The Holly chieftain., 1916-04-28
CHAPTER xxv-continued.


here. and know not which distrust
the more. did wrong to permit your
ever coming with me; to risk your life
in so desperate game"
DO not say that. Tom," her voice
eager and earnest. Il am no worse
OF here than would be If you had
left me in Lewisburg. II was my
choice. and even now would rather
be here with you. Why" she paused,
drawing in quick breath, "if-if 1
had remained behind might be help
lessly 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 white fag-he1l go
down fighting. and his men beside
him. I've been thinking of 1t 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
to 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. it is merely 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, "and you feel
that 1t will be best for you-for you.
IL 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 a
less degree. your presence here must
affect your cousin"
"The lieutenant! Why to less de.
greet"
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 cannot forget that you are my
wife,"
"A temporary matter. mere form.
So you wish to forget?"
Fl did not say that. and have never
thought it."
yet you regret?"
-Only because Of the danger-here
comes Harwood."
"Ah! my bold gunner of Staunton."
he exclaimed as he stepped ON to the
pulpit platform. "and is everything
still quiet here? Now you know what
it means when they sing If you want q
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 q few figures, appar.
emily Of men, moved back and forth at
distance we'll beyond range.
"As 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"
They may delay the next attack till
daylight"
"No such luck: those fellows are
soldiers. not Indians. and are anxious
to get through with the job"
Il have been urging your cousin to
let US send her out under fiag Of
truce" said quietly. ito the protec-
ton of Captain Fox"
THAT is really what l came back
here for" he admitted, "and we
haven't any time to spare. What say
you. fair cousin?"
She stood between US, and before
she answered her eyes sought both
our faces.
MY choice is to stay" Suddenly
felt her hand on mine. You will not
refuse me this privilege. Tom?"
~