The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-14

of her brother till 1 returned. Had any
body dared-affront her-there? Where is
she, Jennings? Answer me, man.
But despite the almost agonized appeal,
despite the assurance that Benton, though
in the garb OF the enemy, was yet friend.
the Virginian could not reply. wait, doc
tor-wait till you see Judge Armistead.
He'll tell you the hull story He's coming
over from Hopewell this evening"
"Juage Armistead-here? And she went
with him. do you mean-and left my boy?
Why. Jennings. L can't believe it."
And then the Hoosier sergeant again
came to the door.
SHARP firing, lieutenant, south of us.
Shall L follow Major May, or turn after
the guard toward the Lewis place."
Leaving the two Virginians, Benton
stepped outside. The moon was just peep
ing above the trees toward the distant
heights of Centerville, and nearby objects
were become more readily visible in the
faint and mystic light Somewhere to the
south--toward the Junction-Stuart's ven-
turesome troopers had come in view of
slowly retiring parties of the Western bril-
gade. and a fairly brisk fusillade was the
result. For a moment the officer listened
to the spteful crackle of carbne and rife,
then answered the question. Better fol-
low the major-and lively too. I'll catch
you before you've gone quarter of a mile"
He felt that it was now unsafe to return
to the Henry house The guard was gone
The chances were that within a few min
utes Stuarts troopers would be coming up
the Sudley road from the south. He would
say word of farewell 10 DR.. Chiffon, then
follow his men. Leaving the horses with
the orderly in front, he once more turned,
and as he entered the rear room, stopping
a most excited conversation, he was
amazed TO see the back door, which had
been shut and barred three minutes before,
swiftly closing behind slender figure in
the trim frock coat Of gray-the uniform of
the Confederate service. He caught the
merest fraction of a glimpse of a pallid,
oval face, framed in a mass of dark, wav-
ing hair under cavilier hat of felt-a
glimpse of the CLEAN of buttons and gold
lace He saw the same form flash by the
northward window. and. instead of pursu-
ing, whirled about, sprang through the
front door again and round to the westward
side of the house, just missing collision
with a painting corporal. who cried: "Reb
house. Me and Kinks followed" All in an
instant, then, his suspicious were con-
firmed All in seconds time, it seemed,
he had hurled himself on a dim, 1.-the, yet
fragile form. and, clasping it in his arms,
strained it, despite furious struggles, to
his breast. "Paul-Paul,' he cried Don't
you know me?-Fred? Surrender, you
blessed boy reb, surrender. Heavens, man,
don't scratch!' for two furious little hands
were tearing at his cheeks. Speak, you
sinner. Haven't I known since o'clock
twas you / saw at the Window
But so far from speaking. only painting
incoherencies escaped the lips of his cap
tive. Straining, squirming heaving, strug-
Cling, the slender, sinewy form writhed
and papitated in his clasp, a heart was
throbbing like mad against his, and while
he still chung with one arm to his prize he
seized and captured with the other hand a.
long, Fingered. sharp-nailed little MEM
Der that bert. apparently, on tearing
out his eyes, and then, swaying and stag
gering Benton bore his prize into the
moonlit space beyond just as the doctor
and the Virgnian, lantern-bearing, came
stumbling out into the night. The yellow
CLEAN fell full beautiful, dark flush
ing face, framed in masses of dusky hair
tumbling about the sloping shoulders and
down the slender back-for the natty
SLOUGH hat had been lost somewhere in the
scuffie-fen upon glowing. indignant, mag
nificent eyes. upon flashing white teeth,
upon lovely. rudy, parted lips, and in
amaze yet still clinging to his lovely cap
tive, Benton stammered:
Not Paul, but whoever you are-my pris-
oner!"
mot Paul-nor your prisonerr" was the
sudden, exultant answer, in a voice that
ever since early evening had been ringing
in his ears. mot your prisoner! You're
ours, Do you hear?' And out of the ST.
lence of the night there burst the thunder
of galloping hoofs. close upon them. sweep
ing like a tornado over the open fields to
the northwest, and then there came, whirl-
ing into view and surging all about them,
a swarm of shouting, jubilant cavaliers
Stuart's Virginians. in all their early glory
ITO be Continued Tomorrow