Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-01-27
II COoE1ICFy
kn
CHAPTER xxV-continued.

49,
True; II Fox comes through alive:
but Cowan and Raymond are both
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
off here than would be if you had
left me In Lewisburg. 1t was my
choice. and even now l would rather
be here with you. Why" she paused,
drawing in quick breath, 'if-if |
had remained behind | might be help
iessiy 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
mao with battle lust. crazed from VIC
tory. They see through a red mist,
and forget sex. They are coming in
here presently. firing and killing,
smashing their way through from wall
20 wall. Your cousin is not the kind
TO ever raise white dag-he1l 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
soides."
"What?"
Let me send you out under flag of
sruce to the protection of Captain
Fox. He'll guard you as he would his
pwn 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 1t may prove to be-
and. with me. 1t 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 were fearless.
Il know" she said, land you feel
that it will be best for you-for you.
II 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 surrender, and. to a
less degree, your presence here must
affect your cousin"
"The lieutenant! Why to 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 solictude is
merely for the protection Of woman,
while cannot forget that you are my
wife,"
"a temporary matter, a 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-here
comes Harwood."
"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
1t means when they sing If you want
good time jine the cavalry. Let me
get a glimpse without"
He stock gazing forth into the moon
light, and our eyes took in the same
scene. Except for the dead booles
lying In the open, there was little 70
see, although a few figures, appar
emily of men, moved back and forth at
a distance we'll beyond range.
AS | thought, Wyatt" said the lieu
tenant, finally turning about. They
are masging their forces again al the
fyont. 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"
81 have been urging your cousin te
Let US send her out under nag o.
truce" l said quietly, ito the protec
tion Of Captain Fox.
"That lis really what came bach
here for" he admitted, land VIC
haven't any time to spare. What sa,
you, fair cousin?"
She stood between us, and oefofe
she answered her eyes sought ootf
our faces.
my choice is to stay" Suddenly
felt her hand on mine. You VIII no
refuse me this privilege, TomT
No" reluctantly; yet at the same
time strangely delighted at the promp
decision, but thought the osne'
best"
Hsrwood laughed lightly.
Again the blood he said gasis
~pabi IN far as | was concerned INT
sskine was mere form: the answe'
was already in the lady's eyes. bo
I must 90 back to my lambs.
you hare secured the door! -,
"The best we can; braced IL WIZ
henches solid to the wall. The ~oo'
vii, not resist long, but twill max
.1vss