Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-11
opyrlght. isO2. By G. w. Dillingham; Co.

Sname-StrlcEen caught in the act
the three marauders faced the rescu-
ing party and sheepishly, foolishly, fur
lively glanced about them. from the
tall staff officer to the grnning COM
rades at his back.
Are these your missing men, ser
geant % demanded Benton
They are. sir
What Go they owe you, sir?' de-
manded the aide. turning to the ell
derby man at the sideboard who was
nursing bruised throat, yet looking
infinitely thanStul
They don't owe me-'cept for a few
drinks of peach-Td a given them that
gladly if they'd said they were dry
and hadn't any money, but when it
came to takin' the demijohn | lowed
1T was robbery"
How dare you men break in here?"
demanded Benton, sternly. You know
the orders against plundering Take
their names, sere cant. and turn them
over to the guard when you overtake
the regiment"
May | say word. sir?" asked one
of the trio, stepping forward. with a
shifty salute, for all three seemed So
bered by their plight
Say on"
We didn't break in. sir. The door
was open, the light in the window. We
were down here before eight o'clock
with the sergeant. trying to find news
OF the young lady, and this fellow can
tell about her and won't tell. It was
that We came to see about. He set I'M
the peach to keep us from 'peaching,'
and the scamp had the impudence to
grin over his own conceit.
'Tane those men outside" ordered
Benton, implacably. and ask DR.. Chill
ton tc step in here a moment I'm
afraid you're hurt" he continued. for
the man had turned pale and was lean
ing against the sideboard for support.
AT the sound of the name Chiffon" he
started and glared. Obediently the SER
geant marched his prisoners to the
outer air, and, presently. in came the
doctor One quick glance passed be-
tween him and the rallid Virginian.
You here now. Jenningsi" cried the
newcomer; and hurt? How did II
happen? When did you get here?
Have you seen-do you know anything
of Rosalie?'' and by this time his prac-
tced finger was at the others pulse
the other who for all reply glanced sig
nificsntly. warpingly towe.rd Renter
and seemed striving to bid his friend
DE silent. But the doctor was all IN
! patience
Speak man! This gentleman is a
friend-a friend in need. You have
seen her. Is she safe? Is she harmed p
Sale" was the sententious answer,
with still another significant look, dis
regarded as before by Chiffon.
But what does it mean? WHY
Should she leave Henry's? She was
TO take care of her brother till | re-
turned. Had anybody dared-affront
her-there? Where is She. Jennings?
Answer me, mani"
But despite the almost agonized ap-
peal, despite the assurance that BEN
ton, though in the garb of the enemy
was yet a friend, the Virginian could
not reply. Wait, doctor-wait till
You see Judge Armistead. He'll tell
you the hull story. He's coming over
from Hopewell this evening"
Judge Armistead-here? And she
went with him, do you mean--and left
my BOY! Why, Jennings, | can't be-
lieve it,"
And then the Hoosier sergeant again
came to the door
sharp firing, lieutenant, south OF
us! Shall / follow Maj. May or turn
AFTER the guard toward the Lewis
placer"
Leaving the two Virginians Benton
stepped outside. The moon was inst
peeping above the trees toward the
distant heights of Centrevine and near
Dy objects were become more readily
visible In the faint and mystic light.
somewhere TO the south-toward the
Junctlon-Stuart's yenturesome troop
erS had come in view of SLOWLY retir
ing parties of the Western brigade and
fairly brisk fusliade was the result.
FOR a moment the officer listened to
the splteful crackle of carbine and rifle,
tnen answered the question. Better
follow the major-and lively. too. I'll
catch you before you've gone a quarter
OF a mile
lie felt that it was now unsafe to re-
turn to the Henry house. The guard
was gone. The chances were that with
In few minutes Stuart's TROOPERS
would be coming up the Sudley ROAD
from the south. He would say a word
OF farewell to DIR. Chiffon, then follow
MS men. Leaving the horses with the
orderly in front, he once more turned.
and as he entered the rear room. stop
ping most excited conversation, he
was amazed to see the back door
winch had been shut and barred three
minutes before, swiftly closing behind
slender figure in the trim frock of
gray-the uniform of the confederate
service. He saw the same form flash
py the northward window, and instead
OF pursuing, whirled about. spranr
through the front door and round to the
westward side of the house Just miss
ing collision with a painting corporal
VINO cried, "Reb officer ran down this
way from the Henry house Me and
links followed" All in an instant
then his suspicious were confirmed