Middletown transcript., 1912-02-03
rising as l sp'

"a Brand You Here and Now as Sneak
and Liar; Now Will You Fight?"
a nature, and has already been SO
long neglected that l feel every mo-
ment Of unnecessary delay to be q
crime. / wish you a pleasant return
within your own lines, and an early
cessation of hostilities.
I had shaken hands with them all,
and turned toward the door, congratu.
lating myself on escaping thus easily,
when a new voice broke suddenly in
upon my self-satisfaction:
Il trust Captain Wayne Is not In,
tending to depart without at least a
word with me?"
It-was Brennan. He had entered
unobserYed from the second parlor.
Frankly" I responded, Il hoped /
might"
Have you forgotten, then. our com
pact, or do you simply elect to ig.
Eore it?"
1 saw the others exchange quick
glances Of amazement, but l answered
cooiiy:
THE latter supposition is more
nearly the truth, Major Brennan. 1
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 encounterlng you."
Indeed" he exclaimed, sarcastic
ally. "But I might have expected
1t. Gentlemen" and he turned to-
ward the expeotant group, this man
and have q personal grievance Of
long standing unsettled. have
sought him for months In vein. When
he came last night to our assistance.
before I even consented to accept his
services l insisted that no occurrence
0f the defense should prevent our
meeting, if we both survived. Now
he endeavors to sneak away like a
whipped cur. l demand satisfaction
at his hands, and if it is refused 1
shall denounce him in both armies"
My cheeks burned, but before l
could control myself sufficiently for
answer, Moorehouse spoke.
But, Brennan. see here" he said
anxiously, surely Captain Wayne has
served you well. Is this trouble be-
tween you so serious that no amends
are pessible?"
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" 1 answered. 81 am
not even aware that l have done in
jury to Major Brennan, purposeIy or
otherwise. He has not so much as
honored me with information as to his
cause of complaint. However, I care
very little what it may be. As he
has seen fit 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,
felt ready to blot out these past diff
ferences. Whatever they may have
been, they are not liable to occur
again, nor we to meet"
They have occurred again since you
have been in this house!" Brennan
broke forth excited1y. "You are not
coward, but brand you here and now
as a sneak and liar! Now will you
ight?"
We stood for a moment in utter ST.
lence, eye to eye, and 1 knew there
was no help for it. These words, pub
Iicly spoken, left me no choice.
Il am at your service, Major Bren-
man," I returned sternly, now or at
any time. But l am unfortunate here
in having no officer of my army pres
ent and hence can name no sec
ond."
Doubtless one Of these gentlemen
will consent to serve" he said, his
face Frightening at my rejoinder.
SSeEae ere hastily pushed a Way To
the front, and Lieutenant Cation, pale
but determined, stood at my shoulder.
ut will afford me pleasure to act
for Captain Wayne" he said clearly,
'if he will accept my services. More
over" he added, with a significant
glance at Brennan. 'I do this as a
friend, and with full confidence that I
am upon the right side in the quar-
rel"
For a moment no one spoke, Bren-
nan biting his mustache to keep back
the words he burst not utter. Then
Cation turned to me-
IF you will retire to the library,
Wayne, will arrange this matter with
whoever may represent Major Bren-
nan"
With a slight formal bow to those
present 1 quilted the room.