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

ing OF the face at that Jagged hole.
! some sudden impulse prompted him
10 quickly turn in saddle, to bring the
powerful lenses TO bear on little win
dow under the peak OF the roof OF the
Henry house. and there was the face
again, furtye, frightened, he could
swear, and again instantly it popped
out OF sight
But his heart had given leap as sud
den as the sight He whirIed his
horse TO the leftabout and rode
straight for the rear entrance 10 the
garden Another moment and. dis
mounting. he raped loudly at the
door a tall slim man of middle age
appeared and. with grave courtesy but
without welcome in his tones. asked
the purpose OF his coming.
I am Lieut. Benton. sir-aide-de-
camp TO the general commanding the
division guarding your premises, and
have a question TO ask as 10 the oc-
cUpant Of your garrett
Instantly there came from Just with
in the doorway 10 an inner room half
stuffed cry-a gasp-a rustic OF skirts
The tall man turned thither a quick
glance of warning and rebuke, then,
visibly paler, again faced his caller
You see the condition of my house,
sir II is a mere wreck as the result
Of the cannonading it sustained-from
both sides-in the battle OF last July
We have been trying TO make it habit
able, and have given succor here to
sick nefghbors or friends who had no
roofs left TO cover them-only to the
sick, SIR
Benton paused, irresolute The tall
Virginian spoke with so much dignity
and sadness The house, as he said,
seemed barely habitable. The garnet,
especially, was little better than a
ruin The face at that peep-hole on
the eastern side and at the little win
dow away up under the gable caves
at the north might well have been
that Of some of the household, yet
even at the distance and at the first
glance there was a something about it
that caused his heart that leap of sud
den JOY and that kept it bounding still.
And then-if it should be true-if what
he hoped-and feared-were really so,
what would be his duty to his general
to his country? Against all enc
mics or opposers whomsover"-the
words of his oath of office came ring
ing to his ears-blazing before his eyes
in letters of fire-and without further
ado he briefly said: Il am sorry to
intrude, sir, but what I saw at that
window makes it necessary that I
should see the garrett VIII you lead
the way?''
-
tated, then, lifting his hat stepped
backward to admit his unwelcome visi-
tor. I'VE are in your hands, sir" was
his half reproachful answer. Enter
if you will
But then came sudden barrier to fur
Their progress. Quickly there stepped
into view and stood confronting him at
the doorway to the inner room the
tall and slender form of young girl.
Eighteen she might have been but
not more, though anxiety and grief
had paled her pretty face. But hel
great, glorious dark eyes were all
ablaze as she folded her slender arms
and looking the young officer squarelv
IN the face, said, This is my room
sir, and not subject TO search
Slowly Fred BentOn's gauatleted
hand went up to the visor and the
natty forage cap was uplifted. Tht
kindly, yet kindling eyes of blue gazed
one moment into the un1inching, IN
melting eyes of deep, deep brown, then
turning deliberately the aide-de-camo
inquired:
rs there another way to reach the
stair?''
Only by going round the house to
the other door, sir" was the Virginian 5
reply; whereat Mr.. Benton, with bow
as ceremonious as though he, too,
hailed from the shores of the James
the York or Rappahannock instead OF
the busting, prsgTnatical northwest
looked once more long at the lovely
oval face, nov surely blushing before
him, then turned and left the room.
Three minutes later he had searched
both garnet and the upper story ant
not sign Of occupant was there