Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-11
CHAPTER VII.
A Ms DARINC

With infinite sympathy Benton and
the orderlies aided DIR. Chiffon to har-
ness his horses TO the old fashioned,
side-seated, half bus. half ambulance
he had brought with him from Warren.
ton-borrowed from some field hos
pital, as the best available vehicle in
which to go for and convey his
wounded boy. The doctor was tremu-
lous with dread and distress on account
of his beloved daughter, and utterly
unable to account for her strange dis
appearance
lie drove away, with all speed toward
stone bridge, pass and papers in his
outer pocket, SO as to be able tS,
promptly show his credentials to any
SentrleS or patrols, and Benton was
trying, half an hour later. TO satisfac-
torlly account for what he had heard
and thought he had seen that day.
when Carver came for him to say his
morse was dead lame. He had been
directed to remain behind and to see
the last detachments across the Run.
then to rejoip the chief as soon as he
had found Benton. This. therefore
was Benton's chance and he begged.
Let me go back" said he. and Won
take your orderly's horse. if you can't
get another, and report to the general
In the morning"
And so, about ten O'Clock Fred had
reached the stone bridge, found it
held by small guard and with that
guard was young officer who had been
at the Robinson and Henry houses two
hours before and had heard all about
the circumstances connected with Miss
Chilton's disappearance-had indeed
been there for some time and had seen
her. She had come to the rear doc,
with Mr.. Henry about FIVE o'clock. and
very sweetly and smiingly had told
the guards her brother was sleeping at
last and that she needed little fresh
air. Lieut.. Ferguson was in command
OF the guard, And you know what an
eye for pretty girl Ferguson has ~
and he begged her to consider the pre-
misses hers, and probably wanted 70
walk with her, but for 20 minutes she
tripped about the old. dismantIed
garden, going all around il as though
interested in what was left of the
holiyhocks and sunflowers. and. about
six, Lewis came ana called her and
said supper was ready. and she seemed
reluctant to SO in. but nnally yielded.
telling Ferguson that if there were 70
objections she would finish her walk
later. l. might be dark and chilly. bur
ne eS<Sw Che garden now and would
Hnrow shawl over her head. Ferguson
SAID, BY all means" and sure enough
rect after dark. out she came again
siir' and fragile looking, but well
wrapped up, and Henry begged her not
10 stay out long. We saw her fitting
about in the dim light of the camp
IRE and lanterns a moment or two.
Chen she seemed 10 take to the outer
edge OF the enclosure, and then. by
JoVe, she disappeared totally. They
hunted everywhere, and while thew
We're hunting Capt. Carver rode up
with orders for Ferguson and was told
what had happened. He was COM
pelied to leave at once, but the search
continued. 1T is perfect mystery -
said the lieutenant, removing his cap
and wiping his brow.
Then while they were talking the
sentries challenged at the bridge. and.
TO the amaze of Benton, who should
appear but old DR.. Chiffon with his
country omnibus and the strange ex-
PLANTATION that he had lost the road
Sot way south toward the lower fords
and had been turned back by no less a
parsonage than Gen. Anger. whom he
mad met at Washington several years
pefore when the general was a cap
tain or regulars. Benton's guarantee
10 the guard was sufficient, and they
let the doctor go on his westward way
and Benton went with him that he
might give the anxious father these
further particulars us they trotted
along the dim, shadowy vista of the
famous old thoroughfare. Benton had
determined now to revisit the Henry
house and make still further inyesti-
cation.
But he never reached it, Pushing
westward along the pike they noted
that all was darkness about the old
Robinson place on the rise to the south.
and then were surprised to see lights
nittng about the stone house, close to
The road on the right hand side. Then
voices in excited tones were heard
within. Two or three were harsh and
threatening, one was uplisted in min
sled plea and protest, and then, from
the direction of the Sudley road, only
a lew yards away, came shadow
forms, just visible under the starlight.
Halt! was the instant order from
Benton's lips, low, yet commanding,
and his revolver seemed 20 leap from
the holster ''Who are your"
Patrol-Nineteenth Indiana" was
the prompt answer. lis that Won
Lieut.. Benton? Three of our fellows
strayed away, and the captain ordered
me down here to look EN- up. They've
called In the guard at the Henry house
where you were this afternoon.
Your men are herein this house.
and you're just in time, / fancy" for
now there were sounds of scuffie and
violence. Benton was off his horse in
a second and, followed by the SER
geant and two or three men, buried
himself at the door, which gave way
before his impetuous rush, and in an