The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-18
CHAPTER Y.
LIBBY OR

of the lower Peninsula. held by the ele-
ments. not by the e~nemy-fcr Magruder's
little force at Yorktown could not have
stopped two divisions when led by a later
day general of the Army of the Potomac
here about Charlottesville the wooded
heights were draped in flmy mist, the
mountain streams ran bank full. and Jack
Chilton's ~bodyguard came on duty with
blooming. rain-kissed cheeks. emerging
from waterproof hoods and NANTES that.
like the antique coaches, cOachmen and
horses that brought them, were beginning
TO show many a pathetic sign Of wear and
tear. The arbor and the garden were, per-
force. deserted. and Jack held court in the
roomy old hall, while the doctor made his
rounds needless of weather or accounts
alike unsettled. Scattered over a range of
country within twenty-five miles radius OF
his office were the homesteads OF some
hundreds of families, not one OF whom
could later recall that ''endurin' OBJ de
wah" he ever presented a bill or neglected
a case. And while he was ministering
abroad il fell to Rosalie's lot to look after
everything and everybody at home-inva-
lided aunt, wounded brother, unbalanced
domestics. already beginning to pirate of
life and luxury without work and freedom
without knowledge. and last, yet not least.
that now fast-mending prisoner in the sec
ond-fioor back room. where he was becom-
ing rude enough to prefer to stay, sit by
the window and rock, and read the old mas
tiers beloved of the S~outh-Scott. Sims and
Cooper-and the speeches of the famous
Virginian whose beautiful Monticello
cleaned white among the grand old forest
trees so close at hand, and whose broadly
III - L. sa-oa
ture minds of the student body, had well
nigh wrecked at it's very launching the
dearest project of his declining years.
Rosalie, secretly disturbed about her cap
tive. as the girls called him, protested to
think Mr.. Benton ought to be glad to come
down stairs and watch Brother Jack being
worshipped. 1T ought to make any man
better to see how Virginia girls honor a
Virginia soldier stricken while battling for
his native State" Bull Run victims were
few and far between now-either were they
dead or again on duty-and Virginia girls
by the hundred were longing TO lavish
smiles and sweetness and soothing potions,
all in one. on Virginia lads shot or sabered
I'm their defense. Time was soon, and far
too soon, to come when every house and
every room should be filled with the sore
StAANhtu, lii lHcEC COulu " HOWHeTe near
enough girls to go around; but just now,
in April. Charlottesville had but three
wounded Southrons and one "Yank,' and
to the foremost of these Southrons all but
a corps d'elite of Miss Chilton's choosing
were denied admission. AS to the Yank,
no one of their number dare let another
know how gladly would her charity have
been extended-even to him. OF course,
100000 49, z--1 z- -.
osity.
No Fred Benton was chafng. restless
and unhappy. and. even now that Paul was
gone, again suffering the pangs of Jealousy.
a tall Confederate officer. a very distin-
guished-looking major of the staff. had
called thrice in two days. and had had
long conversation with the little lady of
the house-one. in fact. behind closed doors,
after Jack had been "toted' TO his room.
Fred heard the colored house of commons
discussing the pros and cons as to that
indication. and in like manner ascertained
that the officer was Major Lounsberry-long
a resident of Albemarle and now of the
,staff-the inspectors department of the
Confederate army. and Fred could have
sworn his pretty jailor was in tears when
she came hurrying UP from one interview.
az NAN O0N III OQC VI a WOIQ III
her. but she saw or suspected and darted
to her room without needing his hail.
Morning and evening both had he watched
for the return of the lady of the broad
lbrimmed felt. but the rain or something
had been too much for her, and she failed
to appear. Major Lounsberry's deep voice.
however. was heard in the broad lower hall
three hours after his long afternoon inter-
fyfaU uffh ATic- Ch;lto. o,l a. -.
came briskly forth from his study to greet
and welcome the distinguished representa-
tive OF the war ofice-the son of an old
familiar friend. There was good news from
Yorktown. it seems. and small Pomp
brought 1t in with a little pitcher of cool
buttermilk and some 'cohn pone' for
Marse Benton-'De Yankees done got
licked agin down by Yorktown" "Marse
iLounsberry" had so told the doctor, and
Fred went down TO Jacks room, his arm
still slung. TO wish him goodnight and
learn what he knew. and Rosalie departed
ana left them TO each other, and it hap
pened that as the doctor was ushering his
martial visitor from his study to the door,
full fifteen minutes later. and long before
Benton's usual hour for retiring. the door
to Jacks room opened and the Yankee
ASUIehdhl Sdhe IOTtn, looking very tall,
erect and by no means broken down.
The doctor gave "A start-an unmistakable
glance of warning. A crouching bundle of
femininity near the head of the stairs. out
Of Lounsberry's sight but plainly in Ben
toms view. franticaIy signaled with both
impetuous hands-with wild eyes and wide
opening mouth gasping dismay-the imper-
ious order to go back at once, but obtusely
Benton stood his ground and faced. half
defiantly. this new visitor, who. i'm turn.
stopped short and calmly, even somewhat
insolently. surveyed him. The major was
the first TO speak
Lieutenant Benton, L presume" said he
'.and looking vastly better than had been
led to-hope." How near he there came To
saying believe"
Looking quite well. my dear major"
hastily interposed the doctor, yet, / as
sure you. but the ghost OF the fine young
fellow who rescued me that night at Cen
terville. 1t will be months before he can
handle a saber again"
How about a penn asked Lounsberry.
significantly. his eyes burning into Benton
gaze as though striving TO read his inner
most thoughts.
mi. Benton has certainly managed TO
write three home letters-left-handed." an