Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-01-28

"Quick!" he cried. Let me take Miss
Elinor round to Judge Meredith's.
She's safe there. Come-come, Eli
nor" he pleaded, with outstretched
hand. But the blue eyes looked him
over with utter indifference. She
would not even vouchsafe reply.
What in heavens name have you
done, MeKinnon" cried the father.
Surely you ought to have known it
was playing with FIRE to arouse these
rufhans. Go in doors, child" he con-
tinusd. turning suddenly to her. But
now 1t was McKinnon who detained.
"Stopl You must see," said he.
Here Is what came for him this very
night Now do you believer"
Benton took the heavy envelope ex-
tended TO him. 1t bore the st. Louis
postmark. 1t had been sliced open
with knife. 1t was addressed to
Paul Ladue, Esq, bookseller and sta
honer, East Water street, -, and it
contained another envelope still sealed
and unbroken, addressed in round,
clerkly hand to First Lieut. Paul La
due, Eleventh Alabama infantry, and
bore at the upper left hand corner the
letters so often used in the old days
Of the old army, o. p. 8. ION public
servfcc), instead OF the later shibbo-
leth Of the war department. "oficiar
business"
cit is fatal" said the veteran law
yer, with a gasp of dismay.
'It is forgery" said Fred, his son,
whereat McKinnon started as though
stung. And now the mob, headed by
Hugh Gale, came swarming to their
gate, and their spokesman, in his re-
sounding basso, addressed himself to
the master.
Squire Benton, 1t is my belief that
the man we want is hidden here on
your premises. Your son has long been
his most intimate friend. Mr.. Ladue
invited our committee to enter and
search. Will you do the same? Or
are you going to shelter rebel spies and
traitors?"
"You are not going to enter and
search" answered Benton, sturdy.
This city has been my home since
it was a mere village. This is my
home, and by the eternal, you shall
not violate IT.
Shut up!" yelled the crowd. Go
ahead, Gale. We're with you" and
suiting action to word two of their
number leaped down upon the flower
beds and came lunging out across the
grass plot. In an instant Fred Benton,
breaking from Elinor's restraining
hands, sprang to confront them, and
without a word, sent his clinched fist
~ h. 10 n
him among the pansies. His fellows
recoiled to the fence, and a howl of
mingled wrath and admiration went
up from the mob. Then somebody
picked up huge clod from a pile Of
soft, fresh-cut sod that stood by the
tree box at the edge of the gutter, and
with practiced hand hurled it at Nc
Kinnon. 1t took that portly counselor
'twixt midriff and gorge, just as n
bulky vegetable, hurting through gas
lit space, landed full on his distended
cheek
Thea of a sudden there arose from
| the throats OF the mob a yell of tri-
umph and rejoicing. for at the head OF
the steps stood Paul Ladue, facing
them with flashing eyes and without
II CluOl. lnSldUL anu DoIOrS
Fred could interpose, light and agile,
he bounded down the steps, across the
lawn and vaulted to the ffat-topped
fence at the corner, lighting like cat
on his feet. and confronted them.
who accuses me-and of what am I
| accused?" he cried.
You're a damned spy" Rebel
Traitor" Here, give us that let
ter, Squire" were the yells from the
crowd. And then big Gale, the black
smith, tore a way round to the side
and waved under the pale, quivering
face McKinnon's contribution to the
evenings disturbance-the letter he
would now have been glad to with
draw. What have you to say to this,
Mr.. Lieut.. Paul Ladue, Eleventh Ala
bama?"
81 say it's forgery and lie!" was
the ringing answer.
| ANY man would, fixed as you are
! doomed the blacksmith. do you deny
( corresponding with your rebel crowd
in Alabama, too?"
mo, and you can see their letters
my time you wish"
Damn their lettersi" shouted Gale
Then facing the crowd. Fellow citi.
zens. what shall we do with him?"
Up went a chorus OF curses and yells
in the midst of which Fred Benton
sprang to the fence beside his friend
and his father vainly shouted, beggins
to be heard. You be quiet, Squire. >
answered the nearmost. I'VE dom
want you-you're all right" FREQ
was felled by stone that struck hin
full in the forehead. Paul Ladue'.
legs were jerked from under him anC
he was dragged, struggling and strik
Ing at every face within reach, ant
borne away. the vortex of a whirlpool
Of raging humanity whose hoars,
shoutings gradually died to distan
roar as they surged onward down tn,
slope to Market square. Benton an,
McKinnoA vainly following, implor