The enterprise-recorder., 1912-04-12


how shall | ever explain TO Arthur so
that he will understand I'm sure !
have got the worst OF t. oh, Captain
Wayne. Is my hair all rutfied up? ]
know I look Ike fright. You must
oome in now, and We will explain 10
Mrs. Brennan the whole matter. She
cannot help believing us both, while
know she would be so cold and
proud to me- alone
shook my head decif'yely. Per
haps It was better ended SO; at least
| possessed no courage Just them to
face her indignation She might but
deem we had concocted our explana'
ton. and would very likely receive II
with all the scorn she felt 1t deserved.
Besides, it was clear there was moth
ing | could do to aid them. | should
be now merely an unweloome intru'
der. An escort was to be there short
ly to convoy them northward. and for
me TO be found In their company by
Brennan would only infsme him and
add greatly to the embarrassment OF
his wife's position. Much as ! might
long for immed ate vindication In her
sight, the plain duty Of true love was
to depart al once, and permit time 10
straighten out the tangle.
You must pardon me-" | fastened
TO say. standing hat in hand before
her, but It would not be best for
ME to intruds upon Mrs Brennan aft
er her lale reception. | merely halt
ed here in order to assure myself OF
your presence and safety My men
are even now waiting for me a few
hundred yards away"
But wish you to meet Arthur"
oh. ! think not. Miss Minor. | feel
warm friendship for Lieutenant Cation.
but We wear different uniforms, serve
under different flags, and meeting
here, both with armed forces behind
us, would naturally have TO be hos
tile one. However the Lieutenant and
I might consent to temporary truce,
his superior officer, Major Brennan,
would not likely prove OF the same
mind"
Then you really must go"'
Unless you specially desire to wit.
ness a cavalry skirmlsh In your front
dooryard, certainly consider It best"
and held out my hand. Surely We
part as friends, and | may hope that
you will intercede in my behalf with
Mrs. Brennan"
She rose up impulsively.
ROW riutculous; now supremacy "a
diculous! Why, OF course will,
though | don't suppose Edith really
cares very much, but she believed It
would be highly proper TO be shocked,
! don't think she likes you so very
well anyway. Captain Wayne, for she
never will talk about YOU"
With these cheering words ringing
In my ears, and feeling thoroughly de.
fealed in every cherished hope,
strobe sayagey down the long hill and
mounted my horse. How roughly for
tune had sufeted me, 10 be sure, and
how extremely small the inspiration
lc!t Well perhaps | deserved it for
eyer permitting myself TO love one
whom | knew 10 be the wife Of an
other. Doubtless she had seized upon
this slight pre;eyt to be rid of me.
and was already rejoicing over It's
/ easy aCcompl.s hMent.
In my agitation forgor entirely the
presence OF Maria Bungay at the
house, and ordering my men into sad
die prepared for departure without
giving a thought 10 the litlle fellow
and his domestic troubles, chose
the road leading toward the north.
west for although had not asked The
question conceived II highly probable
thai Brennan and his party would ride
from the Federal calvary quarters at
Golfers Church, and ! had no desire
to meet them. They were upon an
errand of mercy OF far greater impor.
tance than my revenge.
As We swung along through the
heavily timbered land fringing our
road, Bnngay pressed his mule into a
trot and Tinslly succeeded In ranging
up at my side. Even In my disturbed
mental condition | was amused az his
unique style OF riding although /
would not wound him by laughing
Il say Cap" he said, Jerking the
words out to the mules hard trot. and
grasping his saddle pomme desper
ately, IT sorter reckon as how thern
be some fun back thar sfore long less
all signs fail"
Why ! stared al him. now thor
oughly aroused to the thought that