The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-11
XANTHUS' SCAR.

| the reminiscent draw, s'that Is an ugly
scar Xanthus has across his face, but
though he has seen action and proved
himself as brave as a lion he didn't get
that wound IN battle.'
The boys who knew the colonel's story
telling abilities drew their chairs closer
and put themselves into a listening atti-
tude.
The old man drew his cigar again and
went on: 1--WE were camped at a small
town near Lexington that week. 1t was
near the end of the war, and while we had
not been doing much fighting for month
or more our marching had been rather
continuous and arduous. Xanthus then
was lieutenant in the Fifth infantry,
and drawer or more daring fellow never
wore the blue. He was the envy of all the
young officers and the idol of the soldiers.
He had the manners of Chesterfield and
the daring of Robin Hood. And it was
the combination of these two qualities that
got him into trouble and brought him the
scar that makes him look SO fierce and
military.
Near where we were camping was the
mansion of wealthy old Kentucky farm
or, a supposed Unionist, but who really
was in sympathy with the Confederacy.
In addition to other very desirable COM
modities, he possessed a pretty young
daughter, and from the first time that
Xanthus saw her it was all over with him.
4AO AOA4 desperately III -4Qf0 anu 6fo44Od
himself Of every opportunity to go up to
the big house, as we called it. And it
wasn't long until the little Venable girl
Venable was her fathers name, David
.Venable-it wasn't long till she was as
much in love with XanthuS as he was
with her.
"Those who were on the inside watched
the affair constantly and wondered how it
would turn out. The little girl had
couple of brothers, who, for the sake of
policy, treated Dick Xanthus' visits with
respectful consideration, but they weren't
blind, and they hated him in his blue uni
form as the devil hates holy water They
were big, brawny fellows who were only
stay at homes because their principles
would not let them enter the Union army
and their own and their fathers interests
kept them out of the Confederate ranks
"Finally, one day when things had been
going on this way for some time, Dick ask
ed the colonel for leave on the next night.
Old Tom Baker was colonel of the regi-
ment then, and he was good hearted old
codger. He winked knowingly as he gave
the young lieutenant leave and warned
him not to get into trouble.
! ga quarter of an hour after Lieutenant
Dick Xanthus had oantered away from the
camp a half dozen OF us young fellows
were summoned to the colonel's presence.
We found him pacing back and forth the
length of his tent with look of mock
sternness on his kindly face. He addressed
US as follows: Gentlemen, the discipline
of this camp, it must be confessed, is rath-
er lax. Continued sojOurn in peaceful ter
ritory and consequent immunity from dan
ger have brought about this result L
have allowed myself to give Lieutenant
Xanthus leave to go outside the lines to-
night, and it is my impression that he has
gone to the Venable house to carry off the
daughter of that household as a bride.
Now, whether his action is right or not, it
is not for US to say, but man in love is
liable to encounter great dangers in accom-
plishing his end. But said the colonel
with twinkle in his eye, all this is nei-
Their here nor there and is of no conse-
quence to you. My purpose in assembling
you together is to send you out as a recon-
motoring party. Go out and reconnoiter,
no matter where or what. Don't do any
thing rash, but should you happen to find
any soldier or officer of the United States
in danger give him protection
1.-THE colonel turned to his writing, and
we knew that we had received our orders.
Not man who did not understand, and
we turned away with smiles on our faces
and a great thrill of sympathy in our
hearts for the comrade who was Drawing
danger alone for the sake of the girl that
he loved.
sit was the work of but few moments
to swing into the saddle and go galloping
away in the direction of the Venable house
hold, where we knew our reconnaissance
would be most valuable.
sit was a cold, clear night, one of the
kind that puts spirit into man and makes
him feel like bounding over the ground.
We were light hearted set, happy as could
be in our mission, and we laughed, chat
ted and joked as we galloped along under
the bright starlit skies.
''Stetson was just remarking: well,
there don't seem to be much use for rec
onnoitering party tonight. Here's one
place where the course of true love seems
to run smooth when the chatter of horses
hoofs broke upon our ears.
ave quickened our pace to the edge of
a clump of poplars that commanded
view of the road. Even before we saw his
flying horse and his face cleaning in tho
moonlight we knew instinctiyely that it
was Dick Xanthus, and that he was in
trouble.
''We saw that his horse was carrying
double, and we smiled even as we halted
and drew our sabers, for the noise of pur-
suers sounded close upon the chatter of his
horses hoofs. But, thought we, he will
soon pass our line, and then we will flash
out and put his assailants to fight. We
wished to take no rash measures.
"On they came, pursuer and pursued.
The lieutenant was very near US, and we
could see him looking down into the face
of the little Venable girl when, to our
surprise. what should he do but whirl sud
denly and go charging back straight into
the face of his pursuers.
"It was all done in moment. We saw
his saber fash upward. Then we heard |
woman scream, Don't kill my brother' |
and saw the saber lowered Then there |
was fash of another steel, and Xanthus |
dropped from his horse, just as we dashed |
up and surrounded the two Venable boys.
1.-THE girl was on the ground beside her
lover, weeping and trying to stanch the
flow of blood, while her brothers stood by,
mad enough to end it all with her, but
we took them all safe into camp. OF !