The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-02-23

of spurred boots on thu path below
coming from the back gate-the way
to the barn. Another moment and,
distinctly, in a sudden lull OF the
breeze. lie heard low, cautious voice
/ In half murmur, half whisper Words
were indistinguishable. but he knew
/ the tones-Lounsberry beyond ques-
/ tioa, and Lounsberry hailing in eX-
| pectation Of finding there an accom-.
/ plice.
Not a second could he lose now! To
/ so would be to meet the death Of an
/ escaping prisoner-Or. at best, justifi-
able Imprisonment behind the bars. To
stay where he was might involve her
might at least so startle as TO force
/ from her a cry of alarm. Quick, light
and 1.-THE as a panther he sprang to
I his feet and met her just outside the
| door No time for explanation
"Silence!" he whispered, almost saw
agely. 'Lounsberry is there" and then
| defiant even OF her wrath, he wrapped
that one strong arm about her. foi
/ (this at least, long after. was his one
excused he thought she would fall, so
sudden was the shock and start, so
wildly beat the little heart once more
/ 1uttering on his breast For a moment
she was too dazed to use her strength,
then, through her set teeth, savagely
as he had spoken. she Kissed at him,
while slender fingers tore at his muscu-
/ lar hand:
Let me so. instantly"
And when he had released her. she
| again seemed like to fall and he again
! essayed to hold her, but now with
clinching little fists she fairly beat him
OF. Then. spIinging past him? Keeling
a bit, but desperate and determined
/ few to the window, knelt and listened
/ leaving him faltering one moment al
the door. Only a moment. though;
/ for, casting aside all scruple. he fol-
/ lowed and knelt beside her. Shrinking
from him, with her white hands pressed
to her temples; amaze, indignation.
/ then triumph In her face, though he
/ could not see IT,, she seemed listening
| absorbed. Again IL was LOunsberry's
voice, and Lounsberry had found his
/ fellow spy. and with amazing conf
dence and fuency was Pomp replying
Oh. what glibness Of guilei
Yeas. sub. | don tole him So He
cum down the back stayuhs an outen
dc back do mos an hour ago. an 10
we could show him de way, sub. Miss
Resale come tay'in after him. an
| draw'd him back into de house again."
/ Benton could feel. although only a
| fold of her gown touched his knee, that
! the girl beside him was fairly quivering
at that bare-faced whopper. but CULVER
ing with wrath or delight he knew not
| VIII ich.
you imp Of hell II you are lying
] III skin you alive! Whose horses were
those in the side lot as l came up?"
demanded Lounsberry.
"Fo' Gawd, captain. | do know
Dey wasn't ouhs-ouhs is in de balm.
sub Take de key and see TO yo'self
Hyuhs the dochtuh now. subj"
A stream Of yellow light had shot
| suddenly forth as a door in the
north wing was thrown open. and,
lantern in hand. out came the head Of
the house, angering, bareheaded
What are you doing here az this
| hour. you black rascal. and with whom
are you talking? Mai .Lounsberry! "
and with amaze and dismay in his voice
the old Virginian faced his unlooked-
for visitor.
Il do not wonder at your surprise.
doctor" promptly replied the stan
officer, stepping forward into the little
| circle OF light Il bad thought 20 be-
! az tiordonsville before this, but
strange things are happening. strange
! stories are afloat. II came TO my ears
while on the way that your servants
had been bribed to enable Lieut. Ben
ton to escape this night. | returned
at once. and two of my escorts declare
that two horsemen rode away from
your side yard yonder barely ten
minutes ago. You can hear their story,
or satisfy yourself and me. II you will,
that-that our prisoner IS still here. "
Still here. Mai. Lounsberry," an
swered the doctor. with grave dignity.
Though | warn you now that since
your order was issued remanding him
to Libby no longer assume RESPONSE
bility. I know that he "a still here,
but-do you prefer 10 search in person,
subj"
In an instant Rosalie was on her feet.
Only a second or two she stood there.
quivering with excitement then seized
him by the arm. Quick Follow me, -
she whispered. Out into the broad
landing she rushed and to Benton
amaze. struck a light. threw open the
I'D Of an old colonial desk that stood
With It's back against the wall between
the doors OF her own and her aunt's
room. pumped blm down into a chair,
and scattered paper and envelopes 10
front Of him. BE writing your let
ters." she whispered command. Then
away she sped, closed her door behind
her Just as the Doctors voice was
again heard in tie hall below
Two minutes later, lantern bearing,
the master of the house came slowly
mp the stairs, followed by the clinking
boots OF Mai Lounsberry. Feigning
surprise at such interruption. the union
officer rose deliberately from his seat
and confronted the .wo. They stopped
short and for a moment were speech
less; then