Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-26
CHAPTER NSIII.

November and the north neither
hopeful nor content. Superior numbers
had told at Sharpsburg after the blood
lest battle OF the war but Lee had been
allowed quietly TO withdraw to Virginia,
lnopposed. unpursued-McClellan seeming
only too glad to get rid of him on any
terms. There. IN the familiar old fields
along the headwaters Of the Rappahan-
mock he faced about. while Mcclellan
halted The Maryland campaign had cost
the south dear. but the invaders went back
at their leisure. With Washington and all
the northland urging and egging him on.
Mcclellan sat down on the banks OF the
Potomac while the southern army saunter-
ed away. In like manner had Bragg back
ed out Of Kentucky through Cumberland
gap. and faced about in middle Tennessee.
In like manner in kentucky the south had
suffered disappointment and heavy loss
In Ike manner Washington and the north
demanded of Buell. that he do something.
but the something the new general-in-
chief projected for him was so obviously
absurd that nothing was done, ana Inc
heads Of the two armies, the Potomac and
the Ohio, were Topped off almost at the
same time Burnside took Mcclellan
place Rosecrans rode forward. vice Buell..
deposed. and the nation held Its breath
and looked for great things IN December
The great things presently came Burn
BiCe pumped MS Itttl d5 ans q S''AAO "sAi-
on the Rappahannock. Rosecrans was
we'll nigh swamped the first day at Stone
river. Fredericksburg and Murfreesooro
added to the gloom and despond all over
thu north, as well as to the frtShtful list
OF casualties Those were evil Gays Tor
Union-loving men. These were trying times
IN thousands of homes all over the north
land And there had been tragedy az one
freside al least in the queen city.
The acceptance of q commission made II
absolutely necessary that Norman Holt
should have money. and that without
delay The letter which he found at the
Enyarts on his return to Louisville had
given him more anxiety than assurance
At las; Mrs Lane replied for her husband,
but there was GOODNESS and constraint in
the brief page
mfr Lane would have written before"
she wrote. but he is still too weak from
the effects of his long fever to be able 10
attend TO business of any kind, and the
doctor enjoins entire rest ana freedom
from care. lie bids me say. however thal
just soon as he Is permitted he VIII
have your affairs examined and render
prompt accounting. During MIR. Lanes alb
sence in front of Washington the ofhce
has been practically closed. i'll charge OF
the tanitor, and the gentleman who mas
been looking after the business, the invest
ments etc, Is present out of town. IL
may be a week ten days before salts
factory report can be prepared but 1t Will
be sent to the care of Captain Enyart.
Hoping that you have fully recovered your
In store for you no further ills. hope IN
which Mr.. Lane earnestly shares, l remain
very sincerely yours. etc. etc.
Not word about Daisy. Not a sugges-
ton as to his running up to Cincinnati; not
a cordial or genuine line, Enyart sac
the perplexity and trouble in his face, and
Norman read a portion OF the BRIEF mlsslve
aloud Who Is the gentleman who has
been looking after investments etc." asked
Bob on the instant. DO you suppose 1T
could be old Malloy? If so. you get two
weeks extension; you'll need it, anyhow.
getting your outfit. etc. and start for Gin
cinnati quick you can.
And Holt took the advice and the money
Enyart pressed upon him. and few lines
from that young captain TO the adjutant
general at headquarters. where he briefly
told enough of his tale to win permission
10 60 to Cincinnati on urgent personal bust
ness. and TO delay Joining his regiment
until the Both. The chief of staff looked
him keenly over. revolving in his mind the
several stories that had been told of this
new lieutenant who had not yet tried on
his uniform. The mall packet left early in
the evening. and. crowded though the big
beat proved TO be. berth in little state
room was TO be had. and. leaving there his
light luggage. Norman took a seat at
table in the cabin intending TO write to the
Rays, who had declined Mrs. Enyart's not
too pressing invitation to visit her. and also
to Gaffney. to whom he felt grateful be-
yond expression But there were dozens OF
men busting to and fro. There was much
loud talk and not little confusion. There
were officers OF the staff and supply de-
partments, clerks, civilians and soldiers.
There were many womeu-mothers. wives
and Notwithstanding from sojourns near
The camps or hospitals. where their SOL
6iers had been serving or suffering. There
were contractors and politicians. conva-
lescents and wounded. and in. the midst Of
II all an Eruption of provost guardsmen
and a stir. From all that Norman could
gather. the officials had reason TO believe
that some man or men had succeeded in
getting aboard without the necessary pa
pers. and every one in the military service
was again called upon to show his pass or
order. while others of the guard ransacked
and rummaged from stem to stern I'm
search Of the suspected.
Writing was impossible for the moment
and Norman found himself curiously watch
ing the work of these martial policemen
There were two officers. three sergeants and
dozen soldiers all fully armed and equip
ped busily occupied in the after cabin Men
had been stationed at each door and
gangway to prevent egress or ingress dur
ing the examination. Others were opening
the state rooms and requiring occupants to
come out into the cabin. Norman had his
papers IN readiness when the captain of
the guard accosted him and looked them
briefly over. while a sergeant entered the