The diamond drill., 1913-02-15

encd by firing in the distance up the
valley to the southwark. Jenny Buck
thorn. In IN adjoining chamber. heard
their voices and Joined them for COM
panionship and sympathy. Alas. what
a changed. subdued Jenny within the
last twenty-four hours!
The girls dressed hurrledy In silence
and came downstairs. Already Kerchi-
val West, haggard and excited looking,
was pacing the veranda like Gagged
animal. Barket had been down to the
pike for reconnaissance and now came
back with startling news.
Its a battle, surel' he said. AN
Sheridan away, the diyil only knows
where. Begob they must have attack
ed by surprise before the screech o
dawn, judgin' FROM
"who has attacked? Who il sur.
prisedis demanded Kerchlval with fu-
rious impatlence
"The inimy has attacked us, sor, an.
what's more. they seem 10 be driyin'
things before 'em. BY the direction OF
/ the firin II should be our left flank
they have pounced upon instead or the
right, where they were dacintly ex-
pected. Sure. thin rebels have no 20
| liteness nohow"-
"Do you mean to say our. troops are
falling back"
"Well, sor, did hear some cavalry
gallopln' down the pike, but whether
it was ours or theirs or only Mosby's
gorillas. that can't tell yez."
"Then I'll go and ind out FOR my
selfr' Kerchival cried fiercely, making
| a move into the hallway for his hat.
| The sudden exertIon proved too much
for him, and he sank into a chair,
| clutchIng with one hand at his breast.
'I1ark There Is the firing again,
| worse than ever. and II Is coming
nearer" said Gertrude. unconscious OF
a certain exultation in her tone. III
General Longstreet only has--I mean.
| II really he"-
"ae can never drive General Sherl.
dan back--of that am certain" spoke
up Madeline with unwonted spirit
'Let us go--oh. pardon me. Gertrude
--iadles--I beg" said Kerchiyal. start
ing up. then at once seating himself
again.
But they all had risen. as impatient
| as he was. and hurried out.
KerchIvaI and Gertrude took the
I path up the elevation TO where the big
cottonwood tree overlooked the valley.
Jenny and Madeline fingered on the
vcranda.
"Go on, 20 on" muttered Kerchlval.
instinctiyely feeling for his sword aud
looking lowehngly In the direction
from which came the roar OF the
guns. Flight 10 finish and have II
over Keep the battle TO yourselves
I'm out OF It,
"Kerchival." said Gertrude. your
sister Madeline says thnt now she
must pray for the man she loves, enc
my or no enemy"
"And she Is right Anything else
would be worse than treason. | can't
pray. Can you. GertrudeT
'Yes. All. KerchiyalF'
He leaned against the tree. his hand
clutchlng nj his breast again.
"Your woundl Let me call tho sur.
geon. Kerchival"
"wound! have no wound 10 bother
about now You love met"
"L.ookl There are soldiers running
through the woods Oh, what shall
we dor
The firing. very close now. was
faster and more furious than ever. II
seemed 20 have given Kerchival West
new breath Of life.
.Never mind thatF' be cried delIrious-
~. its only battle. Say TINT you
love mel"
"Be quiet. KerchivnI. dear. DO love
you. ! said 10 last night before every
one. only you didn't hear me. said
the same thing az Charleston when
nrst we met. And some one ! told
wrote II In letter. that letter which
General Buckthorn gave you and told
you not 70 read unless became an.
vuly. ] am not unruly. am 1. dearf'