Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-10-25
CHAPTER x1.
QUEEN ROSALIE.


For ten minutes after reading that
strange missive Benton stood absorbed
in deep, painful thought. The alter
native presented was trying one.
From what DR.. Chiffon had said in the
course of the evenings conference the
prospect of long imprisonment seemed
assured. Lounsberry was man Of
influence. even power, at Richmond,
and he could be relied on to exert it
against Benton because-"be because"
said the doctor, as he was rearranging
the bandages on Benton's arm, "he is
no longer kindly disposed toward my
household, suh," and Fred reasoned
that Rosalie could, if she would, give
further and more explicit information.
81 have been fearing this for several
days, subj said Chiffon. Several of
my patients, who are loyal Virginians
and fully in accord with the stand of
their state, sub, have nevertheless been
loyal in their friendship to me. They
believe in fair play. They honor a
chivalric enemy and they know how
you protected and aided me- From
I'LL &C vi 1oul 0oulSCo, IACl Slol luCoC
warnings came, and-and other stories
that 1 prefer not to mention. re-
fused to believe all until Maj Louns-
berry practically confirmed the truth
that is-the truth Of those referring
to him, to-day. But I shall write to
Longstreet tonight, sub, and to Jeb
Stuart and to Gen. Lee. They will
ho, ioR with %Io
Benton, and meanwhile" here both the
kindly voice and the gentle hand
seemed to tremble, I'll would give
almost anything 1 own toto stop
your being sent to Libby, sub, but,
see no way-I see no way"
And soon thereafter, leaving Pomp to
assist his soldier patient the doctor
had withdrawn to his study on the
ground floor, promising to be with him
again about five.
1t was just after II o'clock by
Benton's watch as be reused himself
from the spell of anxious thought and
looked about him. There was signif-
canoe in Pomp's disappearance. 1t was
evident that the youngster had been
carefully coached" to point out the
| lightning rod as the best means tc
leave the house unseen, unheard. Thai
Benton was confidently expected tc
make the attempt was obvious. Other
wise Pomp would have remained tc
help him off with his boots and uni.
form. Even to his watch, purse, spurs
and boots not an item of his personal
equipment had been taken by his cap.
tors. His sword had been stricken
from his hand during the melee at the
stone house and his revolver was gone
but that was ALL A year later every.
thing would have become legitimate
spoils Of war.
Peering from his window Benton
saw, or fancied he saw the din
light as of lantern fitting about
the barn. Evidently they were
even then waiting for him. Evi
IDENTIFY he was expected to lose not {
moment" Yet who were they? Surely
not his venerable host and helper-fol
DR.. Chiffon could not lend himself t.
any scheme for the escape of THE
prisoner without breaking faith will
the confederate government. Surely
not Jack, his wounded son, for court
martial and dismissal in disgrace would
follow even circumstantial evidence
that he had aided or suggested tn
escape. Surely not Resale! She hat
shown such deep adherence of the plo
to speed his going that, even afte
her impulsive outbreak early in tn
evening, he could not but feel it woul,
be treachery TO her and to those sh
held dear were he now to make the at
tempt, notwithstanding the fact tina
transfer to Libby stared him in tn
face.
Pomp's completely it was easy to ex
plain. The negroes, as rule, wer
glad to help the "Lincum soldiers,
and, where they were hesitant, brib
soon settled the matter. Then Pomp'
suggestion Of the lightning rod wa
! still further proof that outsiders. no