The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-15

downward, so weak. so broken, so sick at
heart, that IL was a relief to sob like home
sick child.
And so Henry found him, when, in his
stocking feet. little later, he climbed the
ladder TO the loft with wondrous news. DR..
Chiffon and his daughter were coming
were even then on their way from Warren
ton.
Much of the early morning Of the follow
ing day he spent with Rosalie by the side
Of the wounded boy. Now that DR.. Chiffon
had gone on in search of the commanding
general. hopeful of permission to take his
crippled soldier home. the vital question
arose, what was to become of Paul? He
had no excuse for parole. He had not been
grievously wounded. He was there of his
own volition, undiscovered, within the hos
tile lines. and, though wearing his new and
natty uniform and in no sense spy, still
the lot of Southern prisoner in Northern
hands a problem yet unsolved. The
South might we'll refuse even while yet
exchanges were possible, to ask for the re-
turn of an officer as inconspicuous and I'M
lucky as he. Shy and sensitive as ever. the
poor lad believed he had lost caste among
his fellows, and that IL captured it would
be regarded as an act of self-surrender-a
we'll planned move on his part to escape
the imminent perils OF the war; now open
ing in good earnest. The thought was
maddening, and Rosalie Chiffon saw 1t, and
the daring, qulck-witted girl it was who
planned the escape so successfully effected.
Little luggage had she brought with her
on that hurried journey, but soon as it was
dusk she doffed the gown and skirt she
wore-even the crinoline, at that period of
our national life regarded indispensable
to the wardrobe of the gentlewoman-then
donned a soft wrapper, and ten minutes
later Paul Ladue, shorn of his new uniform,
was attring himself aloft in the travelling
dress of Virginia belle. He well nigh
ruined the whole plan-and crinoline--by
putting his foot through the flimsy cage as
he reached the stairway, but from the floor
below came ominous "Hush-sh-sh!' in Ro-
sales tragic tones, and she shook him al
most savagely while giving some finishing
touches to his toilet How dare you be so
careless with my best hoop skirt, sir? Don't
you know that's almost the very last one
in Virginia." Then, duly informed as to
the paths I'm the garden and the exits
through the fence, with her shawl over his
head and prayer on her trembling lips she
sent him forth. and Jim Ferguson, officer
OF the guard bowed to her representative
with killing grace-and let him go.
Half an hour later Paul had shed his
skirts at the stone house, had had a whis-
pered word with Jennings-he of the sub
sequent demijohn-and in some old clothes
OF that worthy and with note to farmer
friend back of Groveton was away en- route
to Hopewell BY he was in saddle with
a horse borrowed of the farmer friend; by
10 he had learned that Judge Armistead
was at Gainesville. having reached the
Thornton farm too late, and there were
they both-judge and lieutenant-when the
morning.
Such was the story of Ladue's escape |
from within the Union lines. But the story
that agitated at least three men was that |
of Resale Chiffon. Why should she have
essayed her perilous masquerade? Why
should she have left her brother and, in |
the dress of Confederate officer before |
the last of the Yankees were clear of the |
plateau, before Stuarts fellows were sure |
of the Sudley road-why should she have !
dared that night dash down to the pike? |
Even in his battered condition Fred Benton |
found himself ponderng over the problem |
for he had heard her father urging her to |
explain-had heard her implore that father |
not TO press the question now
CTo Be Continued on Monday