The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-26

"Ef yell write me a letter, I'll make
y doll outen corncob. know how
ter make 'em."
81 can't write.
"Waai, iii do it anyhow. Yer a
purity nice yuacg un ef y air only gal.
Riding over Reeds bridge, the party
passed through the gap in the ridge bo-
yond, and descending the east slope soon
struck road leading to Ringold. They
rode into the town abont noon 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 In
the hallway. her eyes large with aston
ishment at seeing her brother in COM
pany with Colonel Maynard, stood Caro-
line Fitz Hugh.
If tho brother had failed In expressing
his thanks to Maynard, the sister sue
ceeded, but not by words. She grasped
Maynard's 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 looking 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 too much for
even the strong nature of SO resolute q
woman. She burst into passionate
food of tears.
''For the first time since il 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 door near by
and led the way through it into q room
where Corporal Ratigan. his ruddy locks
contrasting with his pale face and tho
whiteness Of his pillow, looked at them
with the same astonishment as Miss
Fitz Hugh.
why, colonel, he exclaimed, "are
ye prisoner?"
mo. came by the courtesy Of Colo
mel Fitz Hugh to deliver <ais letter,
which think is for you. Are you Hugh
Ratigan?'
"Oi am"
"Sir Hugh Ratigan?"
mo; me father was Sir Thomas Rat
igan of County Cavan, Ireland.
Perhaps there have been changes, I"
and Maynard handed hisreshe letter.
The corporal took it and looked first
at the black seal and then at the hand
writing, which he recognized at once as
his mothers, and read, ITO Sir Hugh
Ratigan. United States Army, Tennes-
see, U. 8. A."
''Me brother is Dead" he said SOL
emnly and then tore open the envelope.
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
go home and attend to his affairs.
SIS it as we supposed?" asked May
nard.
1T is. Dim Sir Hugh true enough.
Me brother, God rest i'm, is gone. -
"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.
lyon must go home at once" said
Maynard.
"How will Oh go home when Dim
enlisted for three years or durin the
WARP
",We'll have to get you out of that, I"
said Maynard "Your duties are more
,,.o,orta,t -, Iraland tba, "a m ccrp,,ral
in our service. We have more than
plenty of men,"
II wish we could say the same." OBJ
served Colonel Fitz Hugh.
The visiting party, expecting to re-
turn that afternoon, had but little time
&c converse upon anything except Sir
Hugh Ratigan's future, and this they
considered fully. Twas arranged that
as soon as the baronet should be able TO
travel ho was to go through the lines,
apply for discharge and go to Ireland.
Colonel Fitz Hugh anticipated no diff
ficulty in securing his permission TO
depart from the Confederacy, and as he
was British subject of rank IL was not
expected that he would be held TO o
strict accountability for the part he had
taken in the escape Of Caroline Fita
Hugh, especially as that act had been
largely lost sight Of in an event of
greater moment-the battle of Chicka-
mauga. These matters once settled, the
party moved toward the door, where
adieus were spoken, then mounted and
rode away.
CHAPTER XVII