Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1916-03-03
COpHDlGHT
A.CNcZURc km
CHAPTER xxv-contInued.

N"o tnoIe. uiu wrong TO permit your
ever coming with me; to risk your life
In so desperate a game"
DO not say that. Tom" her voice
eager and earnest. Il am no worse
on here than | would be if you had
left me in Lewisburg. 1t was my
choice. and even now | would rather
be. here with you. Why" she paused.
drawing In a quick breath, eff
mad remained behind might be help
lessiy In the grip of Anse Cowan!
Have-have you forgotten that?"
NO, l had not forgotten; but there
Is danger enough here-more than you
realize. You have never seen men
mad with battle lust, crazed from vic
tory. They see through red mist.
and forget sex. They are coming in
here presently, firing and killing,
smashing their way through from wall
to wall. Your cousin is not the kind
to ever raise a white fag-hell go
down fighting, and his men beside
him. I've been thinking of it all, my
girl. and there is one thing want you
to do now. before the final assault
comes"
"What?"
Let me send you out under flag Of
truce to the protection of Captain
Fox. He'll guard you as he would his
own daughter"
"And-and leave you men in here
70 die?"
ITO take our chances, of course;
that is part of the trade. Your re-
naming with us cannot change the
result. whatever it may prove to be-
and, with me. 1t is merely a choice
between bullet and rope"
She buried her face in her hands,
but there was no sound of sobbing.
waited. ashamed of my inconsiderate
words. yet when her eyes were again
lifted they were fearless.
Il know" she said, land you feel
that it will be best for you-for you.
IL go?"
yes Noreen," earnestly The very
knowledge that you are here saps my
courage Surely you can understand
why this should be SO, for the more
desperate our defense the more ruth.
less our enemies will prove in the
hour of victory. The very knowledge
of what the result may be would al
most lead me to surrenders and. to a
less degree, your presence here must
affect your cousin
The, lieutenant! Why to less de-
gree?Yy ~
Because" ] broke forth swiftly,
you are less to him. There is no tie
between you, except distant relation
Ship that is all. His solicitude is
merely for the protection of a woman,
while cannot forget that you are my
wife"
"A temporary matter. mere form.
So you wish to forget?"
81 did not say that, and have never
thought it."
yet you regret?"
only because of the danger-here
comes HARDWOOD"
"Ah! my bold gunner of Staunton."
, he exclaimed as he stepped on to the
pulpit platform, land IS everything
still quiet here? Now you know what
it means when they sing If you want
good time jine the cavalry. Let me
get glimpse without"
He stock gazing forth into the moon
light. and our eyes took in the same
scene. Except for the dead bodies
lying in the open, there was little to
see, although few figures, appar-
emily of men, moved back and forth at
a distance well beyond range.
LAS thought Wyatt" said the lieu
tenant, finally turning about. "They
are massing their forces again at the
front. My lady, you will witness some
real war presently"
daylight"
mo such l1ck; those fellows are
soldiers, not Indians. and are anxious
10 get through With the job"
II have been urging your cousin to
let US send her out under flag of
truce" l said quietly. ito the protec-
lion of Captain Fox"
THAT is really what | came back
here for" he admitted, land we
haven't any time to spare. What say
you, fair cousin?" v
She stood between US. and before
she answered her eyes sought both
our faces.
MY choice is to stay" Suddenly l
felt her hand on mine. "You will not
refuse me this privilege, Tom? ?"
"No." reluctantly; yet at the same
time strangely delighted at the prompt
decision, but thought the other
best"
Harwood laughed lightly.
again the blood" he said gayly.
Bah! SO FAR as was concerned the
asking was mere form; the answer
was already in the lady's eyes. But
must go back to my lambs"
You have secured the door,"
THE best we can; braced 1t with
benches solid to the wall. The wood