The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-02-25

and came crashing through the win
dows- Glass showered upon Us. and
the man next me went over Ike q log;
someone struck me across the facs
with q bloody hand. and shot spin
tered the stock OF my gun. numbinE
my arm to the shoulder. | gripped
another weapon out OF the stinen
Ing fingers OF the man on the door
firing again blindly into the smoke
cloud. For an instant ! could see
nothing but that white vapor tinged
with red and yellow fame; then some
breath OF air swept 1t aside. and the
attackers we're drifting back. running
and stumbling.
Stop firingl" ! cried. they've had
enough. Pass the word to those men
at the door"
The fight at the front held longer
yet 1t was scarcely FIVE minutes when
the last gun cracked. and a strange
silence took the place Of that hideous
uproar. For an instant not even cry
from the wounded broke the stiffness,
the men leaning out OF the windows
watching the disorganized retreat
Then someone gave an exultant yell,
and voice after voice caught 1t up. the
old church echoing to the wild battle
cry of the South.
STEADY, men, steadyi" shouted Har'
wood from the door Of the yestibule'
his voice cleaving the din like the
blade of a knife. This is only the
first act. Load"
The light OF the moon streamed
In through the south windows, reveal
ing the overturned benches. the NOV
ing figures along the walls. the smoke
cloud drifting upward to the rafters.
The lieutenant picked his way down
the narrow aisle. He was bareheaded
and coatless, and even In that dim
light could perceive dark stain. Ike
oozing blood. on the front OF his shirt.
"You are wounded?" exclaimed.
Nothing to worry over" he re-
piled easily, his eyes laughing, "a
mere touch in the shoulder. which,
however. has put my left arm out OF
commission. All! fair cousin!" and
he held up his hand in sudden greet
ing. I'VE who are about to die salute
you"
do not say that" she pleaded.
Surely the victory is ours"
"Ayl we win the first round, but 1t
has cost heavily. doubt II we have
such luck again. What loss have you,
Wyatt?"
Two wounded and one killed."
answered soberly. I'VE had Cowan's
guerrillas to meet out there"
yes, know; the infantrymen
stormed the front, and the troopers
peppered the side windows. Wharton
has three down. while they got FIVE
of my lads. The front doors are
fairly riddled. They'll consolidate
next time, trust to the weight OF mum.
bers, and break through. They respect
us now. but we haven't licked the
fight out of them by long chalk. I'm
going to take three Of your men,"
He whispered a word to her. some
good-natured pleasantly, thought, as
he bowed over her hand as though
tAAnman6ted in gay parlor; then.
passage down tSs AISLE - : Slender.
debonair figure, whistling gay camp
tune. ] stared after him, scarcely able
to comprehend such gay-spirited reck.
lessness, when he stopped suddenly.
and faced about.
DO what you can for your wound.
ed. Wyatt" he called back. his voice
instantly serious, "and keep my fair
cousin out OF the ruck."
Several figures fell In behind him as
be went forward-the men he had
asked for from Wharton and O'Hare-
all disappearing within the blackness
Of the vestibule. Leaving one man
alone posted at each opening, had
the others of my small company bear
the two wounded men to the farther
corner, making them as comfortable
as possible. The dead man was laid
put on one Of the benches, and then
The three selected for that duty we're
sent to join the lieutenant This de-
pletlon of force left me a window to
defend alone against the second at
tack, the opening to the left OF the
pulpit, next to the corner In which lay
he wounded men and the prisoner.
As | crossed the platform and took
ny place, Noreen arose from beside
)ne Of the bodies and her hands
srasped my arm.
"The soldier who was shot in the
chest" she said, her voice trembling,
'he-he tried to tell me something. /
ore my skirt and bound It up, but
here was no water. FL wish he
wouldn't groan So"
Her face, white In the moonlight,
was uplifted; / even thought l could
zee the CLINT Of tears in the eyes. Sud-
ienly great wave of sympathy. of
'egret, seemed to sweep over me. and
leaned the carbine against the wall,
Ind clasped both her hands in mine.
I'VE grow accustomed to groans in
war" said swiftly. "but what unmans
ne is your being here exposed to all
his danger"
ooh, no one will hurt me; / am not
lfraid for myself-truly am not. Cap,
ain Fox would never permit them tc
harm me-"
CTo BE coNT1NUED.)
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