The Dawson journal., 1883-11-08

~ Wy SeIFdnt gIfl, ana tht
Colonel requested to walk in
which he did, gallantly advancing
IN military style, anxious to secure
the prize which now seemed with.
In easy grasp.
my dear Miss b" but il1st
here his utterance failed him fol
he was not prepared for the spec.
tacle there presented. Before
him was Miss Benton, reclining
languidly in an easy chair, Sc
completely metamorphosad that
he would have doubted her iden.
tity had not her voice and clear
eyes proved beyond a doubt that
she really was Miss Benton.
BY giving brief description of
her appearance, the reader will
understand the Colonel's surprise
and embarrassment Her grace
tul form was enyeloped in a loose
lifting dress Of old, faded, blue
homespun cloth, such as was worn
by very poor people during the
war; her rich, raven curls were re-
placed with dingy brown hair;
her dimpled cheeks, that seemed a
harmonious blending of the full
blown rose and the beautiful mag
nolia bloom OF our own Sunny
South, now appeared of q dull,
waxen hue, as though just recov-
erIng from a six months attack of
fever and ague.
The Colonel stood as il rivited
to the spot, silently gazing at the
object before him.
well, Col. Baker," said Miss
Benton, breaking the silence, you
seem to be surprised atmy appear
ance this evening. / hope you
will excuse me, as it IS the best |
can afford.
"How-what-I-I-don't exact
ly understand" stamnered the
Colonel in still greater sstonish-
ment,
Pray be seated, Col. Baker,
and will explain it all. It is
best that you should know, and do
not blame me until you hear me
through, for doubtless you will be
surprised at some disclosures that
| shall make. Well, to be brief, I
have no father, mother or brother
living, and have been acting q
drama for the pay I expected to
receive for it."
Thunder and lightning" OK
claimed the now bewildered Colo
mel. 81 don't understand all this.
Why this change in your appear
ance?"
81 have only resumed my natu-
raj appearance" continued Miss
Benton. "The wealthy lady who
employed me to act the scene Just
closing, furnished me with iine
dresses, jewelry, false hair, false
complexion, false pretencas as to
my relationship with the escaped
prisoner: in fact I have been sail
ing under false colors, but have
now resumed my natural appear
ance."
But what Of your great wealth
in Georgia, OF which l have heard
SO much?'
80, that was only a rumor cir
culated to give me popularity and
assist me in accomplishing the
object in view"
"Whati' exclaimed the Colonel,
"and am ] to get no pay for the
trouble and risk Of getting that
fellow ont Of prison?"
Certainly my dear Colonel.
You know I promised to marry
you for his release, and [ am will
ing to" but before the sentence
was finished the Colonel seized his
hat and With a look of disgust at
the sallow faced woman before
him, rushed out at the door and
down the street as though trying
to catch the express train and the
servant girl who was busting the
hall said something like an oath
escaped his lips as hepassed down
the steps.
= Il
Fifteen years have elapsed since
the occurrence of the incidents
above related. The war is over
and peace and plenty once more
bless our Sunny South.
Occupying an elevated position
on the banks Of the Cattahoochee
river, stands an elegant two-story
residence, the home of Capt. An
derson. In front is magnificent
grove of magnolia and other ever
green trees. Two rows Of cedars
have been so trimmed and trained
as to form an arch completely
shading the carriage drive to this
| o1or,nn+ ,,onciop from tho Ohcorvo