The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-01-12


1t had startled and then angerCA 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 10 the enemy" Since
The first Of May the worst that could be
said of him was that he had sent three
letters to a certain address in St. Louis.
and that three missives had come to
him bearing the ST. Louis postmark
Everybody knew that St. Louis was in
tested with southern sympathizers who
bad 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.
so far from its being McKinnon's
fault" the elder Benton answered. as
soon as he could control his voice, Il
hold your friend Paul solely response
bic. 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
Eerous an association"
Fred would not hold aloof. For three
days he was constantly at the Ladues,
comforting Paul as best he could. ana
on this evening of the third day. after
ruefully. enyiously bidding sdieu 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 1t 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-
tiolled manner, but this afternoon
father babe me pack my trunk and be
ready to go to Aunt Margaret to-mor-
row. 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 ST.
lence.
Il told Elinor and / tell you. Fred,
that II l had any idea that duty de-
manded my going back 10 the land of
my birth-it is ended. II people will
only let me stay in peace-my place is
here"
Good God, PAUL" was the almost
exultant answer. What a load you've
lifted from my mind. What a facer
this will be TO McKinnon!"
And so perhaps 4: might have been
had 1t become known TO him and to
the public that evening before he had
finished his impassioned speech and
had exhibited a certain letter, but even
as they sat there, hand in hand, the
sound Of cheering grew fierce and fire.
quent. On the broad veranda sat Eli
nor looking at the dim light up the
stre@t where dwelt the Ladues. and lis
tening 70 the cheering that told unerr-
lngly the stirring effect of the speakers
words.
Away to the west, down in the val
ey Of the river. confused Inurmur
rose upon the night. Then to her