The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-02-08
CHAPTER XXI.
A Conversation In the Dark.

A Conversation In the Dark.
In my extreme surprise at the in
innate cordiality expressed by her
words and manner failed in utter
ance. Anticipating coldness, indifer-
ence, possibly even resentment at my
presuming to approach her, l was in
stead greeted by an unstudied warmth
Of welcome that made my heart beat
fiercely.
Surely I am not mistaken" she
questioned. rendered doubtful by my
silence rs not this Captain Wayne?'
There is no mistake" I fastened to
assure her, but | had anticipated
from our last meeting a far less cor
dial greeting"
oh" she exclaimed, with a light
laugh, and is that all? Yet surely, If
was to believe my own eyes | was
perfectly justified In my actions then.
However. Captain, | have been forced
to realize the truth of that situation,
and am now disposed to make up to
you in kindness for all my unjust
suspicious"
81 am more than delighted to learn
us. Miss Minor has made a full ex-
planation, them"
You have been completely exon
Grated. and Restored to my good
graces."
AS she spoke I became aware that
she was busily engaged upon some
task, and when she ended | felt the
steel of a gun-barrel touch my hand.
please pass this to Maria" she
said calmly, "and hand me back the
one she has"
You are loading. them" asked, as
| complied with her request.
I'VE have all been busy. Isn't 1t
terrible? | was so frightened at first,
but now they tell me that you and
your men have come, there is no lon.
ger danger of those horrible creatures
getting in here"
You knew, then, that was in the
house,"
Il was told some noble Confederates
had accompanied Lieutenant Cation
back to aid us, but your name was
not mentioned"
"Then my appearance must have
proven complete surprise?"
"Yes, and no." she answered frank
ly. Il was not sure II was you, OF
course, and / did not venture to ask,
but ! knew you were in the neighbor.
hood, and that such an act would be
In way characteristic. | was GER
tain you would come il you knew, and
II, we'll really, ! hoped 1t was"
In spite Of slight effort at restraint
| groped in the darkness until |
touched her hand, For the moment
she permitted me to retain 1t, as II
unconsclously. within my grasp.
"Why?" ! questioned, scarcely rely.
ing upon my own voice,
"Oh, one always trusts friends more
readily than strangers, and | have
seen you In danger before, and pos
sess such confidence in your courage
and resource"
But Miss Minor took particular
care to inform me you felt little or no
interest in me-that you never even
spoke Of me except as she compelled
you to do So"
For moment she did not answer.
How constant the firing continues"
she said at last, as | sat struggling
dumbly with temptation.
"A mere waste of powder, l fear"
was my reply, given thoughtlessly,
When the rush finally comes we are
likely to be without sufficient ammu-
milton to repel 1t. l hardly expect
those fellows out there VIII ever
leave without 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 well
come any interference on my part"
But surely, as soldier, he must
value the advice OF another soldier?"
Possibly you forget" | explained,
striving to speak as lightly OF 1t as
might be. that there Is lack of
frisndshin between MAJOR Brennan