Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-11-29

best Of times, when Lecrudx had been adj
mitted ct the Orchard House as frequent
guest, he had set hum down a frivolous
jackanapes;" but when the young man let
slip indiscroet expressions Of sympathy for
the seceeders and evinced q too warm ap-
probation of Miss Frobisham's society, his
wrath knew no bounds, and he had ordered
his women-friends to close the door on ''thc
Internal young copperhead."
Therefore, when from his retreat In the
pilot-house he saw the Frenchman drive to
his door and bear away tho young lady, he
might be forgiven the storm of impreca-
lions which rose to his lips. One thing COM
forted him: neither his wife nor daughter
appeared on the threshold to bid God-specd
to tho departing guest.
And Harry was coming homo thai night,
too. How could he meet his boy with this
tale Of sorrows He would rather faco the
worst storm.that ever ragged on Lake Mchi-
gaa than tell tho poor lad that tho girl he
loved had been false to him.
Nevertheless, in the gloam Of the evening
he went forth to meet his boy, intercepting
him in the big meadow, where years ago he
had taught him to fly his kite and shoot
reed birds. As the buggy approached, be
stopped the driver and said:
"Get down, Harry, and walk with me
to the house. ! have something to say to
you"
Well might the father be proud Of such
son-tall, erect, the picture of animal
strength, with a frank expression in his
handsome face which would be his passport
wherever he went. Harry Winthrop was as
fine a young fellow as you would meet with
in a long days march. But the old man
only noticed the pallor in his boys face and
shrank from the blow he was about to in
flict.
For time they walked arm in arm in
silence. The Captain found it so hard to
speak.
"Harry, boy,'' at last he gasped, 81 have
bad news for you-Kate Frobisham-you'n
bear it like a man-she has
eyes, know, dear old dad, she has gone
home"
s'But do you know with whom she has
gone ?"the Cap tain asked, in surprised anx-
iety.
eyes, she wrote and told me she was 60
ing with Lecroix. 1t seems as if she had
given me up, doesn't it, dada"
And you, my boy,' the old man said,
with lips tremulous with emotion, shave
you the courage to show the girl that
you"
"Trust in her to the last. Why, of course
I have. Do I not love her, dada"
CHAPTER IL
THE CLANG OF ARMS
What fairer sight on earth is there than
the rich valleys and blue mountains of
Northern Virginia, when the golden sun
spreads his mantle of glory over them in the
first blush of dawn, flashing scarlet streaks
across the opal sky?
It is to such a scene that must transport
the reader.
The haze of the departing mists of night
yet fingers in the lowland, while a small
troop OF cavalry under charge of Lieuten-
ant creeps cautiously, in Indian file, down
the uncertain pathway formed by what in
winter is a torrent and is now rugged
strip of sand and pebbles winding down the
hillside
It is not difficult to recognize Henry
Winthrop as the leading figure in the line
of horsemen.
He is at this moment turning in the sad
die and in low tones addressing youth
who rides behind him-so young that he
was more fit for a schOOl-desk than q cav
airy saddle.
"Grey," Harry is saying, anxiously,
sswhat ails you this morning! Are you
sick?
eyes," is the petulant reply; "sick to
death of the life we are leading. came to
fight, not to sneak around the country all
day long feeling the way for men who will
have all the glory of the battle, with the
blessed chance of being popped off by one
of Mosby's men at any moment"
"You'n have fighting enough before you
are through, you young IDIOT Harry said,
sternly, but there was kindly CLEAN in his
eye, for Gordon Grey had been one of his
pupils, and when the lad had run away and
enlisted he had promised his heart-broken
mother that he would look after her boy.
"We've been so long doing nothing"
the boy complained
"What! with Bull Run, and
Gordon Grey interrupted him with a bit
ter laugh.
"Aye, there was fun enough in running
away. wonder how your father swal-
lowed that nauseous dose, Harry
ooh, Nell wrote me that he was pretty
wild over it; volunteered to shoulder a
muslzet, and drove mother into fits of de-
spair by his martial ardor, but luckily for
the peace of the family his age was against
him, and he still has to stop at home and
take care of the women"
sWhile we play hide and seek on these
wild mountains with Mosby's fellows. This
is not war; it is"
''Silence in the ranks! Haltp'
The command cut off the boys complaint.
In moment each horse and man was as
still as a statue.
The lads querulousness was not alto
gether groundless; tor, until Hooker's ar
rival the cavalry had simply done duty in
scouting and fanking. There had been a
tedious time of drill when camped on Me-
ridian Hill, a weary march through Alex
andria to Culpepper, monotonous winter
quarters and a sharp engagement at Bran
dy Station. Their main duty had been skir-
mishing and picketing, with occasional en-
counters with Mosby's irregulars, for this
extraordinary man had already made him
self famous as guerrilla chief. Tales of
his daring effrOntery were told round the
camp-hres with many exaggerations by
men who believed he bore a charmed life
1t seemed impossible to lay hands on him.
Hardly had the Federal troops recovered
from the establishment of rash attack of
the bold skirmisher and prepared to chas-
tise him, than they heard of another equally
daring feat of his six miles away.
Leaping from his horse, the Lieutenant