The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-04-04

What does all this mean" be de.
manded hoarscly. Who are these
men? Cation. II you have betrayed
us, by God. will shoot you dead
There Is no betrayal" returned tho
Lieutenant, cooly, These men are
friends"
Friends" he laughed cynicaly
Friends? in that uniform, and you
attlred in a Rebel cavalry Jacket
Friends? that fellow over there" and
no pointed dcriBiyely at me with his
pistol barrel Damn you, but be.
lieve you are all pack OF lying
thievcs!"
Catons face burned Ho took one
step toward him, his hands cllnchcd,
and when he spoke his clear voice
shook With intense indignation
Major Brennan" he said coldly de.
Hibernate. you are my superior officer.
but you go beyond all privileges Of
rank in those words ! say these men
are friends, they have sunk the Issues
Of war In order that they may answer
the call Of humanity. II you dare i'm.
peach my motives any further, shall
hurl back the cowardly insult in your
face. will take no such words, sir,
from any living man"
Brennan looked ut him. his lips
struggling with the utterance that
would not come. Knowing we'll the
danger OF such delay. hastily pushed
aside the ring Of men. and fronted
him, determined TO end this foolish.
ness then and there
Major Brennan" | said ARMY, lg.
noring HIS efforts to silence me, you
must listen to reason whether you
wish to do 20 or not My troopers
are all around you; have two men to
your one in this house, and can en-,
force my will II necessary. Now mark
what | say-we are not here in anger
or In war but to help you In the pro.
lection OF endangered women. We
captured your courier, have dispatched
one OF our own number into the Fed
eral camp for aid, and have fought
our way in here to stand beside you
and your men In defence Of this
house against those rufIlans without.
You can use us or not, Just AS you
please, II rests with you to say whcth.
cr We shall he comrades In arms on
this occasion. or whether | shall as.
sumo command by the power OF force
which chance TO control"
He seemed utterly unable to grasp
my full meaning, to comprehend the
situation.
You mean, you would fight with
us" under my command" he asked in
crcdulously.
81 offer my services under your or.
ders." replied clearly, and these
mon In gray will obey mine"
actually thought he would extend
his hand. but some remembrance sud.
denly restrained him.
"l-Ot course. Captain Wayne" he
stammerCd. at length. II must nc.
Ccpt your offer. Ii am grateful for
It. but | shall Insist upon one thing:
there must be finaI scttloment Of the
personal matter existing between us.
| am not willing to waive my rights
in this"
There ia no occasion for your doing
so, sir" | answered coldly, for | con.
sidcrcd the reference at that moment
in extremely Ill taste When our
work here has been accomplished. you
will find me very much at your serv.
ice"
He bowed Gravely,
Il am exceedingly glad We under.
stand each other" he said May
ask the size Of your command"
Sergeant" | questioned. whom
have We LOST"
Nelson vos kilt, | drinks; der Kid
Is not here yet ind Sands vos wound.
ed tad"
Very we'll; then. Major Brennan.
tender you sixteen men NJ for duty, |
besides myself You are doubtless
acquainted with the house. and can
assign us to positions where our serv.
Ices will prove Of greatest value"
lie had completely recovered his
by this time. and spoke
now with the terse sentences Of a
tried soldier
81 thank you. Captain Wayne and |
will ask you to choose four men and |
assume command OF the east sido of |
The house. Cation. you take the same |
number for defense OF the rear Cap. |
.ain. what is your sergeants name?"
"Ebers. an experienced German sol.
Her"
Il should have suspected his ma.
ionallty. Let him have command OF
our more. and cover the west win
lows. shall defend the front myself.
AZ have been doing"
Very well" answered shortly, for
lis eyes had remained fixed upon me
III the time he was talking Take
he positions assigned you. lads. and
10 not permit man from without to
,ut foot on the veranda. II they once
succeed in getting under cover of the
,orch roof. they will give us plenty of
rouble."
The position for defence assigned
o my care took me into the dining
DOM OF the mansion-a spacious. al
most square apartment, containing
hree large windows reaching nearly