The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-16

"a Brand You Here ard Now as Sneak
and Liar; Now VIII You Fisht7"
a nature, and has already been so
long neglected that feel every mo.
mont Of unnecessary delay to be n
crime. l wish you a pleasant return
within your own lines, and an early
cessation of hosuliue5.
I had shaken hands with them all,
and turned toward the door. congratu.
latins myself on escaping thus easily.
when q new voice broke suddenly in
upon my self-satisfacton:
Il trust Captain Wayne Is not in.
tending to depart without at least o
word with me?"
It was Brennan. He had entered
unobserved from the second parlor.
frankly" I responded, Il hoped /
might"
Have YOU forgotten, then, our com
pact, or do YOU simply elect to ig.
more it?"
saw the others exchange quick
Glances Of amazement, but l answered
ccolly:
THE latter suppositon is more
nearly the truth, Major Brennan. I
felt that after what we have Just
passed through together we could
both afford TO ignore the past, and
consequently was hoping to escape
without again encountering you"
Indeed" he exclaimed. sarcastic
ally. But might have expected
it. Gentlemen" and he turned to-
ward the cXpectant group, this man
ami have personal grievance Of
long standing unsettled have
sought him for months in vain. When
he came last night 10 our assistance.
before even consented to accept his
services I insisted that no occurrence
OF the defense should prevent our
meetins if we both survived. Now
he endeayOrs to sneak away like n
whipped cur. demand satisfaction
at his hands, and if it is refused I
shall denounce him in both armies"
My checks burned, but before
could control myself sufficiently for
answer, Moorehouse spoke.
But Brennan, see here" he said
an%lousiy, surely Captain Wayne has
served You well. Is this trouble be-
tween you so serious that no amends
axe p0ssible?'
None, short Of a personal meet
ing"
Captain" and the perplexed fed
eral commander turned toward me.
have you any word Of explanation in
this unfortunate AFFAIR.""
Very little" ! answered. 'T am
not even aware that / have done in.
jury to Major Brennan, purposely or
otherwise. He has not so much as
honored me with information as to his
cause of complaint. However, care
very little what it may be As he
has seen III to denounce me be-
fore officers OF my own corps. ] should
be extremely glad TO meet him upon
that ground alone: but after what we
have just passed through together. I
felt ready 60 blot out these pas, diff
ferenccs. Whatever they may have
been, they are not liable to occur
again, nor We to meet"
They have occurred again since you
have been I'm this house," Brennan
coward but I brand you here and now
as sneak and liar! Now will you
fght?'
We stood for a moment in utter ST.
lence, eye to eye. and I knew there
was no help for it. These words, pub
licly spoken, left me no choice.
Il am at your service. Major Bren.
nam" / returned sternly, now or at
any time. But ] am unfortunate here
i'm having no officer of my army pres
emf. and hence can name no sec
ond"
Doubtless one of these gentlemen
VIII consent to serve" he said, his
face bughtening at my reioinder.
Some one hastily pushed a way to
the front and Lieutenant Cation. pale
but determined stood at my shoulder.
'It win afford mo pleasure to act
for CAPTAIN Wayne he said clearly.
if he win accept my services More
over he added with significant
glance at Brennan 'T do this as
friend and with fun confidence that +.
' upon the right side in the quar-.
rel"
Tor o moment mo- one spoke. Ureu.
nau BITING bis mret3che to Keep back
tho words he burst not utter lb.o
Ceton turned to me.
u you sin retire to- the library.
Wayne 7 win arrange this matIc with
"nootcr may represent Major Bren.
man,
With slight formal bow To- those