The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1895-06-05

1ne parents expressed as well ~ they
were able aud in their humble way their
thanks to the rescuer of their child, and
the party proceeded on their way
"Goodby, Jennie" said her friend
Jakey ms he rode of
"Goodby."
"Ef ven write me letter, I'll make
y doll outen corncob. know how
ter make 'em. "
IL can't write"
"Waal, I'll do IL anyhow. Yer a
purity nice young un efy air only gal y"
Riding over Reeds bridge, the party
passed through the gap In the ridge be-
yond. and descending the east siope soon
struck road leading &c Ringold They
rode into the town about moor and soon
drew rein before the house where Cor
poral Ratigan lay wounded Fitz Hugh
and Maynard dismounted and entered
together, Jakey bringing up the rear. IL.
the hallway, her eyes large with aston
ishment at seeing her brother in com
pany with Colonel Maynard, stood Caro-
line Fitz Hugh.
If the brother had failed in expressing
his thanks TO Maynard, tho sister sue
ceeded but not by words. She grasped
Maynards hand, when suddenly, for
the first time since her escape, full
realizing sense Of the terrible end she
had so narrowly escaped swept over her.
She was locking her gratitude, with all
the intensity Of her expressive eyes,
when her formal brother said:
Caroline, Colonel Maynard suffered
disgrace ON your account. 1t is proper
you should know how much we owe
him."
This information was to- much for
even the strong nature OF so resolute
woman. She burst into a passionate
food of tears.
"For the first time since 1t occurred,
said Maynard gently, II am satisfied
with my act. What is the opinion Of
men to me beside the consciousness of
having served so admirable woman|
Fitz Hugh threw open a door near by
and led the way through it into room
where Corporal Ratigan, his ruddy locks
contrasting with his pale face and the
whiteness Of his pillow, looked at them
with the same astonishment as Miss
Fitz Hugh.
why, colonel" he exclaimed, "are
ye a prisoner"
"No. l came by the courtesy of Colo
mel Fitz Hugh TO deliver this letter.
which / think is for yea. Are you Hugh
Ratigan?"
col am, "
"Sir Hugh Ratigan"
"No; me father was Sir Thomas Rat.
igan uf County Cavan, Ireland.
perhaps there have been changes, "
and Maynard handed him the letter.
Tho corporal took it and looked first
at the black seal and then at the hand
writisg, which he recognized at once as
his nothor's, aud read, "To Sir Husl
Ratigan, United States Army, Tennes-
see, U. 5. A"
"Mo brother is dead" he said sol
emily and then tore open the envelopes.
The letter advised him, as he suppos
ed, Of the death Of his elder brother,
and as the title and estates Of the fami-
ly descended to him he was adjured to
90 homo and attend TO his affairs.
rs it as we supposed" asked May
nard.
at is. Dim Sir Hugh true enough.
Me brother, God rest i'm, is gone. 4"
1--WE sympathize with you at your
brothers. death and rejoice with you at
your own inheritance. said Fitz Hugh.
All in turn took the corporal by the
hand.
"You must 80 home at once" said
Maynard.
"How will Oh go home when Dim
enlisted for three years or durin the
war;"
"We'll have to get you out of that, "
said Maynard. Your duties are more
important in Ireland than as a corporal
in our service. We have more than a
plenty of men. F"
IL wish we could say the same" OBJ
served Colonel Fitz Hugh.
Tho visiting party, expecting to re-
turn that afternoon, had but little time
GO converse upon anything except Sir
Hugh Ratigans future, and this they
COlslutT6u lulIgs ~ was hi"hBOu 'h"'
as soon as the baronet should be able to
travel he was to go through the lines,
apply for discharge and go to Ireland.
Colonel Fitz Hugh anticipated no diff
fculty in securing his permission to
depart from the Confederacy, and as he
was British subject of rank it was not
expected that he would be held to a
strict accountability for the part he had
taken in the escape Of Caroline Fitz
Hugh, especially as that act had been
largely lost sight of in an event Of
greater moment-the battle of Chicka-
manga. These matters once settled, the
party moved toward the door, where
adieus were spoken, then mounted and
rode away.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE CHOICE OF A POST.
Caroline Fitz Hugh had watched over
Corporal Ratigan every day since his
wounding and by careful nursing had
doubtless saved his life. 1t was not for
the corporal to fall in love with his