The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-28
LOYAL BENHAMS TREASON. R1EAAzARE1A RqRREAA
BY ELIZABETH BuRRElL

partly burned attracted their attention.
They rode in between the gateless p>sts.
over a lawn Uttered with furniture that
had been dragged out during the raid. A
massive desk had been overthrown and
broken into during the eager search for val
tables; papers and letters thrown from its
ritied drawers had been blown about the
grass. Benham saw among these papers a
truant sheet ornamented with crest
1 Wondering II the crest were familiar to him
ne determined ~ secure the sheet Know
ing that If he dIsmounted his efforts to re-
gain the saddle would be ungainly he drew
his sword. intending to spear the paper.
Whether or not the horse thought the
rasp of the sword was a signal to charge,
Benham had no leisure to decide. With an
alarmed snort the horse sprang forward
like a steel spring suddenly uncoiing and
sped up the road, presenting no less ludi
crous a spectacle than Benham embracing
his steed's neck as desperately and as low
ingly at did John Gilpin Of mirthsome men,
DRY in similar predicament
Several officers at once gave chase. but
the ruriaway's speed was not to be equaled
and the would-be rescucrs soon became
aware OF danger that forced them to I'M
Willingly abandon the luckless Benham to
his fate. The Confederate picket line was
not two miles away. This painful fact
forced itself upon Benham at once. and 1t
is to be feared that he swore roundly. This
beast was going back to the rebel camp
and would take him there. How they would
laugh at him, To become dweller in Libby
Prison was not a pleasant futurity, but to
be carried within the enemy lines like a
bag of meal-to be the captive of run
away horse! Benham feared the rebels
Jeers more than their prison: he began to
tumble biindly with the holster straps. de-
termined TO shoot the horse hven II the
fall broke his own neck. He could already
see the picket man pointing at him, could
almost hear him shout to a gray-clad COM
rade. His struggle with the holster flap
almost cost him his seat, but at last he
dragged out the loaded pistol. He was on
the crest of a hill that suddenly dipped to-
ward deep hollow; the pickets were hid
den from sight as the horse plunged down
the hill. Benham had decided to shoot the
horse when the bottom OF the hill was
reached. He would then be out Of sight of
the pickets. with a better chance to escape
them should he he hurt.
He put the muzzie OF the pistol behind
the horses ear and was about to pull the
trigger. when a slight figure stepped from
the roadside almost in front Of the unman-
aseable horse. "Conqueror!' cried a girls
voice. The horse quivered and stopped so
suddenly that Benham almost throw
With a low whinny of delighted recognition
Conqueror ambled up to the girl and put
his great noss on her shoulder: then Ben
ham found himself face to face with Phyllis
Yorke. Good afternoon. Miss Yorke," he
said. THANK you for saving me from SO
humiliatfng a catastrophe. suppose that
I should send word that the couch prepared
tonight for me in Libby Prison will lack
an occupant" He at once regretted the
raillery. for he noticed that she was pale
and grave; II seemed as II some final mis-
fortune had at last overcome her courage
I'm going TO our camp tonight to fetch
home my brother Richard; father Is worse
and fear that this is the end. oh, sir,
how does 1t happen that you are riding
Richards horse?" she asked, anxious lest
more Ill was to come.
Benham gently took her hand with O kind
ness that she could neither mistake nor re-
sent. It'll tell you all / know about your
brother" he said. though I wish you could
learn II from any one but me. General
Mcclellan himself told mo that this horse
was captured with his rider in yesterdays
skirmish."
Phyllis began to. weep bitterly with tho
deep hopeless sobs of q broken-hearted
child.
Don't" begged Benham. helplessay;