Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-07-03
OhylaGV HyHC.Hr CZLlPG 6CQ

heroes OF romance. / saw there two
men battling shoulder to shoulder
against a host OF Infatuated rufiians,
seeking to protect helpless women.
They wore different uniforms, they
followed different flags by the fortune
OF war they we're enemies, yet they
could fight and die In defense Of the
weak. thanked God upon my knees
that l had been privileged to know
such men and could call them friends.
No nobler, truer, manlier deed at arms
was ever donel 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 manllness. 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 I came upon the
field voices were clamoring for anoth-
err 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's
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 righted in
no other way"
Il do not care to know" she an.
swered coldly, NOR do | ever expect
to learn that murder can right a
wrong"
Murder! You use strong terms
The code has been recognized for cen
turtles as the last resort Of gentle
men,"
THE code! Has It, 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 we'll that in the
north no man of any standing would
ever venture to resort to II. Moreover
even the code presupposes that mer
shall stand equal at its bari am in
formed that Captain Wayne fred il
the air"
He hesitated, feeling doubtless the
uselessness Of further protest, yet she
permitted him small opportunity fol-
consideration. Major" she said quiet
ly but firmly, 81 should be pleased tt
have you escort me to the house"
These words, gently as they
we're spoken, still constituted a com
mand. Her eyes were upon his face
and l doubt not he read within then
that he would forfeit all her respect il
he failed to obey. Yet he yielded witt
exceeding poor grace.
"As it seems impossible to con
tinue," he admitted bitterly, 81 sup
pose l may as well CO." He turned
and fronted me, his eyes glowing
But understand, sir, this Is merel!
a cessation, not an ending"
l bowed gravely, not daring to trus
my voice in speech, lest l should yielt
to the temptation of my own temper
Captain Wayne" she said, glancinl
back across his broad blue shoulder
and thought there was a new qual
ity in her voice, the sting had som
way gone out Of 1t, 81 shall esteem
1t a kindness If you viii call upol
me before you depart"
with pleasure" l fastened to re
ply, my surprise at the request a.
most robbing me of speech, "but
shall be compelled to leave at once
as my troop Is already under OIL
ders."
Il shall detain you for only
moment, but after what you haV
passed through on our behalf l al
unwilling you should depart withou
realizing our gratitude. You will fin
me in the library. Come, Frank,
am ready now"
We remained motionless, watchin
them until they disappeared aroun
the corner of the shed. Brenna
walked with stern face, his ste
heavy, she with averted eyes, sligl
smile of triumph curling her lip. The
Moorehouse stopped and picked L
the derringer the Major had throw
away.
"By thunder, but she's right" h
exclaimed emphatically. 81 tell yo
that's mighty fine woman. Blam
me, IL she didn't face us like
queen"
No one answered, and without e
changing another word we walked t
gether to the house. There four
the remnant of my troop standiI
beside their horses, chatting with
dozen idle Yankee cavalrymen WI
were lounging on the wide steps.
, The time had come when / mu
say final farewell and depart N
the slightest excuse remained for fu
Their delay. l dreaded the ordeal, b
no escape was possible, and l e
tered the house for what we'll kne
was to be the last time. My mil
was gravely troubled; l knew n
what to expect, how far might We
, ture to hope. Why had she desir,
to see me againl Surely the publ
reason she offered could not be Il
real one. Had she only been FIRE
a maid whose hand remained h
own to surrender as she pleased,
should never have hesitated, new
have doubted her purpose; but nc
. that could not be.
AS I knocked almost timidly at L
closed library door a gentle vol
aald mCnnn . md nnAnrnd nv %