The Lamar register., 1912-01-10

y shall detain you for only q
moment, but after what you have
passed through ON our behalf an
unwilling you should depart without
realizing our gratitude. You will fnd
me in the library. Come. Frank,
am ready now"
We remained motionless. watching
them until they disappeared around
the corner of the shed. Brennan
walked with stern face. his step
heavy. she with avsrted eyes. a slight
smile Of triumph curling her lip Then
Moorehouse stopped and picked up
the dsrringer the Major had thrown
away.
by thunder. but she's right" he
exclaimed emphatically. IT tell you
that's . mighty hns woman. Blame
me. II she didn't face US like a
queen"
No one answered. and without OK.
changing another word We walked to-
gether to the house. There I found
the remnant Of my troop standing
beside their horses, chafYing with a
dozen idle Yankee cavalrymen who
were lounging on the wide steps.
The time had come when I must
say q final farewell and depart. Not
the slightest excuse remained for fur.
Their delay. dreaded the ordeal, but
no escape was Dessibls. and I en-
tered the house for what I well knew
was to be the last time. Ny mind
was gravely trsublsd: knew not
what to expect, how far might ven
turs to hope. why had she desired
to see me asaiAf Surely the public
reason she offered could not be the
real one. Had she only been free,
. maid whose hand remained her
own to surrender - she pleased. I
should never have hesitated. never
have doubted her purpose: but now
that could not Be.
A. Knocked almost timidly at the
closed library door . gentle voice
said. Come" aad I entered. my heart
throbbing like . frightened girls.
She stood waiting me nearly m the
center Of that spacious apartment.
dressed In the same light raiment she
had worn without. and her greeting
was calm and friendly. yet tinged by
. proud dignity. ! cannot describe.
believed for an instant that We were
alone. and my blood raced through
my veins In sudden expectancy; then
my eyes fell upon Mrs. Minor COM
fortably seated in an armchair be-
fore the ere. and realised that she
was present to restrain me from for.
getfulness- But in very truth ny
lady hardly needed such protectioa-
her speech. her manner. her proud
constraint told me at once most plain
~ that no existing tie between 10
had caused our meeting.
Captain Wayne" she said softly.
her high color alone giving evidence
OF any memory OF the past, IT scarce
ly thought that we should meet again.
yet was not willing to part with you
under any misunderstanding. I have
learned from Lieutenant Cation the
full particulars of your action in con.
nection with Major Brennan. wish
you to realize that l appreciate your
Efforts to escape q hostile meeting
and esteem you most highly for your
forbsarance on the field. 1t was In
deed noble proof of true courage.
May I ask why did you IRE in the
air7"
Had she not held me so away from
her BY her manner should have then
and there told her all the truth. As
It was ! burst not
Il felt convinced that II my bullet
reached Major Brennan It would In
ture you. I preferred not to do that"
Il believed 1t was for my sake you
made the sacrifice" She paused; then
asked in yet lower tones: WAS my
oams mentioned during your contsn.
toni mean publicly?"
1T was not; Cation alone 10 aware
/ RETAINED because OF the reason
have already given you"
Your wound 10 not serfousf"
Too Insignificant to be worthy Of
mention"
She was silent. her eyes upon the
carpet. her bosom rising and falling
with the emotion she sought In vain
to suppress.
II thank you for coming to me-"
she said frankly. II shall understand
It all better. comprehend your motive
better, for this brief talk. Whatever
you may think Of me In the future, "
and she held out her hand with some
thing Of the old franknsss in the gss-
turs, do not hold mo a. ungratsful
for Q single kindness you have shown
me. I have not fully understood you,
CAPTAIN WAYNE: indeed, doubt II