Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-18

and peered down into the dim depths
below, and then came the soft hail
In tones he felt sure he knew-Black
Dan s-Dan whom he had heard sing
ing ana doing chores about the sheds
and gardens for days past: "Fo' Gawd.
Marse Benton, f you doan come quick
dis horse1l Spite de whole business"
Then another voice-a mere whisper
half drowned by the sweep of the wind
In the trees-Pomp's quavering tenor.
10 doan need fotch nawthin.' Marse
Benton. We've got everythin' hyuh."
Then came sudden scurry without.
Tor midway to the barn soft, low
whistle sounded, and almost instantly
Benton heard the sound of hoofs again.
Ihey were hurriedly leading a horse
or two horseS-away. A lantern swung
lmpatiently at the corner Of the barn
somebody was surely signaling.
Something prompted hin. by way of
answer to blow out his candle, to thrust
the notes--both scraps of paper-into
convenient pocket, then to kneel by
the window and watch and listen
Almost instantly the lantern dis
appeared, and there were five minutes
OF silence. Then. as he knelt and
watched and waited and all was still
without and his darkey aides-de-camp
made no further hail, suddenly he
heard the cyeak behind him of a door
cautiously opening, and, looking over
his shoulder in the dim ghostly light
sitting through The balustrade from the
floor below, he was able to discern a
tall, slender form coming noiselessly,
cautiously, straight to his now wide
open door. Rosalie beyond a doubt,
and she believed him gone!
Go then he must! Athlete that he
had been, ever since boyhood, it was
no trick at all TO swing, even one
handed. on SO thick rod His heavy
gauntlet was already on, and, just as he
reached forth to grasp the iron, his
practiced ear caught the stealthy tread
of spurred boots on the path below
coming from the back gate-the way
to the barn. Another moment and,
distinctly, in a sudden lull of the
breeze, he heard low, cautious voice
In half murmur. half whisper. Words
were indistingushable, but he knew
the tones-Lounsberry beyond ques-
ton, and Lounsberry hailing in ex-
pectation of finding there an accom-
plice.
Not second could he lose nowi To
go 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 cry of alarm. Quick, light
and 1.-the as a panther he spranS to
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, fol
(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
fiuttering on his breast. For a moment
she was too dazed to use her strength,
then, through her set teeth, savagelS
as he had spoken, she Kissed at him.
while slender fingers tore at his muscu-
lar hand:
Let me go, 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
eff. Then, springing past him, Keeling
bit, but desperate and determined,
flew to the window, knelt and listened.
leaving him faltering one moment at
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 it was Lounsberry's
voice, and Lounsberry had found his
fellow spy, and with amazing conf
dence and fiuency was Pomp replying.
Oh, what glibness of guile,
Yeas, sub. | don tole him so. He
cum down the back stayuhs an outen
de back do mos an hour ago. an TO-
We could show him de way, sub, Miss
Rosalie come tayin after him, an
draw'd him back into de house againi"
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
HIGH
You imp of hell! If you are lying
I'll skin you alivei Whose horses were
those in the side lot as / came up?"
demanded Lounsberry.
'Fo' Gawd, captain, | do knowi
Dey wasn't ouhs-ouhs is in de balm,
sub. Take de key and see TO yo'self.
Hyuh's the dochtuh now. subj"
stream of yellow light had sh OF
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 at this
hour, you black rascal, and with whom
are you talking? Maj .Lounsberry!"
and with amaze and dismay in his voice
the old Virginian faced his unlocked
for visitor
Il do not wonder at your surprise.
DOCTOR" promptly replied the staff
officer, stepping forward into the little