Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-15

2
 at last. and the brilliant leader or the southern horse was borne away to die within the walls of the weeping city, and here it was, after Yellow Tav- ern, Fred Benton had one of the odd est, yet most opportune, meetings of the war.
 It was 8 soft, moonlit night in May Three confederate officers, unhorsed and captured, had been brought to Sheridan's camp fire near the Rich mond road. and in one of these Ben ton instantly recognized young Win ston, wearing now the braid of major of cavalry. The recognition was mu- 1 tual, and Benton's weIl-flled flask was brought into requisition at the instant. Benton saw the Virginian was in deep chagrin. A question as to Louns. berry's whereabouts was all that was needed, and Winston launched at once into tirade. There never was such internal luck, he said. For months three men had been bounding that fel- low to get an accounting from him on a matter that-that-well Pelham s sister had been engaged-at least be- lieved herself engaged-to Lounsberry ever since early in the war, yet in January came the announcement of his approaching marriage to widow of wealth and social position in Charles ton. He had tricked Maud most damn ably, said Winston, and Lloyd Pelham. the very young fellow who was so near. ly killed trying to save Lounsberry out there near Gainesville, captain now and only 20, had been trying to get a fight out of him, and so had Jack Chil- ton, but Floyd had the best claim, and now Lounsberry had actually been nailed. He had come to Stuart with dispatches and Pelham had slashed him in the face with his gauntlet. A meeting had been arranged for to-mor- row morning. He, Winston. was Pe1- hams second, and would almost give his parole, were such thing possible to an officer of Stuart's cavalry, to get back to the confederate lines and bring that fellow to book.
 You owe him grudge as we'll as { Maud Pelham's kinsmen." said he. Sooner or later he's got to fight pr funk. can't be there to second Pel- ham, and now there's no telling when any of us can get at him.
 ''Why not Chilton?" asked Fred.
 'sChilton!" and Winston flushed with embarrassment. "Chilton has just been sent away on-other duty"
 with his wounded leader and kins- man-to Richmond?' hazarded Fred.
 "No-o.' was the halting reply. Tn F. o+ af car xxybf hn aad gone.
 It seemed long indeed before any of those who owed Lounsberry a grudge were enabled to "get at him." But there came time, and not to those that wore the gray, but to Benton, still serving with Sheridan.
 Grant had crossed the James and in- vested Petersburg, when to shake him loose, if possible, by the old device of soaring Washington, Early was sent down the Shenandoah valley, with 13s- poo men and orders to stir up Mary and. Stir accordingly he did, until the arrival of the Sixth corps from the James and the approach of the Nine teenth. Then Early harked back, leaving just few of his men cut off by sudden rush of union cavalry, one of these young captain of his own staff. an almost invaluable offi- cer. So, this warm August even Ing, as Benton came riding down from a scout among the beautiful heights that border the valley on the east, he stopped his horse at the public trough and caught glimpse of three forms that had stopped short at sight of the blue-jackets and, after a mo- ment's hesitation, had turned back the way they came. One, an elderly clergy man, gave his arm to gentlewoman, evidently bowed with care and sorrow. The third form was that of a girl, slen- der, graceful, and in her walk there was something vaguely familiar to Benton's eyes, even before he noted that she wore drab felt hat, broad brimmed and feathered. Benton fol- lowed to the corner, and saw the girl enter the gateway of an unpretentious little home, while the other two walked slowly on. Quickly he crossed the street, followed along hedge of rose bushes, turned sharply through the gate, and face to face at the trellised porch met the girl whom be had first seen sauntering along that leafy side street at Charlottesville in the spring of '62. Bearded, bronzed and stalwart as he was to-day, she saw nothing to 1 remind her of the pallid prisoner of the Chiltons, and only indignation at his intrusion blazed in her cheeks and eyes, but, in spite of gallant effort, she struck her colors at his very first word, when, with uplifted forage-cap he bowed and calmly addressed her: Miss Pelham, believe, whom I had the pleasure of seeing at Char lottesville. hope your brother is not l wounded-and here"
 Then he repented him of his cruelty when he saw her sway and stretch forth her hand for the support of the rail- l ing at the steps. Pardon me-" he l continued, his blue eyes fixed on her almost ashen face, "but nothing less