Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1905-10-04
By GEN. CHARLES KING
Copyright, 1902, by c. w. Dillingham; Co.
CHAPTER IL CONTINUED.

1t had startled and then angered the
elder man, SO loyal and devoted had
his son ever been in the past. Well he
knew that though some letters had
passed in April between Paul Ladue
and persons in Alabama. it was impos-
sible to prove that he was planning
to join the southern army much less
that he was furnishing information or
aid and comfort 20 the enemy" Since
the first Of May the worst that could be
said OF him was that he had sent three
letters to certain address in st. Louis,
and that three missives had come to
him bearing the st. Louis postmarll.
Everybody knew that st. Louis was in
tested with souther Sympathizers who
had means of communication with
friends beyond the line, and it was
these letters McKinnon referred to
when he dared to suggest that it was
the postmaster's duty to open them
and learn their contents. Not yet had
the north reached the point of violating
the sanctity of personal mail.
80 far from its being McKinnon's
fault the elder Benton answered, as
hold your friend Paul solely response
BILE. McKinnon is an intensely loyal
man, and he and | both are indignant
that any man should be living here in
our midst and holding reasonable cor
respondence with the enemy You
will do well, sir, if you hope for a
commission, to hold aloof from so dan
gerous an association"
Fred would not hold aloof. For three
days he was constantly at the Ladues,
comforting Paul as best he could, and
on this evening of the third day, after
ruefully, enviously bidding adieu to
many friend who had marched away
with the Second, he had cut loose from
the crowd and returned to his labor
of love. Entering the shaded gateway
he had been surprised to see a vision
in white seated close to Paul's reclin-
ing chair. and COMPOUNDED and troubled
to find that it was Elinor. Bravely she
had risen and faced him:
1T seems that it is not enough that
Paul should be forbidden our house."
said she, with strangely calm and con-
trolled manner. but this afternoon
ready to go TO Aunt Margaret to-mor-
row. l have obeyed him, and tonight
shall tell him that came here to bid
Paul good-by." Then with bowed head
she hurried away.
What was the promise, Paul?''
asked Benton after a moment of 81.
lence.
II told Elinor and tell you. Fred
that if l had any idea that duty de-
manded my going back to the land oil
my birth-it is ended. If people will
only let me stay in peace-my place is
here"
Good God, PAUL." was the almost
exultant answer. What load you've
lifted from my mind, What a facel
this will be to McKinnon!"
And so perhaps it might have beer
had it become known to him and t.
the public that evening before he hat
finished his impassioned speech ant
had exhibited certain letter, but ever
as they sat there, hand in hand, tn,
sound of cheering grew fierce and fire
Quent On the broad veranda sat Eli
nor looking at the dim light up tn,
street where dwelt the Ladues, and lis
tening to the cheering that told unerr
ingly the stirring effect of the speaker
words.
Away to the west, down in the val
ley of the river. confused murmu
rose upon the night Then to he