Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-10-20
Are these your missing men, SER
geant" demanded Benton.

sAAASS>~~o
geant?" demanded Benton.
"They are, sir"
What do they owe you, sir?" de-
manded the aide, turning to the ell
derby man at the sideboard who was
nursing bruised throat, yet looking
infinitely thankful.
"They don't owe me-'cept for few
drinks of peach-I'd a given them that
gladly if they'd said they were dry
and hadn't any money, but when it
came to takin' the demijohn / lowed
it was robbery"
How dare you men break in here?"
demanded Benton, sternly. you know
the orders against plundering. Take
their names, sergeant, and turn them
over to the guard when you overtake
the regiment"
MAY say a word, sir?' asked one
of the trio, stepping forward, with a,
shifty salute, for all three seemed So
bered by their plight
"Say on"
1--WE didn't break in, sir. The door
w Go SpOu, IuC liSh III lhS WiluO". wv
were down here before eight O'Clock
with the sergeant, trying to find news
of the young lady, and this fellow can
tell about her and won't tell. 1t was
that We came to see about. He set up
the peach to keep us from 'peaching,
and the scamp had the impudence to
grin over his own conceit.
"Take those men outside" ordered
Benton, implacably, land ask DR.. Chill
ton to step in here moment I'm
afraid you're hurt" he continued, for
the man had turned pale and was lean
ing against the sideboard for support.
At the sound of the name "Chilton" he
started and glared. Obediently the SER
geant marched his prisoners to the
outer air. and, presently, In came the
doctor. One quick glance passed be-
tween him and the pallid Virginian.
you here now, Jennings!" cried the
newcomer; land hurt? How did it
| happen? When did you get here?
Have you seen-do you know anything
of Rosalie?" and by this time his prac-
ticed finger was at the others pulse
the other who for all reply glanced sig
nificantly, warningly toward Benton,
and seemed striving to bid his friend
be silent. But the doctor was all i'm
patience.
Speak man! This gentleman Is a
friend-a friend in need. You have
seen her. Is she safe? Is she harmed 9"
Safe was the sententious answer,
with still another significant look, dis
regarded as before by Chiffon.
But what does it mean? Why
should she leave Hsnry's? She was
to take care of her brother till re-
turned. Had anybody dared-affront
her-there? Where is she, Jennings?
Answer me, mani"
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, can't be-
lieye it."
And then the Hoosier sergeant again
came to the door.
Sharp firing, lieutenant, south OF
us! Shall 1 follow Maj May or turn
after the guard toward the Lewis
placer"
Leaving the two Virginians Benton
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's venturesome troop
ers had come in view of slowly retir-
ing parties. of the Western brigade and
fairly brisk fusliade was the result.
For a moment the officer listened to
the spiteful crackle of carbine and rifle,
then answered the question. Better
follow the major-and lively, too. I'll
catch you before you've gone 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
i 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 a most excited conversation, he
was amazed to see the back door
which had been shut and barred three
minutes before, swiftly closing behind
a 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 painting 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.
IN