The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1916-01-06
- COpH/2ICHT
\CHcGURC kOO
CHAPTER xxv--Continued.

the more did 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. II am no worse
on here than ] would be II you had
left me In Lewisburg. II was my
choice. and even now would rather
be here with you. Why" she paused.
drawing In a quick breath. Tiff I
had remained behind might be help
Iessly In the grip Of Anse Cowan!
Have--have you forgotten that?"
mo. 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 1ag-hell go
down fighting. and his men beside
him. I've been thinking of II 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
20 die?"
ITO take our chances, OF course;
that Is a part Of the trade. Your re-
naming with US cannot change the
result. whatever II may prove to be
and. with me. II 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 we're fearless.
Il know" she said. land you feel
that II will be best for you--for you.
II I GOT"
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 surrender. and. to q
less degree. your presence here must
affect your cousin"
"The lieutenant! Why to q less de.
greer"
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 woman
while l cannot forget that you are my
wife,"
"A temporary matter, mere form
So you wish to forget?"
II did not say that. and have never
thought It,"
"Yet you regret!"
"Only because OF the danger-hers
comes Harwood."
"Ah! my bold gunner OF Staunton.
he exclaimed as he stepped on to tn,
bulpit platform. land 10 everything
ktill quiet herei Now you know wha
1t means when they sing II you want {
good time line the cavalry. Let mi
get . glimpse without"
He stock gazing forth into the moon
light. and our eyes took In the sam
! scene. Except for the dead bodice
lying in the open. there was little 4
see. although q few figures. appaI
emily of men. moved back and forth a
. distance well beyond range.
"As I thought. Wyatt" said the lieu
tenant. finally turning about. "The
are massing their forces again at tn
front. My lady, you will witness som
real war presently"
"They may delay the next attack II
daylight"
mo such luck: those fellows ar
soldiers, not Indians. and are anxiou
to get through with the Job"
81 have been urging your cousin I
let us send her out under flag {
truce" ! said quietly. Ito the prote
u ton of Captain Fox"
THAT Is really what I came BAG
hero for" he admitted. land v
haven't any time to spare. What SO
you, fair cousin?"
She stood between US. and befol
she, answered her eyes sought DO,
our faces.
my choice Is to stay" Suddenly
felt her hand on mine. "You will n
refuse me this privilege. TOMB"
"No." reluctantly; yet at the san
time strangely delighted at the prom
decision. but ] thought the 9th
best"
Harwood laughed lightly.
Again the blood" he said gay
Bah! 80 far as ! was concerned q
asking was mere form: the answ
was already In the lady's eyes. b
] must 60 back to my lambs"
You have secured the door?"
The best we can; braced II wi
benches solid to the wall. The wO
will not resist long, but twill ma
an ugly abatis for the Yanks to ella
Der In over"
IIa lttad bia caD pallautIv n