Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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My Lady of the North T> LOVK STCkV if A GRAY JACKET By Randall Par rish iirsnjMifM as*" ILLUSTRATIONS BT AITHUI Bk WILLIAMSON Ctrntta. tf A. C. McClvr* m Cm. \ Utmti i Ii il i if > UmU. \mim I wondered how loaf our supply of ammunition would hold out with sues * fmelllede sept up, but ventured upon so protest, for I wss already groping say way through the darkness along the Inner ws.ll. Furniture lay over? turned In every direction, and I ex? perienced considerable difficulty in making progress through the debris without atti acting attention. A great square piano s'ood directly across the sutranoe to ths back parlor, left by the drawing nearly together of the sliding doors. I waited until Bradley bad crawled through with an arm? ful of loaded guns, and then entered also, creeping eilently between the pleno legs. As I did so a bullet struck the case above, and the whole Instru? ment trembled to the Impact, giving forth a strange moan, as if In pain. Some one was groaning In the cor? ner st my left, and supposing ths to ba lying hare. 1 turned toward the rlghkeeping as cloee as possible to tho wall, hopeful I might come in contact with one of the women. I do hot honestly know why I did thle?really I had no excuse, except my natural distrust of Drennan, coupled with an eager deelre to be of service to the woman of my heart There was little to guide me In the search, as the flame of the discharging rifles did aot penetrate here. Once 1 beard the rustle of a skirt, while a faint sound of whispering reached ma from the rear of the room. Then my hand, groping blindly slong the wall, touched the lower fold of a dress. It felt Bin coarse calico to my fingers. "Mrs Bungay," I whlaps^ed cau? tiously. **ts this you*" Ton woman started at eound of my voice, but replied in the same low tone: Theft my same; who mought ye her "\ friend of yours, and of your hus? band, 1 answered, tor 1 doubted If eoe w<";u?l recall iny name "Did you snow Jed was here?" My man? H ton be aralssdl But Xp aaock thex head ofl laor little devil if ever 1 git my hand on him, I will' that. Whar'e ther little imp bin ell tber Urns?" "Hunting for you, aad crying his e? out," I answered, smiling to my In the darkness. "Where is Mrs. sjajsjf" ist beyond me, thar In ther cor? se. ? ' i site epoke a lullet wbtsxed past saving missed the obstruction of piano. I could feel the wind ad by its paeeage, while lta pe ir hum told me It was a Minis ten /on are too far out from the wall/* oteeted. "You era in run go." an t help It If I be I'm yera ter ta> ? ther guns from ther sojer, an' i 'am back - 1 crept slowly slong beyond her, keeping close to tha wall, but had progressed hardly more than a couple of yards, when I felt a hand lightly touch me. "1 recognise your voice," ssld s soft whisper, "end am so glad you ars hare." Who csn guess the moll res that in? spire a woman? Thla was my wei? ssen*, where I had anticipated cold and repellent pride. CHAPTER XXXI. A Conversation In the Dtrk. In my extreme surprise st tbo in? timate cordiality expressed by her words and manner I failed In utter snesj. Anticipating coldness, indtffcr e. possibly even resentment at my taming to approach her, I was In id greeted by sn unstudied warmth welcome that made my heart beat cely. Surely I am not mistaken," she ?stioned rendered doubtful by my moo. It not this Captain Wayne?" 'There Is no mlttake." I hastened to sure bar, "but I hsd anticipated from our last meeting a far less cor? dial greeting.'' "Oh." aha exclaimed, wtth a light laugh, and la tbst all? Y?t surely. If I was to oelleve my own eyes 1 was perfectly Justified In my actlont then. However. Captain. I have been forced to realise the truth of that sltustion, and am now disposed to make up to you In kindness for all my unjust suspicions." "I am more than delighted to learn that cloud Is no longer to overshadow us Mise Minor has mada a full ex planatlon. then*" "You have been completely exon ereted. end restored to my good graces " As she spoke. I became aware that she was busily engaged upon some task, and when she ended I felt the steel of a gun barrel touch my hand "Please pass this to Maria," she tald calmly, and hand me back the one the has " "You tre loading, then?" I atked, as I complied with her request. "We have all been buay. Isn't It terrible? I waa ao frightened at first, but now they tell me that you and your men have come, there Is no lon? ger danger of those horrible creatures getting In here." "You Knew, then, that I was in the houie?" "I was told some noble Confederates had accompanied Lieutenant Cat on back to aid us. but your name was not mentioned." "Then ray appearance must hare proven a complete surprise?" "Yes, and no," she answered frank? ly. "I was not sure It wss you, of course, and I did not venture to ask, but I knew you were in the neighbor? hood, and that such an act would be In a way characteristic. I was cer-1 tain you would come if you knew, and I?I, well really. I hoped It was." In spite of a slight effort at restraint I groped In the darkness until I touched her hand. For the moment she permitted me to retain It, as If unconsciously, within my grasp. "Why?" I questioned, scarcely rely? ing epon my own voice. "Oh, one always trusts friends more readily than strangers, and I have seen you In danger before, and pos* sees such confidence In your courage and resource." "But Miss Minor took particular care to Inform me you felt little or no Interest In me?that you never even spoke of me except as she compelled you to do so." For a moment she did not answer. "How constant the firing continues," she said at last, as I sat struggling dumbly with temptation. "A mere waste of powder, I fear* was my reply, given thoughtlessly. "When the rush finally comes we are likely to be without sufficient ammu? nition to repel lt. I hardly expect those fellows out there will ever leave without a determined effort to carry the house by storm. I have no doubt tbey are simply drawing all this fire in the hope that our ammunition will thus be uselessly expended. It is an old army trick, and one 1 am sur? prised to see so experienced an officer as Major Brennen yield to. Tn my Judgment they will make an effort to rush ua as soon as there Is sufficient light." "But why not warn him?" "Major Brennen would scarcely wel? come any Interference on my part." "But surely, as a soldier, he must value the advice of another aoldler?" "Fosilbly you forget," I explained, striving to spesk ss lightly of It as might be, "that there Is a lack of friendship between Major Brennen and myself." "Btill?" she asked. "Truly I thought that might all be over. Even if It sur? vived until now, this noble act of yours In coming to our defense should have earned you his gratitude. He he has never once mentioned your name to me since that night.** "Kot even when I came here with my troop. I believer* "No; yet I did not connect that fact with the other. I supposed it a mere oversight, or that be believed the mention of your name would not greatly Interest me. Surely, Captain Wayne, you are not keeping open this unhappy wound?" "On my word, no; but I regret to confeea It is very far from being closed " "He?Major Brennen does not know, then, that you are here now with me?" She evidently hesitated to ask this question. "Certainly not." In surprise at her I apparent Innocence. "You cannot have supposed I had been sent here by him to talk with you?** **I?I did not know. I do not think I realised," ahe rtammered, vainly seeking for words with which to make clear her bewilderment. "1 Imagined you might have come at his sugges? tion to see that we were amply pro? tected. This Is all so very strange. He does not even know you are here with us?" "No." I admitted reluctantly. "Per? haps I have no excuse even for being here at all. My duty as a soldier is certainly elsewhere, but I could not rest content until I knew you were In a position of safety. Believe me. Ntrs. , Brennen, I have Intended no indiscre? tion, but I waa Informed by a soldier ?ha? you were being held here under fire." Her hand touched mine Impulsively, and It was warm and throbbing. "I can merely thank you with all my heart, Captain Wayne, and assure you I both understand and appreciate your purpose. But truly I do not wish any trouble to occur again you will go back to your post, will you not? You can serve me beat In that way, and retain the gratitude and admira? tion I have ever felt for you." "At once, Mrs Brennen." I returned earnestly "I realize I have done wrong In ever coming here as I have. It la my first act of disobedience to orders In all my military life. But tell me first that I have forfeited neither your confidence nor your friendship?' She paused a moment, then added quickly, as though In sudden rush of feeling: "No friend stands higher In my esteem than you?now please go, Captain Wayne." Aa I crept, back through the dark? ness, passing beneath the piano Into the front room, which was filled with the choking fumes of powder, my mind was a chaos of emotions Impos? sible to analyse. The very depth of love which drew me to her operated now in restraint. Qod alone knows the struggle In the darkness as I con? tinued to move slowly away from her and toward the door. Ro deep was my agitation, so Intense my thought, that I scarcely realized I waa creeping along barely beneath the dead line of tlioss buMsta which constantly swept the apartment. Their crashing Into the wall wb? almost meaningless, and I barely note:, either the dense smoke or the fitful flashes of flame as the little garrison returned shot for shot. It was Brennan's voice?how hateful It sounded then?which recalled my attention. "Mapes," he said, with the sharp tono of wearied command, "take a crack at that fellow over yonder by ihe big tree; ho must be in range. You men, I verily believe, shut your eyes when you shoot, for there hasn't a man dropped out there in the laat half hour." I had reached the door by this time, but paused now, determined to ven? ture one word of expostulation at hla recklessness. ' Major Brennan," I said, speaking sufficiently louu to be audible above the uproar, "do you not think they will attempt to charge the house?" "Not while we keep up this fire." he returned coldly, evidently recognizing my voice. "I grant that, at least while dark? ness lasts. But you have Just com? plained that your men were doing but small execuMon, and is there not dan? ger of exhausting our stock of ammu? nition by such a useless fusillade?" "It will last until our fellows get here?that la, if your man was ever really sent for aid, as you say." There was a thinly veiled sneer in the words as he spoke them, but I curbed my temper. "Well, in my Judgment, sir?and I tell It you because I deem it a duty?" I retorted plainly, "you are making a grave mistake which you may realize ; when it becomes too late to rectify it Possibly I have no right to criticise one who is technically in command, yet I am serving as a volunteer, and the conditions are peculiar. I not :>nly remember the scene witnessed by I me in the lines yonder, but also recall the fact that we are here to fulfil a sacred duty?the defense of helpless women from outrage. A fatal mis? take upon our part would be horri? ble." I "Very well, sir"?and his tone was rough and overbearing?"then kindly recall your soldierly instincts to an? other little matter. I chance to com* mand here by authority of rank, and hold myself responsible for the proper defense of this portion of the house. I believe you have already been as zlgned your duties; if you will attend to them I shall be greatly obliged, and whenever I may desire your valuable advice I shall take pleasure in sending for you." I turned away in silence and strode back to my poat, white with anger. The dining room remained as I had left it and when I lay down In my old position and peered out through the broken blind I could mark no change in the appearance of our be? siegers. I CHAPTER XXXII. Hand to Hand. The faint gray light of early dawn rested upon the outside world, and , through the fleeting ahadows of the mist I was able to distinguish much which before had been shrouded by the black curtain. In front of the1 window where I rested, the grass covered lawn aloped gradually down? ward until It terminated at a low picket fence, thickly covered with vines. A great variety of shrubs, which during the night had doubtlesa afforded shelter for sharpshooters, dotted this grass plot, while beyond the fence boundary stood a double row of large trees. To the far left of our position the burnt stable yet smol? dered dully, occasionally sending up a shower of sparks as a draught of air fanned the embers, but^here were few signs of life visible. For the moment I even hoped our enemies might have grown discouraged and withdrawn. "What has become of the guerillas?" I asked In wonderment, turning as I spoke to face the Federal corporal who lay on the other side of me. "Ia It possible they have given up?" "I think not, captain," he replied re? spectfully, saluting as he would one of his own officers. "They were there Just before the light came, and I saw a dozen or more stealing along behind the fence not five mlnutea ago. See, there is a squad of them now huddled together back of where the stable stood." "Screw your eye close to the cor? ner of the pane," I ordered hurriedly, "and see what you make out toward the front of the house." "There's men out there sure, plenty of 'em," he reported slowly. "It looks to me mighty like the end of a line of battle, right there by that big mag? nolia tree. Anyhow, there must be all of twenty fellows lying close together between there end where the corner of the house shuts off my view. I don't see none this side anywhere, unless it's a shooter or two hiding along the fence where the vines are thick." "That'a it, my lad," I exclaimed, heartily, getting upon my feet as I spoke. "We can atand up now, there's no danger here, but there will be mu? sic, for all of us presently. Those fel? lows are getting ready to charge us front and :ear." There were live in the room. I could see them only Indistinctly, as Hie morning light was not yet suftl clently strong to penetrate clearly to where we were, but 1 was able to note those present tho corporal and his wounded companion, with Hollls and Call of my troop. "Let the wounded, man remain and guard those windows," | commanded. "He would prove of small value In a hand to hand struggle, but can proba? bly do some shooting Tho rest come v. itU rne." I led them forth into the wide hall way, which extended the full length of the house, with a broad flight of stalls just forward of the center, gradually curving and leading to the fcecond story. The suspended light was yet burning as v. e came out, but flickered wildly as if in a strong draught of air, and I noticed that the constant rain of bullets during the night had badly splintered an upper panel of the door. Halfway down the broad hallway, and partially obscured by the turn of the stairs, a door stood slightly ajar upon the right hand. Conjecturing this might be where the defenders of the eastern exposure were lying, I peered within. The blinds were tightly drawn and I was able to perceive little of Its interior, excepting that the walls were lined with books "Ebers," I called, thinking he must be there, "are you in charge here?" "I vos, captain," came the in?tai t re? ply, and he at once emerged from the darkness. (TO BE CONTINUED.) The man who orders liquor for personal use only is not a serious I menace to the community for ho Will not give away i\ BUfllclent quantity to . create drunkenness and lawlessness Rut the out and out blind tigers and ! the so-called social club that sells liquor to members and others who have the price are worse than the dispensary. If the prohibitionists would devote some of their time and energy to the suppresion of the Il? legal traffic in liquor and not con? centrate all their force at the legal traffic under the dispensary system they would accomplish twice the amount of good. Notice to Debtors and Creditors, Notice is hereby given that all per? sons indebted to the estate of L. W. ' Muldrow will make settlement with, and all persons claiming indebtedness against said estate will present their claims in proper form unto J. R. MULDROW, Administrator. ELECTION NOTICE. Notice is hereby given that an election will be held at the various precincts in SUMTER COUNTY on TUESDAY, Aug. 19th, 1913, on the question of Dispensary or no Dispen? sary. At such an election all quali? fied electors of the county may vote. Every voter who may be in favor of the sale of Alcoholic Liquors and Reverages In such county, shall cast . a ballot, in the box provided there? for by the Election commissioners in such county, on which shall be print? ed the words: "For Sale of Alcoholic Liquors and Beverages," and every voter opposed shall cast a ballot up? on which shall be printed the words: "Against the Sale of Alcoholic Liquors and Beverages." Polls open at 7 A. M. and close at i P. M. The following managers are hereby appointed to conduct said elction at the various precincts in the County: Ward 1, Sumter, S. C.?Leslie Brown, W. A. Weathers, W. J. Jen? nings. Ward I, Sumter, S. C.?J. U. Mer? cer, J. s. Richardson. J. M. Baker. Ward 3, Sumter, S. C.?C. E. Jones, W. W. James, J. L. Nunamaker. Ward 4, Sumter, S. C.?G. E. Rlchrdeon. s. Y. Delgar, Charley Thames, Wedgefleld, S. C.?Geo. T. Ged? dings, J. J. Geddings, E. Z. Wind ham. Bloomhlll, S. C?S. M. Colter, Robt. Christmas, A. S. Weeks. Stateburg, S. C.?F. S. Stuckey, Bllsha Sanders, W. M. Sanders. Providence, S. C.?P. B. Moore, Jno. Boykln, R. F. Jones. Rafting Creek, S. C.?J| T. Watson, T. M. Rogers,, S. L. Young, Oswego, S. C.?W. J. Anderson, J. J. Christmas, J. L. R. Brunsen. Mayesville, S. C.? W. S. Chandler, C. Taylor, Charles Richardson. ?hlloh, S. C? J. K. McElveen, 11. I >. Player, W. A. Player. Concord, S. C.?A. G. Wadford, Knox Newman. J. P. Richardson. Privateer, S. C.?W. J. Ingram, Barnle Hodge. Harry Pritchard. The managers at each precinct named above are requested to dele gate one of their number to secure box and blanks for the election from .1. E. White, Clerk of the Board, at the office of II. C. Cuttlno. 13 W. Liberty St. on Friday ami Saturday, Aug. loth and 16th. l?18, J. E. DuPre, H. c. Cuttlno, W. W. Green. Com< of State und County Elections for sumter County, 8. C. Attest: .1. L. White, Clerk, July 12, 1913. Geo.H. Hurst, UNDERTAKER AND EM RAI MKH Prompt attention to day or night calls. AT OLD J. D. CRAIG STAND, 101 If. Msln Strevt. Ray Phone t*v. Ntfcht Phone SO.. Sumter Railway & Mill Supply Co., SUMTER, S. C. The season is here when you are obliged to have repairs, generally, as quickly as they can be gotten. We are in your midst, can give you quicker service than our competitors, and we bespeak a part of your business, guaranteeing satisfaction. Our Stock is Complete in the Following Lines: Roofing: ggSfti ('or V. UHmped: Rlectrotd rubber rootling. 1.1 Mid 3 ply. Boitin?' Bubher, Gaudy DBIIIIIg. aiHi Leather. Injectors: A" Packing: ffigtshect As H0S6* ,<learn ,itu' wat*r* AX6S" ^e"*y s Perrect' Blocks: UJa. and Chain1 Rtao>' loading and wllflllli proof toted. PllllBJS! Wood1 ?pllt w suy nwn shaft. Lace Leather: !l,Ml Babbitt Metal: gn11" to Shafting: A,lsl/C8 Hangers: I,r^and^ Shaft Couplings. ??rjoT plate and ribbed. .Tenklno ard 1-4111. to Kin. in Valves '**"|>*an^ st*nci" stock. Iroi Plpo Fittligs. l04l5,'n? oil 8t.yl.-s Bar Iroi. Uound *ndfUt Pins Cut Threaded 1 nP>* from t-Rin to ?In. In? clusive, to skeich. Wire Rope. Sans j^ros* 1 u*%n(* ^irru Gait Hooks. Blacksmith Tools. In fact everything carried in an up-to-date supply house. When needing anything write, phone, wire, or call. Your wants will have immediate attention. Respectfully, Sumter Railway & Mill Supply Co. tin n ntti ntttt tit mt wtti Can You Afford To Be Without a Bank Account ? This question has no reference to your financial condition, but from a strictly business point of view can you afford to forego tlio many advantages that accrue to owners of growing bank ac? counts? Can YOU afford to let your competitor have this ad? vantage over you? Why not start an account with us and take advantage of the convenience and facilities afforded for the better protection of YOUR income? Fir^l National Bank tn::::r::::::::::::::;::::::u::::n Start It Now! Now is thel time to start a Savings Ac? count. Money de? posited up to 10th of July draws interest from 1 st. Start sav? ing something today. The Bank of Sumter Bailey Military Institute Formerly the S. C. C. I. of Edgefield, S. C. A Christian military institution offering instruction in classical, scientific and com? mercial courses. Large new brick build ings. Modcrnly equipped. Steam heat. Electric lights. Hot and cold water in every room. If you want to place your son in a school where his health will be carefully looked after, his mind thoroughly triined anil w here he will be taught habits of odedience, punctuality ami industry, send him to our institution. Here each cadet is under the close per sonal control and watchful care of the teachers from the time he reaches t c school until he leaves for his home. For Catalog and other information, address; Bailey Military Institute, jgg* * ??