The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-19
CHAPTER xI.
ouEEN ROSALIE.

strange miSSlVe Genton stood ABSORBED IN
deep, even painful. thought. The alterna-
tive presented was trying one. From
what DR. Chiffon had said IN the course of
the evenings conference the prospect of
long Imprisonment seemed assured. Louns-
berry was a man OF influence even a
power. at Richmond, and he could be relied
on 20 exert II against Benton because-"be-
cause" said the doctor. as he was rear
ranging the bandagcs on Benton's arm,
he il no longer kindly disposed toward
my-household, suh,' and Fred reasoned
that RosaIie could. II she would. give fur
Their and more explicit information.
II have been fearing this for several
days. suh." said Chiffon. Several Of my
patients. who are loyal Virginians and fully
IN accord with the stand OF the State, sub,
have nevertheless been loyal in their friend
ship TO me. They believe in fair play They
honor chivalric enemy, and they know
how you protected and aided me. From
three or four sources, therefore, these
warnings came. and-and other stories that
I prefer not to mention. 1 refused TO be-
lieve all until Major Lounsberry practically
confirmed the truth-that is-the truth Of
those referring TO him, to-day. But shall
write to Longstreet tonight. sub, and to
Jeb Stuart and to General Lee. They will
have influence with the President, Mr.. Ben
ton. and meanwhile" here both the kindly
, voice and the gentle hand seemed to trem-
bic. I'll would give almost anything 1
own toto stop your being sent to Libby,
sub. but see no way-I see no way"
And soon thereafter. leaving young Pomp
TO assist his soldier patient, the doctor had
withdrawn to his study on the ground floor.
promising to be with him again about 5.
1t was just after IL o'clock by Benton's
watch as he reused himself from the spell
of anxious thought and looked about him.
There was significance in Pomp's disap-
pearance. 1t was evident that the young
ster had been carefully coached to point
out the lightning rod as the best means to
leave the house unseen, unheard. That
Benton was confidently expected to make
the attempt was obvious. Otherwise Pomp
would have remained TO help him off with
his boots and uniform. Even to his watch.
purse. spurs and boots not an item of his
personal equipment had been taken by his
captors. His sword had been stricken from
his hand during the melee at the stone
house, and his revolver was gone. but that
was all. A year later everything would
have become legitimate spoil of war.
Peering from his window Benton saw, or
fancied he saw. the dim light as of Ian
tern fitting about the barn. Evidently they
were even then waiting for him. Evidently
he was expected to lose not moment"
Yet who were they? Surely not his venera-
bic host and helper-for DIR. Chiffon could
not lend himself TO any scheme for the es-
cape OF the prisoner without breaking faith
with the Confederate government. Surely
not Jack, his wounded son. for court-mar-
tia. and dismissal In disgrace would follow
even circumstantiaI evidence that he had
aided or suggested the escape. Surely not
Rosaliel She had shown such deep abhor-
renee of the plot to speed his going that,
even after her impulsive outbreak early in
the evening, he could not but feel 1t would
lie treachery TO her and TO those she held
dear were he now TO make the attempt,
Notwithstanding the fact that transfer to
: Libby stared him in the face.
Pomp's completely II was easy to explain.
The negroes. rule. were glad to help
the "Lincum soldiers" and where they
were hesitant a bride soon settled the mat
ter. Then. Pomp's suggestion of the light
ming rod was still further proof that out
siders. not Chiltons. were at the bottom of
the plan, for did the household favor il
they would never have sent a one-armed
man swinging into space when the back
stairs and the back door were unguarded
and guards sentries of any kind there
had been none, so sacred was the word OF
Chiffon. No: as he still pondered over
the question the hands of his watch crept
to half-past IL, and a horse, somewhere
out in what appeared to be a lane or alley
behind the barn. neighed impatiently; and
surely as ne could hear the tick of his
watch. the beating of his own heart Ben
ton caught the sound of low, gruff voice
almost directly underneath his window. and
then the dull. sudden tramp of hoofs on
rain-soaked sod. Then-then there were
two horses--or two parties-one in the dark
lane, one here, almost at his feet
lose not a moment" said the note he
had crumpled in his hand. yet here had he
lost twenty in childish hesitancy. Again he
read the clearly penciied lines. Again he
recalled Rosalios eagerness 10 see the pre-
vious note and her contemptuous confidence
as TO its authorship. Burn this. too. "
said the second missive. and in honor was
he not bound to shield one who so eagerly
unselfishly sought to aid or rescue him
Yet Rosalie wished TO see. and-good God
satisfy himself that she would approve
condone, forgive. il he seized this chance
of escape-to satisfy himself. moreover
that she no longer held him as she had-in
rank disfavor; that possibly--possibly-
But that thought was madness.
And then, though his door stood a trife
ajar and he had been listening listening
for any sound that would tell of her pres
ence near him-that he might, even at SC
late hour. have one word with her;
though not the whisper OF a football had
reached his ears. something light as down
and barely audible even to him. was softly
stealthiy tapping on the panel
Marvelins. he tiptoed TO the door. and \
little scrap of paper waved before his eyes
Not a finger even was visible. He took the
paper with his one ulfettered hand threw
open the door by quick twist OF the foot
and something with long. dusky masses Of
hair trailing behind it sped away in the
dim light from the lower hall. A board or
two creaked. There was a faint swish ot
skirts. a Whit OF fragrance like that of the
wild violet, but that was all. On the floor
below the hall lamp still burned. and the
doctor. busy in his sanctum. hemmed loud.
~ and stirred rs though 10 hail or speak
n door closed across the wide landing-he,
s...I~w a.