The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-03-07
that she had even SO much as noticed

Very slightly, madam"
Ellis 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.
Zone would almost suppose we had
wholly reverted to barbarism, and that
our boasted civilization vas but mock
cry. Think of it," and the proud dis
dain in her face held US silent, mot
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. l saw there two
men battling shoulder to shoulder
against a host of Infatuated rufians.
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. l 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 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. l care not what
the case may be-the act is shameful,
and an insult to every woman Of this
household. Even al / came upon the
field voices were clamoring for anoth-
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's
flushed face paled. and his lips trem.
bled as he sought to make xcuse
Edith" he protested, you do not
know. you do not understand. There
are wrongs which a be righted in
no other way"
81 do not care to know" she an.
swered coldly. nor do l yer 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"
1.-The code! Has it, indeed? What
gentlemen? Those of the south ex
clusiyely 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 it. Moreover
even the code p%resupposes that men
shall stand equal at it's bari am in
formed that Captain Wayne fired in
the air" J
He hesitated, feeling doubtless the
useiessness of further protest, yet she
permitted him small opportunity ssfFa1
consideration. Major" she said quiet
ly but firmly, II should be pleasedSSttt
have you escort me to the house.HS
These words, gently as they
were 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 II
he failed to obey. Yet he yielded witt
exceeding poor grace.
CAS- it seems impossible to con
tinue." he admitted bitterly, II sup
pose l may as we'll 60" He turned
and fronted me, his eyes glowing
"But understand, sir, this is merely
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, glancint
back across his broad blue shoulder
and l thought there vas a new quail
ity in her voice, the sting had some
way gone out of it, II shall esteem
it a kindness if you will call upor
me before you depart"
with pleasure" l fastened to re
ply, my surprise at the request al
most robbing me Of speech. "but
shall be compelled to leave at once