Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-26

to take care Of her brother till re, turned. Had anybody dared affront her-there? Where is she, Jenn1ngs2 Answer me, man!"
 But despite the almost agonized ap- peal, despite the assurance that Ben- ton, though in the garb of the enemy was yet friend. the Virginian could not reply. Wait, doctor-wait till you see Judge Armistead. He'll tell you the hull story. He's coming over from Hopewell this evening
 Judge Armistead-here? And she went with him, do you mean-and left my boy? Why, Jennings, I cant be- lieve it.'
 And then the Hoosier sergeant again came to the door.
 Sharp firing, lieutenant, south Of us! Shall follow Maj. May or turn after the guard toward the Lewis placer"
 stepped outside. The moon was just peeping above the trees toward the distant heights of Centreville and near by objects were become more readily visible in the faint and mystic light. Somewhere to the south-toward the Junction-Stuart' venturesome troop CTS had come in view of slowly retir- ing parties of the Western brigade and 8 fairly brisk fusliade was the result For a moment the officer listened to the spiteful crackle of carbine and rife, then answered the question. Better follow the major-and lively, too. I'll catch you before you've gone a quarter of mile.''
 He felt that it was now unsafe to re- turn to the Henry house. The guard was gone. The chances were that with in a few minutes Stuart's troopers would be coming up the Sudley road from the south. He would say word of farewell to Dr. Chiffon, then follow his men. Leaving the horses with the orderly in front, he once more turned, and as he entered the rear room, stop ping most excited conversation, he was amazed to see the back door which had been shut and barred three minutes before, swiftly closing behind slender figure in the trim frock of gray-the uniform of the confederate service. He saw the same form flash by the northward window, and instead of pursuing, whirled about, sprang through the front door and round to the westward side of the house just miss ing collision with panting corporal who cried, "Reb officer ran down this way from the Henry house. Me and Kinks followed" All in an instant then his suspicious were confirmed. All in a seconds time, 1t seemed, he had hurled himself on dim, fragile form and, clasping it in his arms, strained 1t, despite furious struggles, to his breast. Paul Paul." he cried. Don't you know me?-Fred? Sur render, you blessed boy reb. surrender Heavens, man, don't scratch!" for two furious little hands were tearing at his cheeks. Speak, you sinner. Haven't known since five o'clock twas you saw at the window?''
 But so far from speaking, only pant ing incoherencies escaped the lips of his captive Straining, squirming, the slender form writhed and palpitated in his clasp, a heart was throbbing like mad against his, and while he still clung with one arm to his prize, he seized and captured with the other hand a long, slim fingered, sharp nailed little member that was bent, apparent ly on tearing out his eyes, and then, swaying and staggering, Benton bore his prize into the moonlit space beyond just as the doctor and the Virginian, lantern bearing, came stumbling out into the night. The yellow gleam fell full on a beautiful, dark, flushing face framed in masses of dusky hair tumb- ling about the sloping shoulders and down the slender back-for the natty s1ouch hat had been lost somewhere in the scuff1e-fell upon glowing, in dignant. magnificent eyes, upon fash ing white teeth, upon lovely, ruddy, parted lips, and in amaze, yet still clinging to his lovely captive, Benton Stammered:
 Not Paul. but, whoever you are my prisoner!''
 Not Paul--nor your prisoner!'"' was the sudden, exultant answer, in a voice that ever since early evening had been ringing in his ears. "Not your prisoner. You're ours! Do you hear?' And out of the silence of the night there burst the thunder of gal loping hoofs, close upon them, sweep ing like tornado over the open fields to the northwest, and then there came, whirling into view and surging all about them a swarm of shouting jubi. lant cavaliers-Stuart's Virginians in all their e,rl-- slorw.
 Gro Be Continued1