The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-02-15
CHAPTER xxM.-cOntinued.

CHAPTER xxxl.-continued
"A mere waste Of powder. ! fear"
was my reply. given thoughtlessly
when the rush finally comes we are
likely to be without sufficient ammu
milton to repel it. l hardly expect
those fellows out there Will ever
leave without a determined effort to
carry the house by storm. have no
doubt they are simply drawing all this
fire in the hope that our ammunition
will thus be uselessly expended 1t
is an old army trick. and one / am sur
prised 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 hfm?"
Major Brennan would scarcely vel
come any interference on my part"
but surely, ais a soldier, he must
value the advice of another soldier?"
Possibly you forget" explained,
striving to spear as lightly of it as
might be. that there is lack Of
friendship between Major Brennan
and myself.
"Still?" she asked Truly thought
that might all be over Even If it ssIr
vived until now, this noble act Of
yours in coming to our defense saould
have earned you his gratitude. Ke-
he has never once mentioned your
name to me since that night"
mot even when I cams here with
my troop. / believer"
mo; yet did not connect that
fact with the other. I supposed it a
mere oversight, or that he believed
Che 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 2"
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
him to talk with your"
I'll did not know do not think
/ realized, she stammered, vainly
seeking for words with which to make
clear her bewilderment Il 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 have no. excuse even for being
here at ALL Ny duty as a soldier is
certainly elsewhere, but l could not
rest content until knew you were In
position Of safety. Believe me, Mrs.
Brennan, / have intended no indiscre-
ton. but / was informed by soldier
that You We're being held here under
fire."
der baud touched mine impulsively.
eAsd it wasswarm and throbbing.
Il can merely thank you with all
M heart, Captain Wayne, and assure
you both understand and appreciate
your purpose. But truly DC net 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"
AT once, Mrs. Brennan" / returned
earnestly Il realize | have done
wong in ever coming here as | have.
1t is my first act of disobedience to
orders in all my military life. But
tell me first that | have forfeited
neither your confidence nor Your
friendship"
She paused moment, then added
quickly. as though in sudden rush OF
feeling: mo 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 filed with
the choking fumes of powder. my
mind was chaos of emotions impos-
sible to analyze. The very depth Of
love which drew me to her operated
the struggle in the darkness as / con-
tinued to move slowly away from her
and toward the door, So deep was my
agitation, so intense my thought, that
scarcely realized ] was creeping
along barely beneath the dead line OF
those bullets which constantly swept
the apartment. Their crashing into
the wall was almost meaningless, and
barely noteo either The dense smoke
or the fitfIl flashes n fame as the
little garrison returned shot for shot.
il was Brennan's voice-how hateful