The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-28

please don't; I'll see II I can't get your
brother released on parole; indeed I will;
only don't cry
81 am very selfish" she said: eft is dan
gerous for you 10 stay here. I can rely
on your promise. for how cruel 1t would be
IL Richard should not be home II father
, sob silenced her.
The thud Of hoofbeats mufrled in the deep
dust was heard and Benham knew that a
party had come to his rescue in spite of
the risk. Phyllis at once prepared TO hide
among the rank weeds and bushes of the
roadside
Your brother Will come homo tonight
Miss Yorke. 1 promise" said Benham as.
with a look Of gratitude she stepped into
the thicket.
The newcomers were three Of McClellan's
staff officers. including FELTON,. In twink
ling FELTON, mounted Conqueror. while Ben
ham took his rescuer's sweating horse, and
they spurred back up the road at nearly as
good pace as Benham had come until In
creased distance from the Confederate
pckets made speed less needful and con-
versation possible When headquarters
was reached Benham learned that McClel-
Ian had invited his guests to remain for
supper. During the meal Benham was the
target for no little chatting. which he took
good humoredly. telling how strangely the
runaway had stopped, but, Of course, say
ing nothing of the girl to whom he owed
his liberty.
After evening parade the senior officers
withdrew to the Generals private office
for an evening to be spent at cards and
wine. Benham raeked his brains for plan
to fulfill his promise to Phyllis. He knew
that now 1t would be impossible TO demand
an audience with Mcclellan. The young
officers were smoking on the veranda and
Benham realized that the time was passing
without any attempt to free Richard Iorke.
At last fate was kind to Benham. Let's
go over to the guardhouse, Benham." sug-
gested FELTON,: land call on the prisoners.
There's one chap 1 know you'll like. Cap
tain Yorke; he's won our respect by his SEN
sible acceptance of his misfortune, so were
great friends. and every one does all he
can to make things easy for him. BY Jove!
he owns the horse you rode this afternoon;
he'll enjoy that Joke"
Benham assented with a carefully as
slmed carelessness. Ten minutes later they
were in the guardhouse and FELTON, was In
tro ducing Benham to tall, slight young
man, whose resemblance to Phyllis was SO
marked that Benham felt the ceremony OF
introduction to be quite superfluous.
Lets go outside and smoke said Fell
ton; ITS stuffy in here
with you permission" said the Captain.
smiling. The sentries made no protest at
this breach OF discipline as their prisoner
passed them. for such lapse was common.
Captain Yorke often being privileged by his
friendly captors. Benham was formulating
and abandoning plans so fast that he hard
ly heard FELTON, telling OF Conqueror's ex-
ploit. Their laugh was interrupted by an
orderly. Major Halls compliments and
would Mr.. FELTON, come to his tent for q
mirUte," was his message.
I'll be back soon," FELTON, called, a. he
followed the orderly.
"Quickr whispered Benham to the aston
ished Captain. You must escape. I have
seen your sister, and your father is dying.
perhaps. I promised that I would get you
through the lines
Yorke gave a mufhed exclamation, then
followed Benham as he ran through the
darkness as quickly as possible. Now rum
ming mady. now hiding from observation.
they passed through the camp safely. II
FELTON, should return before they were near
er the pickets-Benham caught his breath as
he thought; an indefinite time that seemed
to the straining muscles Of the runners like
eternity. and then behind them they heard
shots and cries.
ITO alarm the pickets." sasped Benham.
They were near the lines now. Suddenly