The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-02-09
CHAPTER XxXI.-Continued.

"a mere waste of powder, | fear"
was my reply. given thoughtlessly.
When the rush finally we are
GAkely to be without sufficient ammu-
ssIion to repel 1t. I hardly expect
s1pse fellows out there Will ever
Eeave without a determined effort to
.'carry the house by storm. l have no
aoubt they are simply drawing all this
me in the hope that our ammunition
sill thus b~ uselessly expended. 1t
IS an old army trick, and one am sur
Eyfised to see 80 experienced an officer
fxs Major Brennan yield to. In my
f$1dgment they will make an effort to
tedsh us as soon as there is sufficient
NSzht."
a 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" I explained.
striving to speak as lightly OF it as
snight be. that there is a lack Of
friendship between Major Brennan
and myself"
"Still?" che asked. Truly | thought
mat might all be owe Even II it sur
~ived until now, this noble act OF
yours In coming to our defense should
bave earned you his gratitude. He
be has never once mentioned your
nane to rae since that night"
mot e*en when ! came here with
any troop, Z beiieve?"
mo; yet | did not connect that
cact with the other. l supposed It a
e 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 wound?"
"On my word. no.; but I regret to
confess 1t Is very far from being
closed"
"He-Major Brennan does not know.
fAen, that you are here now with me?"
tShe evidently hesitated to ask this
alestion.
Certainly not" In surprise at her
spparent innocence. you cannot have
EhPPooCA = OCtu ocut QcTe DJ
aim to talk with your"
II did not know. | do not think
K realized" she stammered, vainly
tseeking for words with which to make
trlear her bewilderment. IL imagined
ygou might have come at his sugges-
Zion to see that we we're amply pro-
fected. This is all SO very strange.
Pie does not even know you are here
tafth us?"
NO" l admitted reluctantly. "Per-
yhaps l have no excuse even for being
Gere at all. My duty as a soldier is
certainly elsewhere, but | could not
pest content until l knew you were in
s. position of safety. Believe me, MRS.
Brennan. I have intended no indiscre-
ZION. but was informed by a soldier
chat you were being held here under
Gre"
Her hand touched mine impulsively
end 1t was warm and t%hrobbing.
Il a merely thank you with all
eny heart, Captain Wayne, and assure
you I both understand and appreciate
3our purpose. But truly I dc not wish
any trouble to occur again-you will
go back to your post, will you not!
You a serve me best In that way
and retain the gratitude and admira
aion I have eve felt for you"
AT once, Mrs. Brennan" l returned
earnestly. Il realize I have done
wrong in ever coming here as | have
n is my first act of d~isobedience t
crders in all my military He r
xeu me first that l have torfeiLet
peither your confidence nor you
arfendship?'
she paused . moment, then adde'
uuickly. as though In sudden rush o
gseling: mo friend stands higher 4
ny esteem than you-now please &c
Captain Wayne"
As / crept back through the darl
0css. passing beneath the piano int
tao front room. which was filled wit
zhs choking fumes Of powder, 70