The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-08-02


II beg Of you do not desert me 60
soon. This may prove our final meet
ing-indeed, fear It must be; sure
ly. then, 1t need not be 40 brief 4
one?"
Our final meeting?"
She echoed my words as though
scarcely comprehending their mean.
Ing.
Yes" said. rising and standing be-
Tore her. How can We hope 1t shall
be otherwise? am not free to re-
main here. even we're 1t bent for other
reasons. for l am a soldier under or.
ders. You undoubtedly will proceed
north at the earliest possible moment.
There Is scarcely q probability that In
the great wide world we shall meet
again"
THE war will soon be over; perhaps
then you may come north also"
II scarcely expect to do 80. Ny
work then vii! be to Join with my COM
rades In an effort to rebuild the shat
tered fortunes Of Virginia. When the
lines Of lives diverge SO widely as
ours must. the chances are indeed few
that they ever meet again."
But surely you can remain here un-
I'll we leavei" she questioned, evidont.
ly striving not to reveal the depth
OF interest she felt In the decision. 1T
will not be until tomorrow that all de.
tails are arranged 50 a. to permit OF
our departure. I had supposed you
would certainly be with US until then"
Mrs. Brennan!" exclaimed al.
most passionately, do not tempt me!
Your wish 10 . temptation most din.
cult to resist"
why resist. thenf"
She did not look at me. but stood
twisting q handkerchief nervously
through her fingers The abrupt ques-
tion startled me almost into full con.
fession. but fortunately my eyes
CHANGED to fall upon her wedding-ring,
and instantly I crushed the mad words
back into my throat. ,.,
Because It is right" I replied slow.
ly, feeling each sentence az q death.
blow. For me to remain can mean
only one thing. For that am ready
enough. II thought you desired II. but
i dare not choose such q course my.
self"
You speak In riddles. What is the
ono thingr' -
"A personal meeting with Major
Brennan"
The high color deserted her cheeks,
and her eyes met mine In sudden in
qniry. "Oh. no, mol" she exclaimed
with energy. you and Frank must
never meet In that way. You mean
a duel?" -
i bowed gravely. II was permitted
to aid In defense Of this house only
by pledging myself to Major Brennan
afterwards"
"But WHY mead = te-a. least nov
that you have stood together as COM
IedesT'
y fear" ! said quietly, that fact
viii not count for much. We both
fought Inspired by your presence"
"Mine!" hardly knew how to in.
terpret her tone.
Certainly; you cannot be ignorant
that Major Brennan's dislike Is based
upon your friendship for me-"
But there Is no reason" she STAN.
mered. He has no cause"
His reason must leave him to ex.
plain" interrupted. to relieve her eyi.
dent embarrassment. HIS words, how
ever. were extremely explicit; and to
ignore them by departure Is to i'm.
peril my own reputation in both arm
les. I would do 30 for no one else In
the world but you"
How can I ever thank your" she
asked gravely. Captain Wayne, you
make me trust you utterly and place
me constantly In your debt"
Then you realize that I am rightr'
YES" slowly. but making no ef.
fort to release her hands. "Yet Ia no
other escape possible?"
None within my knowledge"
And you must go?"
Il must go-unless you bid me
stay"
oh. I cannot; cannot at such Z
cost" she cried. and could feel her
body tremble with the intensity of her
emotion. But. Captain Wayne. our
friendship surely need not be severed
now for everf I cannot bear to think
that IT should be. am no cold. heart.
less migrate. and shall never forget
what you have done to serve me. I
value every sacrifice you have made
on my behalf. Let US indeed part
now IL. rs you say. it must be SO;
Jet surely there arc happier days IN
store for both OF us-days when the
men OF this nation will not wear Differ
ent uniforms and deem II manly to
night and kill each other"
The great struggle will certainly
cease. possibly within q very few
weeks" answered. greatly moved BY
her earnestness. but l fear the men
engaged in 1t will remain much the
same In their natures however they