Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-27
IcoNTlNuEp FROM LAST Sunday

ME- shock of the bodies, the pant
Ing. the shaking Of the floor-it
was like scene transposed
from the Had. The oil lamp
(which had in the previous battle
bscaped miraculously) contributed a
veird theatricality to the movement of
The struggling group, throwing it here
into dead, black shadow. there into
flashes Of yellow white.
And all for her! She had dreamed
pf such moments, but life itself had
been singularly free of thrills. Men
had fought for her in her day dreams.
bometines with rapier, sometimes
With lance, sometimes with musket
At the cabins loopholes. and just as
the last shot had sped they had heard
the bugle of the cavalry. 1t was very
pleasant to dream like that But
fhis! -
He was like mailman; he was here,
fhere, everywhere, unexpectedly, jab-
bing, swinging, heaving. Frequently
fhere was screech of ripping cloth.
His shirt was hanging on his Shout
| hers In shreds and streamers. 1t was
Impossible to follow his arms clear
|ly: all she could identify was that
fshock Of red hair surging among the
swinging pigtails.
AsAll at once he tripped and went
Gown. and she was sure that the end
had come. But no. There he was
like . swimmer caught and buried for
second by topping surge. This
lime he broke away from the milling,
yellow bodies. He clutched the teak
btand, heavy and tough. and swung
II high above his head.
The yellow men paused; and we'll
they might. They had been sent
hgainst man; but yonder blue-eyed
was not man, he was a half-god,
Cor all his bloody face. for all his
katters. They had had enough. AS
5Wtlliam whirled the stand and let
TO, they broke and made for the hall
way. William slammed the door and
aeaned against 1t.
1.-THE bed! he cried, thickly.
How she was able to push it against
tho door was something she never
could explain. The instant this feat
was accomplished she fell upon the
bed in a faint. William did not turn
ITO her at once. He hauled the bu-
Sreau over to the foot Of the bed and
stood it endways. To open the door
NOW they would have to push out the
side Of the house.
He then turned to Ruth. Her arms
Jay extended on each side. The pearls
hhad run into the depression made by
Athe hand which had held them Pearls!
gHfs expression became grim and sad.
She had picked them up while he had
fought for her liberty and honor. He
i was seized with a violent desire to
tg0 about the room and crush all the
pearls he could find. stamp and twist
his heel upon them. Instead, he rub
bed her wrists energetically.. After
- little while she opened her eyes.
M All right now, sister," He was
breathing deep and fast. He bolster
ed her up with the pillows, and she
smiled wanly. Gee! If I'd only had
one Of those Ajax beefsteaks under
my vest, I'd have cleaned 'em up in
3igtims. Some little scrap. though.
believe me-Some = little
jscrapw
He sat down on the bed and held
his head in his hands. He was grog-
~ and a bit sick at his stomach.
He had had nothing to eat since
morning. One of his small ribs hurt
badly; an eye was closed: his tongue
found loose tooth. If they had
come at him once again and the teak
stand had failed to stop them! =
The next thing he knew she was
etanding at his side, one arm around
his head, and a cool towel was be-
ing tenderly applied to his burning.
throbbing face.
II wasn't worth it," he heard her
say. II wasn't worth it,"
He looked up.
Jaw, sister! It's all over That
tatll never bother you again."
THAT isn't it," And then she told
him the whole sordid story.
1t was not a very coherent tale. but
he understood. To him there was
nothing sordid in it. 1t was human.
everyday temptation.
Jaw, what are you worrying abouto
Don't we all stumble around most of
the time? Aren't we all good and
bad In spots? Sure. Some time or
I other everybody gets the idea that
the easy routes the only one left.
The thing is to get back in time. You
did that"
She tied the towel around his fore
head and stepped off little way.