Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-01-11

at SnllO2 anu our own DtOOdieSS con
quest of northern Alabama were not
vigorously followed up. The enemy
| withdrew To TGpelo. Miss, where he
| formed new army. which early in
| the fall marched under the Confederate
/ General Bragg through Chattanooga
into Kentucky.
| One morning In September orders
J came for US to break camp and march
northward- Bragg was advancing.
marching on Cincinnati or Louisville.
| thus compelling the abandonment of
! the territory we bad acquired IN the
spring and requiring us 90 hasten to
the protection of the threatened cities.
| After making my preparations for the
move left the command. intending to
| join 1t on the march. and rode over to
the Stanforths to take my leave. Jack
soh announced me. and | sat down in
| the little library I had occupied three
months before while my wound was
healing to await the appearance of my
friends. | was startled by the voice of
Buck coming from above:
Lib. doggone 1t. whar's my swearln
book? I've lost that sweariu book
| what Major Brandystone tole me TO
/ git"
few minutes later he came into the
room. As be caught sight OF me his
| face became radiant. and. jumping into
my arms. be Rugged me like a young
bear. The others soon entered. Mr.
| Stauforth. who by this time had openly
/ avowed his affection for the Union.
! parted from me with regret not I'M
mixed with apprehension lest upon the
return of the Confederates he might
suffer for his attentions to our troops.
Mrs. Stanforth bade me adeu with
motherly affection. Little Ethel put
her arms about my neck and wonder
ed. Buck for the moment in his affec-
ton for me forgot that be was n Con-
| federa;e synpathizer and insisted on
going with me. Helen stood aloof and
at the last moment seemed more bitter
than ever. There was a flush upon her
cheek and bright spark in her eyes.
"Goodby," ] said, putting out my
hand to her.
"Never TO an enemy" she replied.
| turning away.
There was murmur OF disapproba-
| ton at her act. but | did not listen TO
1t. Turning on my heel. l left the room
and the house and In another moment
was galloping away.
My regiment was moving on n road
leading uorthward and to the east of
the main pike, so was obliged TO ride
across country to rejoin. Large armies
| necessarily move slowly, and. although
| I'm thisTnstance we had entered upon
forced marches, | knew that had
plenty or time. ! was riding leisurely
| through n lonely road when | heard
| the sound OF horses hoofs behind me.
] had become so used TO being hunted
| by my old enemies that I instinctiveiy
| drew rein and my revolver ut the same
time and, facing about. awaited the
coming OF friend or foe. My pursuer
| turned bend in the road but a short
distance from me and suddenly came
| In sight.
Helen Stanforth! What in the
world brings you hereT'
She drew rein aud sat with flushed
cheeks, her eyes looking anywhere ex-
cept on me. Her horse was FESTIVE. the
two making a picture by no means
| Quiescent.
81 am not satisfied"
with whatY'
'The manner OF your leaving the
country"
DO take with me what does not be-
long 10 me?'
"You are going with our enemies"
was puzzled. She knew that / was
Union officer and that my duty lay
with the departing army Besides, to
remain in the country afIer its reoccu-
patton by Confederate troops would be
as much as my life was worth. | was
more than puzzled; | was irritated.
smarting as | was under her recent
treatment.
This is not what dissatishes you,"
said.
Il spent mytime rescuing a renegade"
Il see no occasion for you to come
after me to hurl that taunt anew. We
parted half an hour ago, | supposed
never to meet again. Now you must
needs
She paused and bit her lip.
had often noticed great show of
picket firing on the part of an enemy
just before abandoning his lines. Some
how the thought gave me an inkiing
OF what was passing IN Helen's mind.
rode up close beside her and, laying
my hand on her horses neck. stroked
1t for moment till had quieted him.
Meanwhile my eyes were fixed on Hell
ems, that were CHANGING about wildly:
as III endeavoring to find some means
or retreat. Bending forward without
word. ! put my arms about her and
drew her TO me. Her head sank slow
iy. at last resting on the embroidered
leaves that denoted my rank.
sweetheart love you, and believe
you love me-"
There was silence, save for the run
ming water of the creek and the chat
tering of the birds in the trees beside
the road. The touching of our lips,
her heart beating against mine, stray
strands of her hair falling over my
wrist, the moisture in her eyes, bring