The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-03-05

HS c'luSdN OIcu 10 CiSEui-e the ldCtS,
10 withhold from ne all knowledge
OF your dastardly action know II
by tho infamous sentence pronounced
against him and BY your falsehood to
me"
Edith, you mistake" he urged anx-
iousiy. II was told that he had
been sent North"
She drew deep breath. as though
she could scarcely grasp tho full au-
dacity Of his pretence to ignorance.
You appeared to be fully informed
but now as to his death sentence"
Yes, heard of it while away, and
intended telling you IS soon rs
reached our quarters"
l could feel the scorn Of his mlser-
able deception as it curled her lip,
and her figure seemed TO strslghten
between us.
Then" she said slowly. you Will
doubtless agree that | have done no
more than was right. and will there
fore permit him this chance of escape
from so unmorited = fate; for you
know as we'll as do that he has been
wrongly condemned
lie stepped forward with a half
smothercd oath. and rested enc hand
heavily upon her shoulder.
Il r@ther guess not madam" he
said. Damn him! l will hang him
now higher than Hannah, just 10 show
Queen Esther that it can be done. Out
OF the way, madam"
Rendered desperate by her slight
resistance and his own Jealous hatred.
he thrust the woman aside so rudely
that she fell forward upon one knee.
His revolver was yet In his right
hand, cleaning in the starlight. but
before he could raise or fire it had
grasped the steel barrel firmly, and
the hammer came down Eoiselssly
upon the flesh OF my thumb. The next
instant We were locked close together
in fierce struggle for the mastery. lie
was the heavier. stronger man; the
younger and quicker From the FIRST
every effort on both sides vas put
forth solely to gain command OF the
weapon-his to fire. 2ile 10 prevent,
for l knew well at the sound OF tho
discharge there would come rush OF
blue-coats to his rescue. NY FIRST
ferco onset had put him on the de.
fcrslvc, but as wo tugged and stTainH
his superiority In weight began 10 tell.
and slowly he bore me backward. I'm
till al tie weight of my body rested
upon my right leg Then thero oc.
Cured to ME like fash q wrest!er's
trick taught me years before by an
old negro on my fathers plantation.
instantly | appeared to yield to TIE
force against which | contonded with
simulated weakness. sinking lower
and lower. until, | doubt not, Brennan
felt convinced l must 80 over back
ward But as | thus sank, my left
foot found steady support farther
back, while my free hand sank slow
ly down his strairing body until my
cropping fingers g-asped firmly tho
broad belt about his waist. ! yielded
yet another inch, until he leaned SO
far over me as TO be out OF all bal
ance, and then, with sudden straight
ening of my left leg, at the same time
forcing my head beneath his chest in
leverage, with one tremendous effort
/ flung him. head under, crashing
down upon the hard road. Trembling
like a reed from the exertion, stood
there looking down upon the dark
form lying huddled at my feet. lie
rested motionless. and ! bent over,
placing my hand upon his heart, hor.
rihed at the mere thought that he
might be dead. But tho heart beat,
and with n prayer of thanhulness
looked up. She stood beside me.
Tell me. Captain Wayne" she CT.
claimed anxiously "he Is not-not Sc
riously hurt7"
II believe not" I answered soberly.
He Is a heavy man. and fell hard. yet
his heart beats strong. He must have
cut his head upon a stone, however
for he is bleeding"
She knelt beside him, and caught
the Wilderness OF a handkerchief within
! hor hand.
Believe me. Mrs. Brennan" fal.
tered lameiy. II regret this far more
than I can tell. Nothing has ever oc.
CURED to mo TO give greater pain
than the thought that ! have brought
| you so much OF sorrow and trouble
| You will have faith in me?'
! Always, whether Il
/ ever be our fate 10 meet again or not
/ But now you must 60"
GO? And leave you hero alone
| Are you not afraid?"
! Afraid ?"she looked about her into
| the darkness. "Of what? Surely you
do not mean Of Frank-of Major Bren
nan? And az to my being alone. our
! quarters arc within n scsnt hundred
yards from here, and a single cry Will
bring mo cid In plenty Hush! what
was that?"
Il was the shunlng tread OF many
feet, the sturdy tramp Of a body Of
/ infantry on the march
/ Co" she cried hurriedly. Tf you
would truly serve ne. II you care Al
all for me. do not longer delay and
be discovered here. II Is the grand
/ rounds ] beg OF you. go!"
! graspod her outstrctched hand
\ pressed my lips holly upon II, and
sped with noiselcss footsteps down
the black, Escorted road
CHAPTER XIX.