Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-11-18

telling Ferguson that if there were no
objections she would finish her walk
later. 1t might be dark and chilly, but
she knew the garden now and would
throw a shawl over Ter head. Ferguson
said, BY all means,s and sure enough,
right after dark, out she came again,
slim and fragile looking, but well
wrapped up, and Henry begged her not
to stay out long We saw her fitting
about in the dim light of the camp
fire and lanterns a moment or two.
then she seemed to take to the outer
edge of the enclosure. and then. by
Jove. she disappeared totally. They
hunted everywhere, and while they
were hunting Capt Carver rode up
with orders for Ferguson and was told
what had happened. He was COM
PEELED to leave at once, but the search
continued. 1T is perfect mystery"
said the lieutenant, removing his cap
and wiping his brow.
Then while they were talking, the
sentries challenged at the bridge, and,
to the amaze of Benton, who should
appear but old DR.. Chiffon with his
country omnibus and the strange ex-
PLANTATION that he had lost the road
got way south toward the lower fords
and had been turned back, by no less
parsonage than Gen. Anger, whom he
had met at Washington several years
before when the general was cap
tain of regulars. Benton's guarantee
to the guard was sufficient, and they
let the doctor go on his westward way
and Benton went with him, that he
might give the anxious father these
further particulars as they trotted
along the dim, shadowy vista of the
famous old thoroughfare. Benton had
determined now to revisit the Henry
house and make still further investi-
cation.
But he never reached it Pushing
westward along the pile they noted
that all was darkness about the old
Robinson place on the rise to the south,
and then were surprised to see lights
fitting about the stone house, close to
the road on the right hand side. Then
voices in excited tones were heard
within. Two or three were harsh and
threatening, one was uplifted in min
gled plea and protest, and then, from
the direction of the Sudley read, only
a few yards away, came shadowy
forms, just visible under the starlight.
Halt" was the instant order from
Benton's lips, low, yet commanding,
and his revolver seemed to leap from
the holster who are you?"
"Patrol-Nineteenth Indiana" was
the prompt answer "Is that you,
Lieut. Benton? Three of our fellows
strayed away, and the captain ordered
me down here to look 'em up. They've
called in the guard at the Henry house
where you were this afternoon"
your men are herein this house,
and you're just in time, I fancy" for
now there were sounds of scuff1e and
violence. Benton was of his horse in
a second and, followed by the ser
geant and two or three men, hurled
before his impetuous rush, and in an
other moment he had sprung through
one dismantled room into another at
the rear of the house, and there came
upon a sight that explained the whole
situation-a demijohn-the mate to the
one he had seen at Cebtreville-stood
on a rude sideboard, with only one
civilian to defend it against three
sturdy lads in full marching order who
had evidently just had enough peach"
to be mad for more. One of them had
grappled with the owner, the other two
were watching a chance for leap at
the prize when Benton and the SER
geant burst in upon them.
Shame-stricken. caught in the act,
the three marauders faced the rescu-
ing party and sheepishly, fOolishiy, fur
lively glanced about them, from the
tall staff Ofhcer to the grinning COM
radios at his hack