Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-18
CHAPTER X.
LIBBY OR LIBERTY.

While McClellan'S men were wallowing
IN the mud of the lower peninsula.
held by the elements. not by the enemy
for Magruders little force at York
town could not have stopped two di-
visions when led by a later day gen.
eral of the Army of the Potomac
here about charlottesville the wooded
heights were draped in filmy mist. the
mountain streams ran bank full, and
Jack Chilton's bodyguard came on duty
with blooming, rain-kissed cheeks.
Rosalie, secretly disturbed about her
captive, as the girls called him, pro-
fessed to think Mr.. Benton ought to
be glad to come downstairs and watch
Brother Jack being worshipped-'it
ought TO make any man better to see
how Virginia girls honor a Virginia
soldier stricken while battling for his
native state" Bull Run victims were
few and far between now-either were
they dead or again on duty-and Vir-
ginia girls by the hundred were long
ing to lavish smiles and sweetness
and soothing potions, all in one. on
Virginia lads shot or sabered in Their
defense. Time was soon. and far too
every room shoyld he filled with the
sore stricken. and there could be no.
where near enough Girls to go around;
out just now. in April, Charlottesville
mad but three wounded Southrons and
one "Yank," and to the foremost of
these Southrons all but corps d'elite
OF Miss Chilton's choosing were de-
MED admission AS TO the Yank, no
one of their number dare let another
know how gladly would her charity
have been eXtended-even to him. Of
course, however that was merely
through curiosity
No. Fred Benton was chatting. rest
less and unhappy, and. even now that
Paul was gone. again suffering the
pangs OF jealousy. A tall confederate
officer, very distinguished looking
major Of the staff. had called thrice in
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
10 that indication. and in like manner
ascertain that the officer was Mai.
Lounsoerry-long resident of Able
marie and now of the staff-the in
spector's department of the confeder-
49, sSiIilJ, and Fred could have sworn
his 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 PREDETERMINED felt but the
rain or something had been too much
Tor heI. and she failed to reappear.
MAJ. Lounsberrys deep voice how
ever, was heard in the broad lower
nall 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
unSuished representative of the war
offce-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
Stor 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.
frantically signalled with both impetu-
GUS hands-with wild eyes and wide
opening mouth gasping dismay-the
imperious order to so back at once. but
obtusely Benton stood his ground and
faced, half defiantly, this new visitor,
who in turn stopped short and calmly,
even somewhat insolently, surveyed
him. The major was the first to speak.
Lieut.. Benton, | presume" said he
and looking vastly better than | had
been led to-hope." How near he there
came 20 saying believed"
Looking quite well, my dear ma
jor, hastily interposed the doctor,
yet l assure you, but the ghost of
the fine young fellow who rescued me
that night at Centervine. 1t will be
months before he can handle a sabre
again."
How about a pen?" asked Louns-
berry, significantly, his eyes burning
anto BentOn's gaze as though striving
to read his innermost thoughts.
Mr.. Benton has certainly MANAGED
30 write three home letters-Ieft-
handed answered DR.. Chiffon, speak
ing for his captive guest. yet glancine
nervously toward him. They were
duly forwarded to Richmond to be
censored. Was it there you saw them,
Mai. Lounsberry? ?"
Il had reference to possibilities. doc
tor, though l am not acquainted with
the lieutenants left handwriting. Ii
would be injudicious, for instance. not