Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-02-26
CHAPTER xxv-continued.

z mere, ana know not which | distrust
# the more. ! did wrong to permit your
M ever coming with me; to risk your life
N 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
81 DE here with you Why" she paused,
~ drawing in quick breath, 'if-if |
n dad remained behind l might be help
1essly IN the grip of Anse Cowanl
" Aave-have you forgotten that?"
mo. had not forgotten; but there
II is danger enough here-more than you
q Fealize. You have never seen lien
q mad with battle lust, crazed from VIC
s tory They see through a red mist
and forget sex. They are coming in
VI mere presently, firing and killing,
N smashing their way through from wall
TO wall. Your cousin is not the kind
II TO ever raise a white hag-hen go
down Sighting, and. his men beside
MIN. I've been thinking of it all, my
girl, and there is one thing want you
to do now. before the final assault
comes"
4 "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;
Shat is part Of the trade. Your re-
manning with us cannot change the
result. whatever it may prove to be-
and, with me. it 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
Gifted they were fearless
i know" she said. and you feel
that it will be best for you-for you.
If go?"
Yes, Noreen," earnestly. 1.-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 vittory 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 a less de-
greer"
Because" l broke forth swiftly.
you are less to him. There is no tie
between you, except a 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, a mere form
So you wish to forget"
Il did not say that. and have never
thought it."
yet you regrst?"
Only because of the danger-here
comes Harwoed."
All! my bold gunner of Stanton"
ne 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 a
good time fine the cavalry. Let me
get a. glimpse without"
I. 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
q distance we'll beyond range.
las l thought, Wyatt" said the lieu
tenant. finally turning about They
are massing their forces again at the
front. Ny lady. you will witness some
real war presently"
They may delay the next attack till
daylight"
mo such luck; those fellows are
soldiers, not Indians, and are anxious
I TO get through with the Job
81 have been urging your cousin to
8 let US send her out under flag of
truce" l said quietly. ito the protec.
q ton of Captain Fox"
THAT is really what l came back
here for" he admitted. land we
haven't any time to spare. What say
u you, fair cousin?'':
She stood between rs, 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?" 1
No" reluctantly; yet at the same
time strangely delighted at the prompt
decision, but / thought the other
best" ~.
Harwood laughed lightly.
Again the blood" be said gayly.
'Bah! so far as L was concerned the
asking was mere form; the answer
was already in the !ady's" eyes But
e must 60 back 20 my lambs"
You have secured the door," j
The best We can; braced it with
& benches solid to the wall. The wood
Al viii NOT resist loug. but: twill make.
en- Ugly abatis for the Yank5 to clam !
II her tn over"
He fitted his cap CALAMITY, and