The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-05-04
CHAPTER xxxvl.
Tho Last Good.by.

NitlGS ner skirts 10 Keep them from
contact with the weeds under foot.
her head poised proudly. her eyes q
bit disdainful OF it all. she paused be-
fore Cation.
Lieutenant" she questioned in q
clear tone which seemed to command
an answer, Il have always found you
an impartial friend. VIII you kindly
inform me as to the true meaning OF
all this?"
He hesitated, hardly knowing what
to reply. but her imperious eyes were
upon him-they insisted. and he STAN
mered lamely:
1.-TWO OF the gentlemen. madam.
were about to settle a slight disagree
ment by means Of the code"
Were about?" she echoed. scornful
Of all deceit Surely heard shots AZ
came through the orchard"
One fire has been exchanged" he
reluctantly admitted
And Captain Wayne has been
wounded,"
| was not aware until that moment
that she had even 50 much rs noticed
my presence.
Very slightly. madam"
His opponent escaped uninjured?"
Cation bowed, glanced uneasily to
ward me. and then blurted forth i'm.
pulsively: Captain Wayne fired In
the air. madam"
"A most delightful situation, surely"
she said clearly and sarcastically.
One would almost suppose we had
wholly reverted to barbarism, and that
our boosted civilization was but mock
cry. Think Of II" and the proud dis
dain In her face held US silent, not
six hours ago that house yonder was
the scene of a desperate battle. With.
in its bloOd-stained rooms men fought
and died. cheering in their agony like
heroes Of romance. saw there two
men battling shoulder to shoulder
against q host Of Infatuated ruffians,
seeking to protect helpless women
They wore different uniforms. they
followed different flags, by the fortune
OF war they were enemies, yet they
could fight and die In defense OF the
weak l thanked God upon my knees
that had been privileged to know
such men and could call them friends.
No nobler. truer. manlier deed at arms
was ever done: Yet, mark you. no
sooner is that duty over-scarcely are
their dead comrades buried-when
they forget every natural instinct OF
OF gratitude, of true manliness. and
spring at each others throat like two
maddened beasts | care not what
the case may be-the act Is shameful,
and an insult to every woman OF this
household Even as | came upon the
field voices we're clamoring for snoth-
er shot. In spite OF the fact that one
| man stood already wounded. war
may be excusable. but this Is not war.
Gentlemen, you have fired your last
shot on this field. unless you choose
| to make me your target.
| She stood there as a queen might.
and commanded an obedience no man
among us burst refuse. Brennan
flushed face paled, and his lips trem'
bled as he sought to make excuse.
Edith" he protested. you do not
know, you do not understand There
| are wrongs which can be rishted IN
no other way"
Il do not care to know. she an
swered coldly. nor do ever expect
to learn that murder can right q
wrong"
| Murder. You use strong terms
The code has been recognized for cen
| turtles as the last resort OF gentle
men"
The code. Has 1t, indeed? What
gentlemen? Those of the south ex
clusively OF late That might posi-
bly, pardon your opponent. but not you
for you know very well that In the
north no man OF any standing woule
ever venture to resort to 1t. Moreover
even the code presupposes that mer
shall stand equal at its bari am IN
formed that Captain Wayne fired II
the air"
He hesitated, feeling doubtless thu
uselessness of further protest. yet SHIT
permitted him small opportunity fol
consideration. Major" she said quiet
ly but firmly, Il should be pleased u
have you escort me to the house
These words, gently az the!
were spoken. still constituted com
mand. Her eyes were upon his lace
and | doubt not he read within then
that he would forfeit all her respect
he failed to obey. Yet he yielded VIII
exceeding poor grace.
/ AS it seems impossible to con
tinue," he admitted bitterly. sup
pose / may as we'll CO." He turne'
and fronted me. his eyes glowing