned the truth
first. Wasn't her face a study? And
how shall l ever explain to Arthur so
that he will understand? I'm sure l
have got the worst Of it. Oh, Captain
Wayne, is my hair all ruf1ed up? l
know | look like a fright. You must
come In now, and we will explain to
Mrs. Brennan the whole matter. She
cannot help believing us both, while
! know she would be so cold and
proud to me alone"
| shook my head decisively. Per
haps it was better ended SO; at least
l possessed no courage just them to
face bel indignation. She might but
deem we had c%oncocted our explana-
ton. and would very likely receive it
with all the scorn she felt it deserved.
Besides, it was clear there was moth
ing | could do to aid them. l should
be now merely an unwelcome intru-
der. An escort was to be there short
ly to convoy them northward, and for
me to be found in their company by
Brennan would only infame him and
add greatly to the embarrassment of
his wife's position. Much as l might
long for immediate vindication in her
sight. the plain duty of true love was
to depart at once. and permit time to
st%raighten out the tangle.
You must pardon me-" | fastened
to say, standing hat in hand before
her, but 1t would not be best for
me to intrude upon Mrs. Brennan aft
er her late reception. l merely halt
ed here IN order to assure myself of
your presence and safety. My men
are even now waiting for MI a few
hundred yards away"
But l wish you tt meet Arthur"
"Oh, l think not, Miss Minor. | feel
warm friendship for Lieutenant Cation.
but we wear different uniforms, serve
under different flags, and a meeting
here, both with armed forces behind
us, would naturally have to be a hos
tile one However the Lieutenant and
| might consent to a temporary truce.
his superior officer, Major Brennan,
would not likely prove of the same
mind"
Then you really must go?"
Unless you specially desire to wit
e a cavalry skirmish in your front
%dooryard. ] certainly consider it best"
and | held out my hand. Surely we
part as friends, and l may hope that
you will intercede in my behalf with
Mrs. Brennan"
She rose up impulsively.
How ridiculous; how supremacy RI
diculous! Why. of course will.
though l don't suppose Edith really
cares very much, but she believed it
would be highly proper to be shocked.
l don't think she likes you so very
we'll anyway, Captain Wayne. for she
never will talk about you"
With these cheering words ringing
in my ears. and feeling thoroughly de-
feated in every cherished hope, l
strobe savagely down the long hill and
mounted my horse. How roughly for
tune had suffeted me, to be sure. and
how extremely small the inspiration
left. Well, perhaps deserved it for
ever permitting myself to love n
whom | knew to be the wife of an
other. Doubtless she had seized upon
this slight pretext to be rid of me.
and was already rejoicing I've its
easy accomplishment.
In my agitation | forgot entirely the
presence of Maria Rungay at the
house. and ordering my men into sad
die prepared for departure without
giving a thought to the little fellow
and his domestic troubles. chose
the road leading toward the north
west, for although | had not asked the
question | conceived it highly probable
that Brennan and his party would ride
from the Federal calvary quarters at
Golfers Church. and ! had no desire
to meet them. They were upon an
errand of mercy Of far greater impor-
lance than my revenge.
AS WI swung along through the
heavily timbered land fringing our
road. Bungay pressed his mule into q
trot and finally succeeded in ranging
up at my side. Even in my disturbed
mental condition | was amused at his
unique style of riding, although
would not wound him by laughing.
tTO BE CONTINUED.)