Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 113: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

106 BERTHA’S VICTORY. “Back! You shall not murder him!”’ Straight as an Indian, the little form of Bertha was _ drawn, confronting the colonel—her betrothed hus- band. oo) ‘Bertha, are you resolved on creating a sScene?’’ demanded the colonel, sternly. ‘‘T am resolved on saving you from a crime, Ezra.’’ ‘This 1s foolish. Thisis foolish. Mr. Clymore, please FEINO VES YOUE niece from the room—I must do my duty.’’ ‘‘Bertha, perhaps it is best,’’ uttered the bewildered old man. Bertha paid no heed to the words of her uncle. The door of the farmer’s house had been opened to receive the young Union ranger, and while under the roof—her uncle’s—the youth should not be harmed if sue could prevent it. Mrs. Clymore was away from home to-day, visiting a neighbor, and therefore did not come in for a share in the scene. Silent as the dead, Moses Bluff sat, watching with feelings too intense for utterance, the contest going on between this brave woman and the cowardly colo- nel. His young heart was overflowing with gratitude, but there was no time for expressions of this kind now. “Aside with you, girl!’’ cried Colada Trafton, an- erily, at the same time advancing and laying a hand on the arm of the defiant Bertha. Quickly one fair hand sought the folds of her dress; the next moment it came forth, and Colonel "Trafton started back with a cry of rage ‘anid alarm, as a revolver nuzzle gleamed in his face. ‘“Time for argument has ceased,’’ uttered Bertha, without a tremor in her voice. OVoy have been un- reasonable, Ezra Trafton. I have pleaded with you in vain, and now I Det ee to open the fight with this, comicbooks (E(@)