Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-04-17

1 suspect and to watch her. lie found out that Ike had been exchanged and had reJoined his company, and on two occasions he had good reasons to believe that the man secretly met her in the neighborhood of the house. Owing to the interruption of the mails, it was only at long intervals that Marian heard from Royal Kenton. For month previous to the battle in which he was captured she had heard no word from him. When news came, it was from Captain Wyle himself on his second visit to the Ha- ven. His company was acting as guard for a wagon train of forage gath cred in the valley, and his stay was brief. While his welcome was fairly cordial, he realized that circumstances were not propitious for any appror oh to the subject nearest his heart, and he forced himself to be content with gen. eralities. Incidentally, as if the matter was of little or no moment to her, he mentioned the fact of General Jackson having become suspicious of Kenton and suggesting the detail which was made and of his having heard only day or two before that the Federals had descended on the post and captured the entire Confederate command. What he added was both false and cruel-viz, that it was rumored that Kenton was among the Confederate killed.
 If the captain hoped that Marian would betray her real feeling he was not disappointed. As she received his information every vestige of color fled from her face, and she seemed about to faint.
 "You-you say it is so rumored?" she gasped.
 "Only rumored, but''-----
 But you believe the cumor will be confrmed?"
 II must say that do. MT. Kenton ! was, believe, friend of yours, and of | course the news of his death will shock and grieve you. He and I would also have been friends but for his, to say the least, disloyal conduct toward the cause l be for some reason best known to him. self espoused.
 Captain Wyle, you wrong him, liv- ing or dead!" exclaimed Marian as she oraced herself against the shock caused | by report of the rumors. He enlisted because he was imbued with the same feeling hope you were-a feeling that ne owed allegiance to Virginia first of all"
 He has acted very strangely for a | Virginia patriot, I must declare, said l the captain. How strangely:' she demanded as the color began to return to her cheeks and her eyes to flash.
 Every one in my company firmly believes he joined us that the Yankees | might have a spy within our lines."
 And who made them believe it? Royal Kenton has periled his life in the cause oftener than any man in your company or regiment! Tell me of one single instance where an honest, un- biased man could have questioned his ! loyalty"
 "Why wss he left behind, detailed to guard stores, and that at General Jackson's suggestion:" asked the cap tain.
 You are already possessed of that knowledge!' she scathingly replied. There has been a conspiracy against him from the very outset, and it is not the fault of the conspirators that he was not assassinated before battle had been fought"
 "Private Kenton. if alive, should feel grateful for such championship"
 It is my duty to champion himl I am his promised wife!" While Captain Wyle felt pretty cer- tain that there was more than friendship between them he had hoped that things had not gone that far As she stood be- fore him and looked into his eyes and spoke the words which made his heart fall like lead he was dumb for mo- ment. Her face was set and hard, and he realized that his fate was sealed for ever. There was but one thing for him to do, and he did it. Though rage and despair filled his heart, he did not forget the fact that he was born southerner. It required all hls nerve to take his leave gracefully. but he accomplished the feat, and it was only when he was in the saddle that curses passed his lips and his smiles were replaced by wicked frowns.
 Southern chivalry' has been held up to ridicu]e and scorn, but only by the l ignorant or by those who had a purpose to accomplish. Chivalry was born in the heart of the true southerner; it came down to him legitimately in the blood. Now and then he may forget himself in the presence of q man, but never in the presence of q woman.
 Had all been we'll at Rest Haven, Ma rian Percy would have given way to her grief and mourned as women do. But the mothers condition was still regard ed as dangerous, and she must not even | suspect the sad blow which had fallen on the daughter. Uncle Ben suspected some calamity from the grief in Ma rian's face, and from the fact that Mrs. Baxter dodged out and had word with Captain Wyle at the gate before he rode | away. He must have repeated the ca nard about the death of Kenton, for the woman face betrayed great satisfac. tion as she returned to the house. There | was smaller house to lodge the help" but just then Uncle Ben had it all to himself. About an hour after the cap- tain's departure Marian appeared iu the | oM man du uarters to find him tobBnng one of his brogans.
 Look yere, honey," he began as she | entered and before she could say word, 1T knowed when I saw yo' at de doah an hour ago dat sunthin had dun hap penel. Am de good missus gwine to die, or did dat Captain Wyle say sun thin to make yo' feel bad?" "Uncle Ben, I have heard sorrowful news!" she answered as her tears began fl A