Barton County democrat., 1904-12-09

two days. and had had long conversa-
ton with the little lady of the house
one, in fact. behind closed doors after
Jack had been ''toted' to his room
Fred heard the colored house of COM
mons discussing the pros and cons as
to that indication, and in like manner
ascertained that the officer was Maj
Lounsberry-long a resident of Abe
marie and now Of the staff-the in
spector's department of the confeder-
ate army, and Fred could have sworn
MS pretty jailor was in tears when
she came hurrying up from one inter-
view. Morning and evening both had
he watched for the return of the lady
OF the broad-brimmed felt, but the
rain or something had been too much
for her. and she failed to reappear
Maj. Lounsberry's deep voice, how
ever, was heard in the broad lower
hall three hours after his long after
noon interview with Miss Chiffon. and
the doctor came briskly forth from
his study to greet and welcome the dis
tinguished representative of the war
ofhce-the son of an old familiar
friend. There was good news from
Yorktown, it seems, and small Pomp
brought it in with a little pitcher OF
cool buttermilk and some "cohn pone"
for Marse Benton-"De Yankees done
got licked agin down by yorktown"
"Marse Lounsberry" had SO told the
doctor, and Fred went down to Jacks
room, his arm still slung, to wish him
goodnight and learn what he knew
Rosalie departed and left them to each
other, and it happened that as the
doctor was ushering his martial Wis
itor from his study to the door full Is
minutes later. and long before Benton's
usual hour for retiring, the door to
Jacks room opened and the Yankee
lieutenant came forth, looking very
tall, erect and by no means broken
down.
The doctor gave a start-an unmis-
taxable glance of warning. A crouch
ing bundle of femininity near the head
of the stairs, out of Lounsberry's
sight but plainly in Benton's view,
frantfcally signalled with both impetu-
GUS hands-with wild eyes and wide
opening mouth gasping dismay-the
imperious order to go back at once, but
obtusely Benton stood his ground and
faced, half defantly, this new visitor,
who in turn stopped sho and calmly,
even somewhat insolently, surveyed
him. The major was the first to speak
Lieut.. Benton, 1 presume" said he
"and looking vastly better than had
been led to-hope." How near he there
came to saying ''believe!"
Looking quite well, my dear ma
jor," hastily interposed the doctor,
yet, 1 assure you, but the ghost of
the fine young fellow who rescued me
that night at Centerville. 1t will be
months before he can handle a sabre
again.
How about pen?' asked Louns1
berry, significantly, his eyes burning
into Benton's gaze as though striving.
to read his innermost thoughts. ~ .
MIR. Benton has certainly managed
to write three home lettersAleft-
handed" answered DR.. Chiffon, ,ssbeaAI
ing for his captive guest, yet .glancing
nervously toward him. They were
duly forwarded to Richmond to be
censored. Was it there YOU saw them,
Maj. Lounsberry = M, bar
Il had reference to ossib1lities, doc,
tor, though 1 am not acquainted with
the lieutenants left handwriting 1t
would be injudicious,f for instance mot
to say ungrateful te1those who have,
shielded him, were sles sR answer the
letter he found at the old side gate of
the garden, Monday evening!"7N sS:
The hot bloI Haped to Benton S,
face. LounsheEy had spoken with
Of oI Oh
sure of his grppRd. The dostor turned
expecting him promptly to deny the
imputati913 From the stairway came
the sound I Of faint rustic as Jth oughz
Rosalie shrank still further away, and
Bentepo felt, rather than saw that her
eyes were fixed upon him in mingled
scrutiny and indignation. The, silence,
was painful apd 5Renton broke it..
There was nothing new in the
note Hdoc tfr - Said he, purpose1y iig-
noring- the staff -eAieef- -"It-was 2torteil
pezZ1'What II eaayz.sespeeted and
since this gentleman's arrival. have
felt sure of-thatL was to pc Sent to
ave fhasnS olepsrlhg for iS and now
I am qH4<e feady to 60" - e''D
For the life of him as the sentence
81 esed he could not avoid shaOting o4teI
s1fift glance at the stairway to note
the effect of his words. The major
saw, turned and finding fhats from
FasheFe he stood the landing end, steit>
way were hidden from view stepped
qffck1y forward. Benton instantly did
the same. and almost breastSt o9Bfease
! mflP6 hsrSh he midSs 81 the
flashing in the eyes of each There
ke@Afbe sound of whisking 9dpery, a
SOff swish along stair and ha fAdr1Ia1 ~ "A l;