Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-11-25
Copyright. 1909. BIZ G. W. Dillingham; O.
tContrnued.I

geant?" demanded Benton.
"They are, SIR
What do they owe you, sir?" de-
manded the aide, turning to the ell
derly man at the sidebcard who was
nursing a bruised throat, yet looking
infinitely thankful.
"They don't owe me-cept for q 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 dem1john I lowed
it was robbery
"How dare you men break in here"
demanded Benton. sternty. you know
the orders against plundering. Take
their names, sergeant, and turn them
over to the guard when you overtake
the regiment.
May I say a word, sir?" asked one
of the trio, stepping forward. with
shifty salute, for all three seemed So
bered by their plight.
t.Say on
I'VE didn't break in, sir. The door
| was open, the light in the window. We
| 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 tc step in here a 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 -
! 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 Henry's? She was
to take care of her brother till I re-
turned. Hal anybody dared-affront
/ n } VtffS<,<o
Answer NE, mani"
| But despite the almost agonized ap-
| peal, despite the assurance that Ben
ton, though in the garb of the enemy
was yet a 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 can't 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
place."
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
a 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 a quarter
Of a 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 Stuarts 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 thre<
minutes before. swiftly closing behind
q slender figure in the trim frock od
gray-the uniform Of the confederate
. service. He saw the same form dasf
by the northward window. and instead
Of pursuing. whirled about. spraa.
through the front door and round to tn.
westward side OF the house dasx miss
ing collision With = painting corpora
: who cried. "Reb ofacer ran down thu
{ way from the Henry house. He enl