Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1905-01-18

Lieut.. BENTON. presume said he
and locking vastly better than / had
been led to-hope." How near he there
came to saying "believe.'
Looking q.ite well. my dear ma
jor. hastily interposed the decor.
yet, assure you, but the ghost cf
the fine young fellow who rescued me
that night at Centerville. 1t will be
months before he can handle a sabre
again"
How about penn" asked Louns-
berry, Significantly. his eyes burning
into Benton's gaze as though striving
to read his innermost thoughts.
Mr.. Benton has certainly managed
to write three home letters-left-
handed. answered DR.. Chiffon, speak
ing for lis captive guest, yet slancing
nervously toward him. They were
Gully forwarded to Richmond to ne
censored. Was it there you saw them,
! Maj. Lounsberry?"
Il had reference to possibilities. doc
tor, though 1 am not acquainted with
| the lieutenants left handwriting. II
| would be injudicious, for instance. not
| to say ungrateful TO those who have
| shielded him, were he to answer the
letter he found at the old side gate of
the garden, Monday EVENING""
The hot blood leaped to Benton
face. Lounsberry had spoken with
the cool deliberation of one absolutely
sure of his ground. The doctor turned
and stood gazing at his guest as though
expecting him promptly to deny the
imputation. From the stairway came
the sound of faint rustic as though
Rosalie shrank still further away. and
Benton felt. rather than saw that her
eyes were fixed upon him in mingled
scrutiny and Indignation. The silence
was painful and Benton broke it.
There was nothing new in the
note. doctor" said he, purposely ig-
noring the staff officer. 1T was to tell
me-what l already suspected and.
since this gentleman's arrival. have
felt sure of-that | was to be sent To
Richmond. Do not let it worry you
| have been preparing for it, and now
| am quite ready to CO."
For the life OF him as the sentence
closed he could not avoid shooting one
swift glance at the stairway to note
the effect of his words The major
saw, turned and finding that from
where he stood the landing and stair
way were hidden from view. stepped
quickly forward. Benton instantly did
| the same, and almost breast to breast
| they met there in the middle of the
| room-the blue and the gray-the fire
| flashing in the eyes of each There
| was tde sound of whisking drapery. a
| SOFT swish along stair and balcony rail.
ana in an instant RoSalie had darted
To the landing and out of sight. A
half smile, contemptuous and cutting,
played about the confederate's lips.
He gave no sign whatever that he had
heard. He addressed himself to Ben
ton:
Il presume you have burned that
note, sir, and therefore have nothing
with which to back your statement.
but | take you at your word. You are
ready to go, you say; be ready to start
then at six in the morning"
My dear major" broke in DR.. Chill
| ton. Surely YOU"
Those are my orders, doctor
have no volition," answered Louns-
| berry, coldly. And now if | NAV saw
adieu to Jack I'll leave you to such
| preparation as may be necessary. The
guard will call for Mr.. Benton at six.
| l go myself TO Gordonsville tonight. &"
With that Maj. Lounsberry turned
haughtlly away, as though the posi-
bility of further talk with a federal
| prisoner was something intolerable.
Inc doctor. stunned and silent. looked
| heiplessly from one to the other. and
again it was Benton who spoke re-
assuring word. Cordially he held forth
| his one free hand
It's all right. doctor" said he. "You
and Miss Chiffon have pulled me round
tamously. | can stand Libby diet now
just as well as anybody. and I'm bet
ing on speedy exchanges Then-our
Fellows will be doing something now"
ne added. with significant smile
Who knows but they may gather in
game as big as that" with a laughing
nod toward the respondent major.
Or, is he, like so many of our staff
only Tor duty at the rear?" And Ben
ton meant that Lounsberry should
hear. and hear he did and flushed red
under the taunt.
10 not Judge our methods by tho
little you know of yours. Mr. Benton 3"
he retorted. albeit with admirable
self-control. Then. as though again
determined to ignore the northerner.
may ! be permitted a word with
Lieut.. Chiffon, doctor?" a question
which seemed TO recall the doctor to
himself and left Benton TO his own
| devices. Without another glance a,
the unwelcome visitor the latter turned
and assembled the stairs 20 the second
story. and there, in the dim light of
a night lamp. by the eastward window.
stood the girl he longed TO see and
speak with. and she who had avoided
now came half timidly forward as
though 10 meet him.
From the neiebborhcod Of her aunfs
door and her own. and close to the
| westward windows Roeatio Cbito, "a