Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-06-12
CHAPTER xxxl.-cOntlnusd.

"A mere waste of powder fear
was my reply, given thoughtlessly,
When the rush finally comes we are
likely to be without sufficient ammu-
milton to repel It. hardly expect
those fellows out there Will ever
leave without a determined effort TO
carry the house by storm. | have no
doubt they are simply drawing all this
FIRE IN the hope that our ammunition
will thus be uselessly expended. 1t
is an old army trick and one ! am sur
prised to see so experienced an officer
as Major Brennan yield to. In my
judgment they will make an effort to
rush US as soon as there is sufficient
light"
But why not warn him."
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" explained,
striving to SPEAK as lightly of it as
might be, that there is a lack Of
friendship between Major Brennan
and myself"
"Still?" she asked. Truly thought
that might all be over. Even II it 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 me since that night"
Not even when I came here with
my troop. l believer"
mo; yet | did not connect that
fact with the other, supposed it a
mere oversight, or that he believed
the mention of your name would not
greatly interest me. Surely, Captain
Wayne, you are not keeping open this
unhappy wound2"
ION my word, no; but | regret to
confess It is very far from being
closed"
'He-Major Brennan does not know,
then, that you are here now with me?"
She evidently hesitated to ask this
question
Certainly not" in surprise at her
apparent innocence, you cannot have
supposed l had been sent here by
him to talk with your"
Il did not know do not think
realized" she stammered, vainly
seeking for words with which to make
clear her bewilderment. II imagined
you might have come at his sugges-
ton to see that we were amply pro
tected. This is all 30 very strange.
l.
with us?"
NO" / admitted reluctantly. per
haps have no excuse even for being
here at all My duty as soldier is
certainly elsewhere, but l could not
rest content until knew you were in
a position of safety. Believe me- Mrs
Brennan, have intended no indiscre.
ton, but was informed by soldier
that you were being held here under
fire"
Her hand touched mine impulsively
and 1t was warm and throbbing.
81 can merely thank you with all
my heart, Captain Wayne, and assure
you both understand and appreciate
your purpose. But truly do not wish
any trouble to occur again--you will
go back to your post, will you not
You can serve me best in that way
and retain the gratitude and admira
ton | have ever felt for you"
AT once, Mrs Brennan" returned
earnestly. 81 realize have done
wrong in ever coming here as | have
II is my first act Of disobedience t
orders in all my military life. Blu
tell me first that | have forfeited
neither your confidence nor you
friendship"
She paused a moment, then addet
quickly, as though in sudden rush o
feeling: mo friend stands higher II
my esteem than you-now please &c
Captain Wayne"
AS crept back through the darR
ness, passing beneath the piano int
the front room, which was filled wit
the choking fumes of powder, m
mind was a chaos Of emotions impos
sible to analyze. The very depth Q
love which drew me to her operate
now in restraint God alone know
the struggle in the darkness as ! cor
tlnued to move slowly away from he
and toward the door. So deep was m
agitation, so intense my thought, tha
| scarcely realized ! was creepin
along barely beneath the dead line {
those bullets which constantly sweT
the apartment. Their crashing int
the wall was almost meaningless, an
barely noted either the dense smoR
OF the fitful flashes Of fame as tn
little garrison returned shot for sho