Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-02-08

~ was HoC sure IL 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 a way Characteristic was GER
tain you would come if you knew, and
II, we'll really, hoped it was"
In spite of slight effort at restraint
I CROPPED in the darkness until
touched her hand For the moment
she permitted me to retain it, as II
unconsciously. within my grasp
"Why?" l questioned, scarcely rely
Ing upon my own voice.
"Oh, one always trusts friends moro
readily than strangers, and l 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 1 sat struggling
IL.
"A mere waste of powder, 1 fear
was my reply. given thoughtlessly.
when the rush finally comes we are
likely to be without sufficient ammu-
milton to repel it. I hardly expect
those fellows out there Will ever
leave without determined effort to
carry the house by storm. l have no
doubt they are simply drawing all this
fire in the hope that our ammunition
will thus be uselessly expended. It
Is an old army trick, and one am sur
prlsed 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 a soldier, he must
value the advice of another soldier?"
Possibly you forget" explained,
striving to speak as lightly of it as
might be, chat there is lack of
friendship between Major Brennan
and myself"
"Still?" she asked. "Truly thought
that might all be over. Even If it sur
vived until now, this noble act of
yours IN coming to our defense should
have earned you his gratitude. He
he has never once mentioned your
name to me since that night
mot even when I came here with
my troop. believer"
NO; yet did not connect that
fact with the other. 1 supposed 1t
mere 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 regret to
confess it is very far from being
closed"
"He-Major Brennan does not know,
then, that you are here now with me?"
She evidently hesitated to ask this
question.
Certainly not" In surprise at her
apparent innocence. you cannot have
supposed l had been sent here by
| ullu 10 ldlh WIN you.
Il did not know do not think
I realized" she stammered, vainly
seeking for words with which to make
clear her bewilderment II imagined
you might have come at his sugges-
ton to see that we were amply pro-
tected. This is all so very strange.
He does not even know you are here
with us?"
NO" admitted reluctantly. per.
haps I have no excuse even for being
here at all. My duty as soldier is
certainly elsewhere. but 1 could not
! rest content until knew you were in
a position of safety Believe me, MRS.
Brennan, have intended no indiscre
ton, but was informed by soldier
that you were being held here under
fire."
Her hand touched mine impulsively,
| and 1t was warm and throbbing.
II can merely thank you with all
my heart. Captain Wayne, and assure
you both understand and appreciate
your purpose. But truly do not wish
any trouble to occur again-you will
go back to your post, will you not?
You can serve me best in that way,
and retain the gratitude and admira-
ton have ever felt for you"
Eat once, Mrs. Brennan" 1 returned
earnestly II realize l have done
wrong in ever coming here as l have.
1t is my first act of disobedience to
orders In all my military life. But
tell me first that l have forfeited
neither your confidence nor your
friendship"
She paused moment, then added
quickly, as though in sudden rush Of
| feeling: No friend stands higher in
my esteem than you-now please go.
Captain Wayne"
AS l crept back through the dark
ness, passing beneath the piano into
the front room, which was filled with
the choking fumes of powder, my
mind was chaos Of emotions impos-